Development of thinking in food chemical intolerance – 1975 to 2005 Joan Breakey Presentation to the Dietitians Association of Australia 2006 Many people think that the role of additives and other food chemicals in conditions such as hyperactivity is confusing. This is reasonable as the claims, the research, and information available have all changed over time. Clear proof of a link between diet and attention deficit disorder [ADHD] was a long time coming, and not neat and tidy, … [Read more...]
Food additives that cause reactions
What are the food additives and natural chemicals considered suspect in Australia, UK, USA, and Canadian research? Artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, some added natural colours, as well as naturally occurring salicylates, amines and monosodium glutamate. Many researchers exclude perfumes. Here I want to share some findings about added colours and flavours from over 20 years of practice in this area. The detail is presented in my thesis and in my book “Are you food sensitive?” I … [Read more...]
Chronic daily headaches and diet
Diet can have a role in chronic daily headaches in food intolerance. The diet is not a neat and tidy list of foods. What is right for a particular person can be clarified with diet investigation using the diet detective process which allows each person to develop their own diet. This can be part of the natural cures for headaches. The foods that contribute to the headaches are somewhat different in different people. To make it more complex there are no tests to show which foods may … [Read more...]
The role of diet in ADHD in children and adults
Is there a particular ADHD diet for children? Can diet provide a treatment for ADHD without medication? What is known? Diet does help many ADHD children. Over time different research teams in different parts of the world have shown that diet does help ADHD children. Because the diet needed is not exactly the same for all children and does not improve all ADHD children many professionals say it is not proven. But with what is now known you can find out if it can decrease problems such as … [Read more...]
Fussy Baby – Feeding problems or baby’s crying
The book, Fussy Baby, can help you with feeding problems or babies crying Having a fussy baby is very distressing. Many parents with babies crying wonder what is happening. Being a fussy baby can be baby’s way of showing there is some problem. Thinking about just why the baby is fussy is the first step to solving the problem. The book Fussy Baby can show you how. Something about the food Do you think there is something about the food that the baby is not coping with? This happens in … [Read more...]
Diet & ADHD Research shows connection
Review by Joan Breakey, specialist dietitian working with diet and ADHD for 30 years An important new study on Diet and ADHD was published in a key medical journal: The Lancet, in February this year: Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomised controlled study. It was conducted by Pelsser of the ADHD Research Centre in the Netherlands and her team. Overall the INCA study is another … [Read more...]
ADHD controversy
Why, after 30 years, is diet and ADHD still controversial? The blind men and the elephant a verse by John Godfrey Saxe There was six men of Hindostan, To learning much inclined Who went to see the elephant, (Though all of them were blind); That each by observation Might satisfy his mind. This old verse is an apt one for this discussion as it reminds us that when viewing anything it is important not to have limited vision. Why is the controversy about diet and ADHD still relevant … [Read more...]