Food Additives, Food Subtractives, Food Multiples, and Food Divisions
Additives- Substance added to another as to give it a special quality.
Subtractives- Something taken from another.
Multiples- Having several or many parts, elements, or individual components.
Divisions- One of two or more parts in which something is divided.
“Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food,” wise words from Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
Food plays a major role in every aspect of our health and well-being. Whether it is used for maintaining health, correcting illnesses, or if it is a cause of a problem, it is something that has great power over our bodies. The power that comes from food is in its ability to produce change within our body and mind, both positively and negatively. This power all depends on what the food source contains and how it reacts to each individual.
Food, and its contents, are at the forefront when concerned about ADD/ADHD. The additives that are placed in foods can be either harmful or beneficial. When food is processed or over processed it can lose much of its nutritional value, nutrient subtractive. Too much of the wrong foods can leave us feeling empty or insatiable, due to empty calories. Food routines can have an deleterious or supportive effect, depending on one’s knowledge and willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle. Too much of one type of food leaves us wanting nutritionally.
Numerous studies, with respect to diet’s role in the causes of ADD/ADHD, have shown benefits from either adding certain foods or eliminating items from the diet.
Since some food additives can be very harmful, it is important to remove all sources of these additives. Some examples of harmful food additives are listed in the chart below. Some alternative names and code number are given for each additive. The names with “E” are European equivalents.
Food Additive(to avoid)
|
Comments |
Tartrazine (Yellow #5)
(E102) |
Banned in Norway and Austria. Known to provoke asthma attacks and urticaria. Linked to thyroid tumors, chromosomal damage, and hyperactivity. Can cause sensitivity to aspirin. |
Quinoline Yellow (Yellow #10) (E104) |
Banned in Australia, USA, and Norway. Can cause dermatitis. |
Yellow 7G
(E107) |
Banned in Australia and USA. Asthma sufferers may have allergic reaction to it. HACSG* recommends avoiding it. |
Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S,
(Yellow #6) (E110) |
Banned in Norway. May cause kidney tumors, chromosomal damage, urticaria, rhinitis, nasal congestion, allergies, indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. It increases the incidence of tumors in lab animals. |
Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines
(E120) |
HASCG* says to avoid it. Made from insects. |
Azorubine, Carmoisin
(E122) |
Banned in Sweden, USA, Austria, and Norway. Can cause reactions in asthmatics and people with allergies to aspirin. It is a coal tar derivative. |
Amaranth
(Red #2) (E123) |
Banned in USA, Russia, Austria, Norway, and the list of countries continues to grow. Can provoke asthma attacks, eczema, and hyperactivity. Animal studies show it causes birth defects, fetal deaths, and some cancers |
Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A
(Red #4) (E124) |
Banned in Norway and USA. Can react in asthmatics and people with allergies to aspirin. Causes cancer in lab animals. |
Erythrosine
(Red #3)(E127) |
Banned in Norway. Banned in 1990, but not recalled by US FDA. Shown to cause thyroid cancer in rats. Can cause sensitivity to light. In humans, can lead to hyperthyroidism. |
Red 2G
(E128) |
Banned in Australia and many other places except UK |
Allura red AC
(Red #40)(E129) |
Banned in Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and Denmark. Shown to cause cancer in mice. |
Patent blue V
(E131) |
Banned in Australia, USA and Norway. |
Indigotine, Indigo carmine
(Blue# 2)(E132) |
Banned in Norway. Can cause allergic reactions, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, breathing problems, and skin rashes. |
Brilliant blue FCF
(Blue #1)(E133) |
Banned in Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Belgium. |
Green S
(E142) |
Banned in Sweden, USA, and Norway. |
Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel, Ammonia caramel, Sulphite ammonia caramel
E15(a), E150(b), E150(c), E150(d) |
HACSG* recommends to avoid it. |
Brilliant Black BN, Black PN
(E151) |
Banned in Denmark, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, USA, and Norway. |
Vegetable carbon
(E153) |
Only the vegetable derived variety permitted in Australia, banned in the USA. |
Brown FK
(E154) |
Banned in US. |
Brown HT (Chocolate)
(E155) |
Banned in Norway, Austria, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and Denmark. Can produce reactions in asthmatics and people allergic to aspirin. Can cause skin sensitivities. |
Annatto (Arnatto, Annato), bixin, norbixin
E160(b) |
Known to cause urticaria, the HACSG* recommends to avoid it. |
Paprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubin
E160(c) |
Avoid, banned in some countries. |
Aluminium (UK)
Aluminum (USA)
(E173) |
Avoid, banned in some countries. |
Silver
(E174) |
Avoid, banned in some countries. |
Gold
(E175) |
Avoid, banned in some countries. |
Latolrubine BK
(E180) |
Avoid, banned in some countries. |
HACSG*= Hyperactive Children’s Support Group (www.hacsg.org.uk/)
Why are some additives banned and others aren’t? Some additives are synthetic and are known to cause problems if ingested, some are known to be toxic in high doses, while others, even though natural, can also react negatively in the body. Negativity aside, there are natural food additives that are harmless or even beneficial, such as: curcumin, riboflavin, riboflavin-5'-phosphate, chlorophylis, chlorophyllins, carotenes (alpha, beta, gamma), lycopene, lutein, beetroot red, betanin, anthocyanins, and so on, mainly the natural substances used as food coloring. These are some of the “good guys” to consume.
