Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity & ADHD is related to a problem in brain metabolism. Researchers
studied adults who had been hyperactive since childhood and who were parents of
hyperactive children. They found reduced activity in those areas of the brain that
control attention and movement.
In the early 1970's Dr. Feingold proposed that much of the hyperactivity involved
with learning disabilities could be attributed to food additives. He believed that
removing synthetic colors and flavors, as well as certain fruits and vegetables
containing "salicylates" from the diet could treat behavioral disturbances. He also
speculated that foods, such as sugar, caused behavior changes.
Sugar & Hyperactivity
Our brain works on blood sugar, uses 20% of the carbohydrates we take it. Brain
prefers a steady supply of blood sugar and dislikes wild fluctuations. Simple
carbohydrates - processed flour products and sugary foods - cause wild fluctuations.
Thus sugar rushes into the bloodstream, which in turn triggers a balancing rush of
insulin. Which in turn puts stress on pancreas. This situation can cause the release
of adrenal hormones (called a "sugar high") that squeezes stored sugar from the
liver, sending blood sugar levels back up.
Now you're on a blood sugar roller-coaster, with "sugar highs"and "sugar blues."
The ups and downs of blood sugar and adrenal hormones can also stimulate
neurotransmitter imbalance, causing you to feel fidgety, irritable, inattentive, and
even sleepy. This is not the most conducive state for efficient brain function
Phenols: Is a type of chemical and all foods have phenols, some foods have high
phenols while some have less. When phenols cannot be processed out, they build
up in the body exerting a toxic effect. The PST sulfation pathway is necessary for
breakdown and removal of certain toxin (like phenols)in the body. The child with PST
(Phenol sulphur-transferase) has trouble processing them. So it is important to
reduce the HIGHLY phenolic foods. By doing this the child will not get overloaded in
trying to process the phenols it is getting anyway. Salicylate is also a type of phenol.
The detoxification pathway processes phenolic compounds such as salicylates,
artificial colorings, artificial flavourings and preservatives.
Phenols Sypmtoms:
Children who eat a large quantities of phenolic foods or foods containing salicylates
or additives can experience some of these negative side affects:
• Laughing at in appropriate time (at night or when something is not funny.)
• strange rashes that appear on the body
• erratic behaviors and moods
• self stimulatory behaviors
• night awakenings
• Have a difficult time with their stools (with constipation, diarrhea or undigested
foods.)
• headaches
Dr Feingold observed that there is a link between certain foods and additives, which
effect some individuals’ behaviors and ability to learn.
Feingold diet can be implemented with the combination of GFCF diet , which can
help reduces child’s hyperactivity, improves attention, focus. Etc
Foods Not Allowed on the Feingold Diet (partial list)*
Almonds cucumbers peppers
apples and pickles (bell, chili)
Apricots Currants plums, prunes
berries (all) Grapes, raisins tangerines
Cherries nectarines Tea
cloves Oranges tomatoes
coffee Peaches
*Reactions to these foods are based on unconfirmed reports, not
controlled studies.
Foods Allowed on the Feingold Diet (partial list)
Fruits - Allowed
banana Honeydew Papaya
Cantaloupe Kiwi Pears
Dates Lemons Pineapple
Grapefruit Mangoes Watermelon
Vegetables - allowed
Bean Sprouts Celery Potatoes
Beans (all types) Kale Spinach
Beets Lentils Squash
Broccoli Lettuce Sweet corn
Brussels sprouts Mushrooms Sweet potato
Cabbage Onions Zucchini
Carrots Okra Radish
Cauliflower Peas Eggplant
Banana, mangoes, watermelon : high in sugar, so we need to be careful.
Dr Feingold recommends that sweeteners such as sorbitol,mannitol, and xylitol
should be used cautiously and only in moderations, as they can cause diarrhea. He
stated that, “One must be aware that not only refined cane sugar, but all the simple
sugars, which include brown sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, molasses and even
honey, may play a role in behavior”.
Salicylate Content of Foods….
Vegetables
Very Low Low Salicylate Medium Salicylate High Salicylate
Cabbage Beans sprouts Sweet corn Eggplant
Celery Beans (all dried) Baby squash Radish
Lettuce Beets White potato Zucchini
Lentils Brussels sprouts Okra
Brococoli(B) Spinach (B)
Carrots
Cauliflowers(B)
Green beans
Mushroom
Onion
Pumpkin
Peas(B)
(B): Items marked with a (B) contain naturally occurring benzoates and should be
discontinued if symptoms are noted after eating the food.
Some kids react to green and orange foods like carrots, spinach.. so it is good idea
to start with very low salicylate and observe the reactions like behaviors and stools.
