Symptoms of hyperactivity
About 2 to 4 percent of all children suffer from hyperactivity (or attention deficit disorder), with boys outnumbering girls about fivefold. Parents often describe the hyperactive child as being in perpetual motion—always on the move, disruptive, impulsive, and unable to concentrate. Many researchers theorize that an imbalance in brain chemistry is responsible for the abnormal behavior, but a precise cause has not been identified. In recent years, diet has been suggested as a possible cause of hyperactivity—a claim discounted by many experts. Although some nutritional deficiencies can certainly affect behavior, these almost never occur in industrialized countries, where malnutrition is seldom a problem. Also, dozens of studies have failed to prove that diet plays any role in hyperactivity. Still, many parents and even some physicians believe that, at least for some children, there is a link. The diet hypothesis was first proposed in 1973 by Benjamin Feingold, a California allergist, who blamed hyperactivity on sensitivity to certain food additives and salicylates, compounds found in fruits, some vegetables, and in aspirin. Dr. Feingold recommended eliminating from the child’s diet all foods that contain certain preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, as well as any natural sources of salicylates. Half of his hyperactive patients improved on this diet, and soon many doctors and parent groups were supporting the diet.
Although some reports suggest that an additive-free diet helps a few children, Dr. Fe in- gold’s finding of marked improvement in a significant percentage of cases has not been duplicated in scientific studies. Some pediatricians advise parents to try eliminating foods that are especially high in preservatives, dyes, and other additives—for example, hot dogs and other processed meats and some commercial baked goods—to see if there is any improvement. But avoiding all foods that Contain natural salicylares is more problematic; there is no evidence that this actually helps, and it can lead to deficiencies of vitamin C, beta carotene, and other nutrients.
