New link between E-numbers and hyperactivity

Published: The Independent 6 September 2007

Additives in sweets and soft drinks made by multinational companies have been found to cause hyperactivity in children, prompting renewed calls for a ban on E-numbers. Primary school children tested by Southampton University were more restless when they drank a mixture of six colourings and one preservative.

The study strengthens a link between additives and behavioural difficulties first mooted in the 1970s, but establishes for the first time that they cause hyperactivity among normal infants. In the study, published in the Lancet, 153 three-year-olds and 144 eight-year-olds in Southampton were randomly given daily fruit juice drinks, some containing additives and some containing a placebo.

The chemicals used were two combinations of the colourings sunset yellow (E110), tartrazine (E102), carmoisine (E122), ponceau 4R (E124), allura red (E129), quinoline yellow (E104), and the preservative sodium benzoate (E211). Soft drinks containing the preservative E211 include Pepsi Max, Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper, while the other E-numbers are to be found in many sweets and cakes.

The children in the study showed higher signs of hyperactivity, switching activities, interrupting or talking too much, and fiddling with objects or their own body. In the Lancet, Professor Jim Stevenson, who led the study, wrote: ‘The present findings, in combination with the replicated evidence for the artificial food colour and additives effects on the behaviour of three-year-old children, lent strong support for the case that food additives exacerbate hyperactive behaviours.’

Dr Andrew Wadge, the Food Standards Agency's chief scientist, said: ‘If a child shows signs of hyperactivity or ADHD, then eliminating the colours used in the Southampton study from their diet might have some beneficial effects.’

Additives

Maynard’s Wine Gums: E104, E122, E129

Pepsi Max: Sodium Benzoate (E211)

Haribo Star Mix: E104, E110, E124

Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape (Snappy Strawberry flavour): E129

Flumps: E104, E129

Oasis Summer Fruits: E122 and sodium benzoate (E211)

Gourmet jelly beans: E102, E110, E129

Fruit salad bar (Barratt): E104, E124, E122

The Simpson’s peach water: H2O Sodium benzoate (E211)

Case Studies

I knew a boy years ago who was diagnosed with ADHD. His mother removed all the food and drinks containing additives from his diet. She increased his intake of fresh fish as children with ADHD are often lacking in omega 3 essential oil as contained in oily fish and only gave him natural food. He was given vitamins and minerals from the Nature’s Sunshine Herbasaurs range including Bifidophilus For Kids. He was also given a teaspoonful of flaxseed oil every day, which is another good source of omega 3. He became a different child in a matter of weeks.

A nine-year-old was diagnosed with ADHD. A homeopath identified many food allergies and sugar definitely had her bouncing off the walls. She always had a chronic constipation problem and if she hadn't had a bowel movement in several days her ADHD symptoms would get worse because the toxins accumulating in her bowels were being reintroduced back into her system. She was given natural constipation remedies, calcium and other minerals including manganese. Once she got the foods to which she was intolerant out of her diet and started having regular bowel movements her symptoms began to reduce. This little girl is now 11 and no longer shows signs of ADHD.

If you want copies of any previous newsletters you can visit my website at www.optimumhealth.co.uk

Contact Lynne at lynne.gully@optimumhealth.co.uk or tel: 0030 28920 42356

Recurring Strep Throat

The following health query was sent to Dr Jonathan V. Wright, a consultant for Nutrition and Healing.

“My grandson has had three cases of strep throat since November. The antibiotics help him get over it, but they don't seem to be doing much to keep it from happening again. Is there anything I can tell my son and his wife to do for him that will at the very least help cut down on the recurrences?

Dr Jonathan V. Wright: Recurrent strep throat can be significantly reduced or even stopped altogether by eliminating – not just reducing, but eliminating – all milk and other dairy products. I learned this years ago from a book titled ‘Don't Drink Your Milk!’ by Dr. Frank Oski, former director of the department of paediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US. Since then, I've found time and time again that it really works.”