Add one at a time. Then move to low salicylate and so on…
studied adults who had been hyperactive since childhood and who were parents of
hyperactive children. They found reduced activity in those areas of the brain that
control attention and movement.
In the early 1970's Dr. Feingold proposed that much of the hyperactivity involved
with learning disabilities could be attributed to food additives. He believed that
removing synthetic colors and flavors, as well as certain fruits and vegetables
containing "salicylates" from the diet could treat behavioral disturbances. He also
speculated that foods, such as sugar, caused behavior changes.
Sugar & Hyperactivity
Our brain works on blood sugar, uses 20% of the carbohydrates we take it. Brain
prefers a steady supply of blood sugar and dislikes wild fluctuations. Simple
carbohydrates - processed flour products and sugary foods - cause wild fluctuations.
Thus sugar rushes into the bloodstream, which in turn triggers a balancing rush of
insulin. Which in turn puts stress on pancreas. This situation can cause the release
of adrenal hormones (called a "sugar high") that squeezes stored sugar from the
liver, sending blood sugar levels back up.
Now you're on a blood sugar roller-coaster, with "sugar highs"and "sugar blues."
The ups and downs of blood sugar and adrenal hormones can also stimulate
neurotransmitter imbalance, causing you to feel fidgety, irritable, inattentive, and
even sleepy. This is not the most conducive state for efficient brain function
Phenols: Is a type of chemical and all foods have phenols, some foods have high
phenols while some have less. When phenols cannot be processed out, they build
up in the body exerting a toxic effect. The PST sulfation pathway is necessary for
breakdown and removal of certain toxin (like phenols)in the body. The child with PST
(Phenol sulphur-transferase) has trouble processing them. So it is important to
reduce the HIGHLY phenolic foods. By doing this the child will not get overloaded in
trying to process the phenols it is getting anyway. Salicylate is also a type of phenol.
The detoxification pathway processes phenolic compounds such as salicylates,
artificial colorings, artificial flavourings and preservatives.
Phenols Sypmtoms:
Children who eat a large quantities of phenolic foods or foods containing salicylates
or additives can experience some of these negative side affects:
• Laughing at in appropriate time (at night or when something is not funny.)
• strange rashes that appear on the body
• erratic behaviors and moods
• self stimulatory behaviors
• night awakenings
• Have a difficult time with their stools (with constipation, diarrhea or undigested
foods.)
• headaches
Dr Feingold observed that there is a link between certain foods and additives, which
effect some individuals’ behaviors and ability to learn.
Feingold diet can be implemented with the combination of GFCF diet , which can
help reduces child’s hyperactivity, improves attention, focus. Etc
Foods Not Allowed on the Feingold Diet (partial list)*
Almonds cucumbers peppers
apples and pickles (bell, chili)
Apricots Currants plums, prunes
berries (all) Grapes, raisins tangerines
Cherries nectarines Tea
cloves Oranges tomatoes
coffee Peaches
*Reactions to these foods are based on unconfirmed reports, not
controlled studies.
Foods Allowed on the Feingold Diet (partial list)
Fruits - Allowed
banana Honeydew Papaya
Cantaloupe Kiwi Pears
Dates Lemons Pineapple
Grapefruit Mangoes Watermelon
Vegetables - allowed
Bean Sprouts Celery Potatoes
Beans (all types) Kale Spinach
Beets Lentils Squash
Broccoli Lettuce Sweet corn
Brussels sprouts Mushrooms Sweet potato
Cabbage Onions Zucchini
Carrots Okra Radish
Cauliflower Peas Eggplant
Banana, mangoes, watermelon : high in sugar, so we need to be careful.
Dr Feingold recommends that sweeteners such as sorbitol,mannitol, and xylitol
should be used cautiously and only in moderations, as they can cause diarrhea. He
stated that, “One must be aware that not only refined cane sugar, but all the simple
sugars, which include brown sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, molasses and even
honey, may play a role in behavior”.
Salicylate Content of Foods….
Vegetables
Very Low Low Salicylate Medium Salicylate High Salicylate
Cabbage Beans sprouts Sweet corn Eggplant
Celery Beans (all dried) Baby squash Radish
Lettuce Beets White potato Zucchini
Lentils Brussels sprouts Okra
Brococoli(B) Spinach (B)
Carrots
Cauliflowers(B)
Green beans
Mushroom
Onion
Pumpkin
Peas(B)
(B): Items marked with a (B) contain naturally occurring benzoates and should be
discontinued if symptoms are noted after eating the food.
Some kids react to green and orange foods like carrots, spinach.. so it is good idea
to start with very low salicylate and observe the reactions like behaviors and stools.
Add one at a time. Then move to low salicylate and so on…
