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...]
Diet & ADHD summary for parents
Many people have very strong views about the role of diet in ADD and ADHD. Some are positive and some are vehement there is no connection! It is important that whatever your interest or involvement with ADD you are well informed about where diet fits in. People reading this may be - people using diet - they know diet has some role and want to manage it better; people who wonder if they should consider diet - they want to know how to decide; and those who think diet is not for them, or … [Read more...]
ADHD Diet Background
Diet and ADHD What is the diet? 1974 to 1990 In 1990 I asked ‘Is the diet right yet? In 2011 not much has changed but we now have many useful finer points and detail. See Are You Food Sensitive? Which diet? For which children? Affecting which problems in hyperactivity? To what degree? For how long? These questions require a detective approach. I shall consider what has been reported in the research literature, what were the findings from the follow up of 516 families over the last 5 … [Read more...]
Supersensitivity in Food Sensitive People
When I was growing up I suppose I was like most people. I thought the amount of light, noise, smell, touch, and taste that I find acceptable was much the same as everybody else‟s. Perhaps, with a dietitian‟s interest in food, I did acknowledge that there were people we described as having a “cast iron stomach” and at the other end of the spectrum those who were food gourmets. However, when I began working with a low chemical diet I met people with a wide variety of sensitivity to all sensory … [Read more...]
Amines in food that cause migraine
Amines are a group of chemicals that often cause reactions in food sensitive people with migraines. The interesting thing is that they can also aggravate chronic daily headaches, IBS [Irritable Bowel Syndrome], ADHD, and other symptoms. The amines that most often cause reactions include tyramine, phenyl ethyl amine, tryptamine, 5-hydroxyamine, histamine, and those which you would be right if you suspect they are increased as food spoils: putrascine and cadaverine. Is there one migraine diet? No. … [Read more...]
Food industry – mild to ‘stinkin’ foods
Food with too much smell 'stinks'!! Variation in the food industry. The child who thought all smells 'stink' is very sensitive, but most food sensitive people are wise to be wary of food that has strong smells. Food suppliers are giving mixed messages. They want to invite buyers to try more flavours but at some level they must know that these greater amounts are too much for some! This is shown by one advertisement that described Ketchup as 'old school', mustard - something 'you can do better … [Read more...]