Transcript from Ockham's Razor broadcast Sunday 11 November 2001 with Robyn Williams Summary: Dietitian Joan Breakey talks about developments since Dr. Ben Feingold, in 1973, first linked diet and hyperactivity. Transcript: Robyn Williams: One of the biggest controversies of the 1970s was about hyperactivity in children, their diet and the advice of American scientist Dr Ben Feingold. So whatever happened to the Feingold diet? In Brisbane, Joan Breakey tells the tale. Joan … [Read more...]
Pain as a symptom of food intolerance
We have often seen symptoms such as infant eczema, chronic daily headaches, related to diet, or heard that diet can be one of the migraine treatments, or natural remedies for ADHD and some other food intolerance symptoms. Now it is time to think of pain itself as another important symptom that changes with diet. In May 2010 I listened to a well presented talk on reflux in babies and children by a senior paediatric Gastroenterologist at RCH Brisbane. He reported that the amount of distress in … [Read more...]
History of Joan’s work with diet and ADHD
Joan Breakey M AppSc BSc DNFS Cert Diet TTTC. APD [Accredited Practicing Dietitian] My experience of work in the area of Diet and ADHD now spans 35 years. Work began in 1975 in Queensland, after Feingold’s Hypothesis in the US First group closely followed - 75 families – reported in Australian Family Physician 1978. I also followed up diet use in self help groups, attending meetings and discussion groups for over 20 years, meeting or hearing from many families allowing … [Read more...]
Introducing foods to a food sensitive baby
Question: Can you give me some advice on introducing solids to my baby. She is 20 weeks old, breastfed, and has silent reflux. I commenced an elimination diet as I was convinced he also had an allergy/intolerance to something in my diet. I reduced my diet to lamb, turkey, zucchini, squash, potato, sweet potato, brown rice and rice products (rice milk, rice cakes, etc). I would really appreciate if could get some advice from you regarding introducing foods back into my diet. I have … [Read more...]
Important references on amines in food
Thanks to dietitian Fiona Florakx for her extensive literature search. Allen DH, Van Nunen S, Loblay R, Clarke, L. Adverse reactions to food. The Medical Journal of Australia 1984; Sept; Special supplement : S37-S42. Provides documentation of amine exclusion as part of elimination diet in Australia in 1984 Breakey J. Dietary management of the hyperkinetic syndrome. 1977 Brisbane Yeast extracts, tomatoes excluded re histamines as well as chocolate; and overripe … [Read more...]
Amine diet investigation
The following guidelines are provided where amines, particularly tyramine, are suspect in headaches, migraines or other food sensitivity symptoms. Amines should not be the only exclusions since where they cause reactions other food chemicals are also likely to also be a problem. These include additive colours, flavours, preservatives, monosodium glutamate, and natural salicylates. So diet investigation should begin with a low chemical elimination diet such as that outlined in Are You Food … [Read more...]
Question from Kelly
Question: I’ve found this site really interesting. I think I have a tyramine sensitivity, but I have never met anyone with the exact symptoms as me. After eating something high in Tyramines, I wake up in a confused state from sleeping. I am panicked, my heart is racing and it takes about 5-10 minutes for me to get back to reality. I’ve worked out that figs, aubergines, over ripe bananas, gravy powder are dangerous for me, and I am still learning what else is. It is very frightening waking up in … [Read more...]