Hyperactive Children: Whose fault is it?

The topic is not a new one - or again, perhaps it is. Abnormal behaviour in children is quite often due to adverse reactions to food, and more often than not to a lack in certain nutrients. More than twenty years ago, Abram Hoffer and Morton Walker published their book "Orthomolecular Nutrition" (Keats Publishing Inc., New Canaan) based on numerous clinical tests which bore evidence of the mind-nutrition link. Many other books and articles have since been printed (see bibliography in footnotes), pointing to new aspects of the same problem. Children with learning disabilities and "strange" behaviour very often return to normal after diet change. Discovery of neurotransmitters in food was another step to better understanding the affects on our mind of our food intake. Notwithstanding the considerable amount of studies and publications in this field, the ever-increasing number of hyperactive children, those with learning disabilities and the socially inept is increasing at such an accelerated rate as to create serious problems not only in families and schools but also with public authorities. Could it be the "sugar blues"? It might well be. Hypoglycemia, i.e. low blood sugar, is a widespread condition, even in the smallest of children, and often goes unrecognized (or undiagnosed). A child could easily be categorized as being listless, with no interest in school, or easily distracted and unable to maintain concentration on a subject, where as ... his or her brain is incapable of functioning properly due to "insufficient fuel". "How can this be? The brain needs sugar, and my child eats a good deal of sugar" a parent might respond. But this is exactly the switch point. What our brain needs continually, besides oxygen, is glucose, non saccharose. After consumption of foods or beverages containing (industrial) sugar, i.e. saccharose in an isolated form, the blood sugar level will soar within minutes, and the pancreas in turn, will supply large amounts of insulin. Very quickly insulin will not only do the job, but will do more: it will lower blood sugar levels far below normal. This willtrigger an immediate craving for more candy ... more soft drink, and a chain reaction will follow. Frequent consumption of food or beverages containing sugar can easily induce hypoglycemia as an almost constant condition. A slower reaction in blood sugar levels is induced by starchy foods, but there are differences even here. It is far better to consume whole grain cereals, since these will maintain a steady level, whereas white bread, white rice, white noodles etc. are also responsible for excessive variations, even though not as extreme as sugar. Another problem which cannot be over-estimated is the excess of animal protein in the SAD (Standard American Diet) which is more or less the same in all industrialized countries. Studies made among others in an institutefor criminals under 18 have shown that there is a direct relationship between excess protein intake, especially of animal origin and if combined with sugary and white flour products, and the rate of aggressivity. In any case, excess protein, especially of animal source, can be the cause of a number of health conditions such as kidney trouble, which may be detected much later, when organic damage is irreversible. Allergies and Intolerances This is another topic often ignored by physicians. "True" food allergies are easily detected: a skin rash after consumption of strawberries is a classic to which everyone would easily attribute allergy, and specific blood tests reveal the antibodies produced "in defence". Food intolerance is much more deceptive. They can lead to a great number of symptoms, usually not thought to be due to food. These symptoms can become evident up to 30 hours or more after the questioned ingredient has been introduced. In case of hyperactivity or difficulty in prolonged concentration, a food intolerance should be suspected. Experts say that at least one of every two American school children suffer from intolerance toone or more food substances. The blood tests used for allergies do not reveal this problem. Specifictests must be run, but most towns have medical specialising in detection. One symptom common to most children with food intolerance is an extreme addiction to a particular food or drink. A child likely will become quite irritable or impatient if he/she cannot have it. In keeping with the "drug effect" is the phenomena of "withdrawal" crisis! There are several things parents can do: Rotation diet. Avoid giving the children (and also yourself) the same substances daily. This is one method of determining which ingredient is responsible for the symptoms, and it is THE way to give rest to the immune system. Contrary to allergies, food intolerance does not require eliminating for the rest of their lives. It just has to be avoided for a number of days, and can be ingested on others (according to the doctor's instructions). Normally, after a few months or a year at most, it can be reintroduced at more frequent intervals. Muscle test. When our bodies come into contact with a harmful substance, muscles will weaken immediately. Inquiry can be made of a doctor specialising in kinesiology to instructing you in the muscle test. Otherwise, practice this for yourself: Have your child hold one arm out straight and then try pushing it down. Once determination is made of the strength necessary to push it down, let the child have a bite or sip of something you suspect as being harmful to him. If the substance in question is the culprit, the arm will go down without resistance when pushed on. Lacking in some nutrient? Strangely enough, children (and adults, too, of course) in industrialised countries are overfed and ... undernourished! Most industrial food has been processed in various ways, to such an extent that the greatest part of micro nutrients, for example vitamins and minerals, have been eliminated. Supplementing may be a solution in cases of emergency, but should not be done without a doctor's prescription, possibly after specific testing (of the hair, for example).But normally all nutrients should be supplied by healthy food! The less processed and more natural and fresh a staple, the healthier it is. Do children like wholesome food?With TV and other media filled with publicity ... tantalising the children with snacks, it may appear an impossible task to convince them. But usually parents are surprised at the intelligence of their offspring when it comes to practical issues. A few strategies you might try: Offer healthy alternatives. Always leave trays of fresh fruit and bowls of nuts or almonds in "strategic" locations, where children pass most often. Keep whole grain bread on hand. Try to have various types of bread; various forms and ingredients can turn out to be most appetising. For example, bread with raisins could easily substitute bread and jam in the morning. Keep the less healthy foods out of sight. Try to avoid, or at least limit your purchase of them. Prepare good-looking snacks and meals. Fresh fruit and vegetables have very appealing colours; present them at their best. In any case, avoid sermons. The muscle test may convince children whose interest is in sports; when a proper meal might make the difference between winning or losing, they may be willing to give it a try. In an effort to avoid "blemishes",girls may try to "diet" (on healthy foods, of course) for a few days prior to a party. Literature: Orthomolecular Psychiatry, D. Hawkins, L. Pauling; Freeman Publ, San Francisco, Ca./USA The Orthomolecular Approach to learning diability, Academic Therapy Pub., S. Rafael, Ca./USA The Saccharine Disease, John Wright and Sons; Bristol/UK The Food Connection, M. Schachter, D. Sheinkin, R. Hutton; The Bobbs Merrill Company, Indianapolis/USA Why your Child is Hyperactive? B. Feingold; Random House, New York/USA Order your books via the IVU book stall to support veg organisations! Gudrun Dalla Via Via Buccari I-20025 Legnano/MI Italia Tel. +39-0331-54.02.54