Food Additives and Childhood Hyperactivity

According to research recently published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2008; 336: 1144), eliminating food additives should be part of a standard treatment program. "Despite the lack of agreement on the effect of dietary modifications on hyperactivity in children, increasing evidence suggests that eliminating food preservatives and artificial colorings from a child's diet may help."

Another study published in the Lancet last year (2007:370:1560-67) found that artificial colors and/or sodium benzoate preservative in the diet led to increased hyperactivity in 3,8, and 9 year-old children who did not have ADHD - attention defecit hyperactivity disorder.