another article about Sodium Benzoate

[Guest guest]

FOOD ADDITIVES CAUSE HYPERACTIVE BEHAVIOR

Literature Review & Commentary, by Alan

R. Gaby, MD

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients-Jan. 2005

Two hundred seventy-seven children (aged 3 years) living on

the Isle of Wight, UK,

consumed a diet for four weeks that eliminated artificial colorings and benzoate

preservatives. During the second week of the diet, the children were

randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, daily challenges with a

juice containing either 1.) artificial colorings (20

mg/da total; 5 mg/day each of sunset yellow, tartrazine, carmoisine and ponceau 4R) and sodium benzoate (45 mg/day); or 2.) placebo. During the fourth week, the children were

challenged daily with the alternate juice.

During the first week (the elimination phase), a significant

reduction in hyperactive behavior was observed. In the challenge phase, significantly greater increases in hyperactive

behavior were seen with the food additives than with the placebo. These

differences were identified by parents’ ratings but not by objective

testing in the clinic. The magnitude of the benefit obtained by avoiding food

additives was similar to that for clonidine in the

treatment of children with ADHD, but was less than that seen with

methylphenidate (Ritalin). The effect of the food additives on hyperactive

behavior was not influenced by the presence or absence of hyperactivity at

baseline, nor by the presence of absence of atopy, as determined by skin prick tests.

Dr. Gaby’s Comment:

The present study demonstrates that commonly used food

additives contribute to hyperactive behavior in children, and that the effect

of these additives is not influenced by prior levels of hyperactivity or by atopy. An earlier study (Lancet 1985; 1:540-545) also

showed that food dyes and benzoate

preservatives are frequent triggers of hyperactive behavior. Considering that more than 1 in 20 children

in some areas of the country is on Ritalin or other drugs for hyperactivity,

closer attention should be given to the dietary factors that are causing

problems for these children.

Bateman B, et al. The

effects of a double blind, placebo controlled,

artificial food colorings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity

in a general population sample of preschool children.

Arch Dis

Child 2004; 89:506-511.

Personal comment:

I am bringing this article to your attention because there

are several fruit juices sold today with major marketing campaigns touting

their great health benefits such as the mangosteen, wolfberry and goji berry juices. However, if you look at the ingredients list

for these drinks you will see that sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are added to these drinks, as well as being pasturized.

In general, juices, whether they are from organic foods or

not, are pasturized. When we drink a glass of pasturized juice, it will be devoid of enzymes and most

vitamins as these nutrients are deactivated by heat during the pasteurization

process. Drinking pasturized

juices puts a tremendous stress on the kidneys and they end up having to

process the juice without the assistance of enzymes. Juices are

wonderful for healing our bodies but they are only good for our bodies if they

are juiced fresh and we drink them immediately to get all the benefits of

active enzymes and vitamins.

In addition, the preservatives in most pasturized

juices negatively affect adult’s and children’s health and today

more than ever, as Dr. Gaby said, we must pay closer attention to what is in

the ingredient list of foods that we consume, and especially what we give to

children.

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