Many children are intolerant to cow’s milk but often have no problems with goat’s milk. Spinach, kale, broccoli, watercress, parsley, green cabbage, nuts (especially almonds) and seeds are great sources of calcium if you are concerned about cutting out milk.

Childhood Constipation

A new pilot study investigated the potential of probiotics to alleviate childhood constipation – a condition that can affect up to 30% of children in the Western world.

Twenty constipated children (50 per cent male, average age 8) were recruited for the study and assigned to receive a daily probiotic supplement containing four billion colony-forming units for four weeks.

It was found that the frequency of bowel movements doubled over the weeks following the start of probiotic supplements.

Moreover, a decrease in abdominal pain reported by the children was recorded, going from 45 per cent at the start of the study to only 20 per cent after four weeks of supplementation.

It is imperative that the gut flora is winning the battle between good bacteria and bad bacteria and it is recommended that ADHD children have probiotics, omega 3's and vitamin support.

Dr William Crook, a leading paediatrician, claims that approximately three-quarters of his small patients' behavioural disorders can be directly attributed to food sensitivity. He cites milk and refined cane sugar as the leading offenders, and also includes citrus, soy products, eggs, corn and wheat among others.

Hyperactive Children's Support Group

If you are concerned about your child you can contact the Hyperactive Children's Support Group run by Sally Bunday at www.hacsg.org.uk. Sally has been advising parents and professional carers for over 30 years, looking at the connection between ADHD and diet and nutritional deficiencies.

In fact it was Sally and her Mum who first researched the importance of essential fatty acids like Omega 3. The organisation is extremely well respected and advised by the best nutritional and allergy doctors in the country. Many children previously on Ritalin have been found to have nutritional problems and, once treated, often show huge improvement, no longer needing their medication.

Natural Supplements For Your Children

Nature’s Sunshine Herbasaurs range provides your child with valuable nutrition. All of the Herbasaurs products are free of any artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, sucrose, starches and preservatives.

You would be amazed to find that many of the Children’s vitamin supplements available in the High Street are packed full of sugar, aspartame and preservatives. Beware of vitamin supplements and drinks that claim they are sugar free. This just means they have aspartame and other potentially harmful additives.

Aspartame has been linked to a variety of health problems including birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders, epilepsy and migraines.

Herbasaurs Children’s Chewable Vitamins – contains a full day’s supply of Vitamins A, D, E, C, and the range of B vitamins together with iron. Stock no 1622.

Herbasaurs Children’s Liquid Vitamins – this orange-flavoured multi vitamin product contains everything in the chewable tablet with the addition of zinc. Stock no 3330.

Herbasaurs Children’s Chewable Antioxidants – contains beta-carotene, Vitamins C and E, Grapine (from grape seed and pine bark), liquorice flavonoids and Lycopene. Natural lemon-lime flavour. This can be taken in addition to Chewable or liquid Multiple Vitamins. Stock no 3301.

Herbasaurs Chewable Bifidophilus for Kids – this milk-free probiotic supplement helps restore the balance of friendly intestinal flora to help fight infections and constipation. Natural orange flavour. Stock no 3302.

Herbasaurs Children’s Chewable Elderberry Plus – contains elderberry fruit concentrate, reishi mushroom and astragalus to help support the immune system. Flavoured with elderberry, lemon and lime. Stock no 3300.

Herbasaurs Calcium for Kids – protect your child’s muscles and bones with this pleasant tasting chewable calcium supplement, which includes a selection of minerals including magnesium, copper and manganese. Stock no 3303.

Cascara and Buckthorn Combination - this liquid herbal laxative helps alleviate constipation and is suitable for children. Stock no 1794.

Please Note

If your child has been taking the drug Ritalin or any other psychotropic drug the child must be weaned off under the care of a physician. My suggestion is to do this along with the support of a wholistic dietician, homeopath or naturopath.

To order any of these products– call Nature’s Sunshine Products on 08458 40 50 60 or the main telephone line on 01952 671600.