Dear Joan, I bought the Professional's Food Sensitivity Pack online recently. Prior to buying the manual I bought a 21 Day Holistic Detox and followed the diet in that. It made a huge difference to my moods, headaches, energy levels and mouth ulcers. After that I sought an evidence-based elimination diet and came across your resources. I am no longer on the original detox diet (not consistently anyway). I obviously already know that elimination of certain foods make a big difference to me. … [Read more...]
Development of thinking in food chemical intolerance
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...]
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...]
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...]
Reflux Reality: a guide for families
Book review - REFLUX REALITY A GUIDE FOR FAMILIES by Glenda Branch in Association with the Reflux Infants Support Association (RISA) Reflux in an infant is a surprise when it happens. Usually it is an unpleasant, even overwhelming, surprise. Very few of us expect our baby to have reflux. So dealing with it is not part of normal skills or information everybody has. So putting much of the information in one book is a blessing for those who have to go through a rapid learning curve, either … [Read more...]