The Relation of ADHD and Food Allergies
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Many people believe there is a strong relation between ADHD and food allergies.
The food allergies and ADHD theory is controversial.
Although there are professionals who do not believe that diet has any affect on a child's ADHD, proponents of the food allergies and ADHD theory believe that a child's allergy to certain foods causes or aggravates their ADHD symptoms.
The Theory Behind Food Allergies and ADHD
People supporting the theory behind food allergies and ADHD point out that the brain is a highly complicated and sensitive organ, and that there are many foods that can have a physiological affect on the body, but not cause typical allergic reactions.
Monosodium glutamate causes some people to have severe allergic reactions, as well as the chemicals in red wine.
The food allergies and ADHD theory believes that ingesting certain foods causes an alteration to some children's brain function, and the allergic reaction manifests itself as ADHD type symptoms and behaviour.
Food Allergies and ADHD Testing
According to those who believe that some ADHD behaviour is caused by food allergies, food allergies can be present in a child even though none show up in standard allergy testing.
Many professional allergists believe that these food allergies don't exist, while proponents for the food allergies and ADHD theory believe that current allergy testing misses these allergies because they don't test the right antibodies.
Related Symptoms of ADHD and Food Allergies
Supporters of the ADHD and food allergies theory believe that many ADHD children may have negative responses to food, and these responses may be the primary cause of their ADHD.
Children who have asthma or who have tested positive for other allergies are even more likely to have food sensitivity or allergy, according to these supporters.
Supporters believe that food allergies in certain children can create symptoms such as...
- Hyperactivity
- Halitosis
- Sleep disturbances
- Migraines
- Abdominal pain
- Bed wetting
- Tantrums
- Eczema
- Seizures
- Mood changes.
It is believed that by eliminating the foods that cause food allergies, these symptoms can be relieved.
Advantages of the ADHD and Food Allergies Treatment
Supporters believe there are a number of advantages to treating ADHD symptoms with the food allergies theory over medication.
Food allergy treatment can be used on young children, where medical treatment can not begin until the child is older.
And the affects of treating a food allergy lasts all day, where typical medical treatment begins to wear off after four hours.
Identifying the Food Allergy
Supporters of the food allergy theory believe that children exhibiting ADHD behaviour benefit from an ADHD diet, which eliminates food additives, food dyes, artificial flavouring, and processed foods from the diet.
The ADHD diet also eliminates sugar, caffeine and simple carbohydrates, but encourages foods containing essential fatty acids and magnesium.
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