The synthetic additives are usually the problem causers. In April 2008, researchers at Southampton University warned that the artificial food coloring, that they studied, could be doing as much damage to children’s brains as does the lead in gasoline. These same researchers have linking the additives to behavioral problems and temper tantrums.
Over Processing Food
Foods that are consumed today are overcooked, over processed, and lacking in vital nutrients. We are replacing wholesome foods with sterile, chemically loaded foods that contain artificial flavors just to have longer shelf life. Many of our foods that aren’t extensively processed can be a health concern, as well. Foods like fruits and vegetables, diary products, whole grains, and meats are riddled with hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides, also making them harmful to our health.
In addition to lacking vitamins and minerals, the processing of food also removes vital enzymes. These enzymes are the catalyst to the biological reactions that occur inside the body. These enzymes literally run our bodies. Organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc., use enzymes to run their cell functions. If their cells do not function properly, things begin to malfunction.
There are two ways to manufacture enzymes, the body can produce them or they can be obtained from the diet (about 50% come from diet). Raw foods contain many live enzymes which can be used by the body in various ways. Processed foods contain no vital enzymes. If there is not enough intake of live enzymes through food sources, the body will have to work harder to manufacture its own. If the body can not manufacture enough, or doesn’t have the raw materials to manufacture enough, it begins to shut down bodily processes. This can result in a perpetuating cycle of failure. If body can’t manufacture of take in enough enzymes it can’t run bodily functions. Digestion uses about 50% of all enzymes made by the body. If it can’t make these enzymes, it can’t digest nutrients properly, if it can’t get nutrients, systems begin to fail, when systems fail, our body begins to run down. You body can give you hints of system failure. For example, hair can become dry, skin can become dry, and nails can crack or go through other changes that are indicative of other disorders. If larger systems begin to fail, like the liver or kidneys, then the body cannot detoxify waste products or eliminate them properly.
Cat Study
In 1940, Dr Pottenger studies the effects of processed foods on over 900 cats. The cats were divided into 5 groups, two groups were fed raw food, three groups were fed processed food. He follow the health status for several generations.
3 groups fed processed food – The first generation of cats developed degenerative diseases like arthritis, allergies, and diabetes near the end times of their lives. The second generation of cats developed the same conditions as their parents in the middle years of their lives. The third generation of cats developed the same conditions very early in their lives. The third generation of cats could not conceive, or if the could, the fetuses were spontaneously aborted.
2 groups fed raw, unprocessed, enzyme rich food – All generations remained healthy throughout the Dr.’s experiment.
Is the same thing happening to humans today? Are children being born with more chronic diseases earlier in life? The answer is, yes. What about sterility? The percentage of adults that cannot conceive or that are having miscarriages is steadily on the rise.
The important thing to understand is that what we put in our bodies must be nutritional and vital so that our body does not eventually run down. This is the idea of preventative health and the avoidance of degenerative diseases.
Empty Calories
Some foods are loaded with calories, some foods contain very few calories. The term “empty calorie” identifies foods with very poor nutritional value for the amount of calories they contain. These “empty calorie” foods lack many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, and enzymes.
Empty calories causes weight gain. How? The brain controls the feeling of hunger and the feeling of fullness. The brain does this in the hypothalamus. For example, the brain signals that the body is hungry, it needs nutrients. The body then give signs of hunger, like a growling stomach, etc. Once a person begins to feed their body, the brain analyzes the nutrient levels of the digesting food. If the brain does not detect adequate nutrients, it continues to tell the body that it is hungry. This is where “empty calories” come in. If you don’t give the body the nutrients that it is asking for, it will continue to ask for them. Two things will then happen. The extra calories have to be stored somewhere and the body will suffer from lack of nutrients. Weight gain occurs because the excess calories, that are constantly consumed, are stored as fat. The lack of nutrients negatively affects the functioning of the body, as discussed in the “Over Processing Food” section.
Not only is it important for ADD/ADHD to eat healthy foods for proper brain function, but it is also important for overall health and well-being. Healthy foods are those that are nutrient dense foods. Taking in nutrient dense foods like fruits, whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and all other whole unprocessed foods is the most important step to prevention, as well as, treatment of many common ailments.
Food Variety
Eating a variety of foods is an issues that should not be overlooked. Most people eat just a few food types. These food types leave gaps in nutrients. Meaning, not all foods contain all vitamins, all minerals, and not all amino acids, etc. Eating a broad range of foods will better insure that most of these basic requirements are met.
Unfortunately, even the most varied diet can still be lacking in nutrients. Even if you are careful in avoiding pesticides, hormones, over processing, etc., your food may still be lacking in nutrients. In 1992, the Earth Summit in Rio confirmed that the average US farm soils were 85% depleted of minerals. As far back as 1936, a US Senate Report (Document 264) stated that American farms and ranges were depleted of minerals. In being so, food is also depleted in minerals. The implications of soil and food mineral depletion is staggering. It translates into 99% of the public being deficient in a vast array of minerals. Even at the time of the study, it was recommended that the diets of farm animals and people should be supplemented with minerals.
Given the nature of ADD/ADHD and its relationship to food deficiencies, it is important to add high quality vitamin/mineral supplements to help cover deficiencies, as well as supplement for other possible areas of need. It is becoming more and more difficult to obtain our basic requirements for nutrients due to the destruction of our food supply. And, it is no wonder we are seeing a rise in ADD/ADHD along with other illnesses.
Student Study
The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. A perfect example on how food choices can make all the difference in the world comes from a study done at Appleton Central Alternative Charter High School. A study was done which examined the research associating nutrition and student behavior. Appleton opened its doors in 1996 with the intent of individually helping students with behavior problems.
This individualized attention did not meet with much success at first. It wasn’t until the school overhauled their food policies (September, 2003) that a difference in behavior was seen. School lunches were replaced with freshly cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, and other wholesome nutritional choices. All snack machines and soda machines were removed from the school grounds as well.
Once this nutrition program was in place, teachers reported positive changes “overnight”. By the end of the study in 2004, Principal LuAnn Coenen stated that negative behaviors such as vandalism, drug and weapons violations, dropout and expulsion rates, and suicide attempts are virtually nonexistent. The Appleton Study went on to say that the “research does associate nutritional influences with behavior. Nutritional deficiencies cause recognizable symptoms which disappear once the deficiency is alleviated.(1) The effects of extreme nutritional depravation such as starvation include depression, apathy, irritability, and growth retardation.(2) Research has shown students from food insufficient families (families who report not having an adequate supply of food) have lower test scores in arithmetic, are more likely to be held back a grade, have difficulty getting along with their peers, and are more likely to have seen a psychologist.(3) The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program found that teaching staff perceived an increase in students’ attention during class as a result of consuming an increased amount of fruits and vegetables.(4) Similarly, studies of the School Breakfast Program Pilot Project found associations between participation in the breakfast program and better student behavior as well as the perception of better student behavior.”(5)
Sources
1. Nestle M. Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2002; p.379
2. Ibid., p.380
3. AlaimoK, Olson C M, Frongillo E A Jr. Food Insufficiency and American School-Aged Children’s
Cognitive, Academic, and Psychosocial Development. Pediatrics. Jul 2001; 108,1: 44-53
4. Buzby JC, Guthrie JF, Kantor LS. “Evaluation of the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program.” Report to Congress. May 2003. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/efan03006.pdf (Sept. 2004).
5. McLaughlin JE, LS Bernstein, MK Crepinsek, LM Daft, JM Murphy. “Evaluation of the School Breakfast Program Pilot Project: Findings from the First Year of Implementation,” Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series, No. CN-02-SBP, Project Officer: Anita Singh. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation, Alexandria, VA: 2002.
«« Back to Top »»