Scientific references
Listed below are links to key scientific papers regarding effects of food additives and then relevant scientific papers organised by additive group. The listing is not exhaustive and is not intended to be repetitive, therefore it does not contain, for instance, the references already given in the major CSPI review. There are more specific references to be found in most factsheets on this website.
If you take the time to examine the scientific literature, we think you will agree that there has been enough science to justify changing the basis on which additives are approved and to ensure monitoring by review after release.
Note that early results for natural food chemicals such as salicylates and amines may not match updated charts from RPAH. The latter are to be relied upon and also appear in the Failsafe shopping list
References for the DVD “Fed Up with Children’s Behaviour”
References for Fedup Roadshow talks
References for AIFST Conference paper “Avoiding harmful food additives” (July 2012)
References for articles about FSANZ (2015)
Key papers
Swain et al 1985 (PDF) Salicylates in foods
Swain et al 1985 (PDF) Lancet letter
Loblay and Swain 1986 (PDF) food intolerance
Schoenthaler et al 1986 (PDF) 1 million school children and additives
Rowe and Rowe 1994 (PDF) behavioural effects
Clarke et al 1996 (2MB PDF) food intolerance
CSPI Review 1999 (PDF) effects of colours 2016 update
McCann et al 2007 (PDF) Southampton study
EFSA Response from Professor Jim Stevenson (PDF)
Effects of food additives on behaviour, health and learning
1750 references on Food Sensitivity and the Brain from 1873 to 1991 part 1
1750 references on Food Sensitivity and the Brain from 1873 to 1991 part 2 (single pdf, 140 pages)
Effects of food additives on behaviour, health and learning
Abstracts for most of the articles listed below are available on www.pubmed.com
In the US in 1999, a quarter century review of 23 controlled studies regarding diet and behaviour concluded that ’17 of the studies found evidence that some children's behaviour significantly worsens after they consume artificial colours or certain foods such as wheat or milk’ (Jacobson MF and Schardt MS 1999) and ‘research with electroencephalography (EEG) indicates that certain foods trigger physiological changes in sensitive individuals’ (Uhlig, Merkenschlager et al. 1997). This review can be easily downloaded from www.cspinet.org/reports/
A review commissioned by the US National Institutes of Mental Health concluded that success of dietary management depends on the type of diet used (Arnold 1999).
The Feingold diet introduced in the US in 1970s is a low chemical elimination diet excluding food additives and certain foods containing salicylates (Feingold 1968; Feingold 1977; Feingold 1979).
In Australia, major clinical research concerning the effects of food additives and salicylates led to the development of low chemical elimination diets excluding more additives and more salicylates than the Feingold diet as well as biogenic amines in chocolate and other foods, and natural glutamates. This research was carried out with 20,000 patients over 20 years by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit and identified nearly 50 problem-causing food additives (artificial colours, annatto natural colour, sorbates, benzoates, sulphites, nitrates, propionates, gallates, TBHQ, BHA, BHT and MSG). Unfortunately, comparatively little has been published in peer reviewed journals although a wide range of food intolerance symptoms from children’s behaviour to asthma, eczema, urticaria, irritable bowel symptoms, migraine and depression have been found to improve on diet. (Loblay RH and Swain AR; Allen DH, Van Nunen S et al. 1984; Swain, Soutter et al. 1985; Clarke L, McQueen J et al. 1996; Hodge, Yan et al. 1996; Parker and Watkins 2002). Their references indexed by Medline are shown below as a group.
In a trial of the LALS diet (low additive, low salicylate), nearly 80% of 516 children improved significantly(Breakey, Hill et al. 1991) and in an open trial of the Failsafe diet (free of additives, low in salicylates, amines and flavour enhancers), 100% of 27 children who completed 2-3 weeks of their elimination diet improved significantly (Dengate and Ruben 2002).
Other diets that have been used successfully to reveal the effects of food additives and other foods include the Few Foods or oligoantigenic diet, and the ketogenic diet. The Few Foods diet, developed in the UK, involves wholefood exclusion and has been used for children’s behaviour, migraine, epilepsy, enuresis and a wide range of other food intolerance symptoms although it is considered by many to be difficult to follow (Bennett CPW, McEwen LM et al. 1998) (Egger, Carter et al. 1983; Carter, Egger et al. 1985; Egger, Carter et al. 1985; Egger, Carter et al. 1989; Egger, Carter et al. 1992; Carter, Urbanowicz et al. 1993; Schulte-Korne, Deimel et al. 1996; Schmidt, Mocks et al. 1997; Pelsser and Buitelaar 2002).
The ketogenic (low carbohydrate) diet has been used for eight decades to treat children’s epilepsy. More recently, behaviour, autism and depression have been found to improve on this diet (Pulsifer, Gordon et al. 2001; Evangeliou, Vlachonikolis et al. 2003; Murphy, Likhodii et al. 2004; Murphy, Likhodii et al. 2005). Since the ketogenic diet excludes many processed foods as well as many fruits and vegetables, in practice it is a low additive, low salicylate diet.
Aust Fam Physician. 2009 Oct;38(10):785-6. Coeliac disease.Faulkner-Hogg K, Hodge L, Swain A. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19893817
This article discusses the assessment and dietary management of coeliac disease, a T-cell mediated reaction to gluten. Full free PDF http://www.racgp.org.au/download/Documents/AFP/2009/October/200910faulkner-hogg.pdf
Aust Fam Physician. 2009 Sep;38(9):705-7. Food allergy and intolerance. Hodge L, Swain A, Faulkner-Hogg K. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19893799
This article discusses adverse reactions to food including IgE mediated food allergy and nonimmunological food reactions Full free PDF http://www.racgp.org.au/download/Documents/AFP/2009/September/200909hodge.pdf
Scand J Gastroenterol. 1999 Aug;34(8):784-9. Dietary analysis in symptomatic patients with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet: the role of trace amounts of gluten and non-gluten food intolerances. Faulkner-Hogg KB, Selby WS, Loblay RH. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10499479
Scand J Gastroenterol. 1999 Sep;34(9):909-14. Persistent mucosal abnormalities in coeliac disease are not related to the ingestion of trace amounts of gluten. Selby WS, Painter D, Collins A, Faulkner-Hogg KB, Loblay RH. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10522611
Thorax. 1996 Aug;51(8):805-9. Assessment of food chemical intolerance in adult asthmatic subjects. Hodge L, Yan KY, Loblay RL. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8795668 Full free text http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC472547/?tool=pubmed
Lancet. 1985 Jul 6;2(8445):41-2. Salicylates, oligoantigenic diets, and behaviour. Swain A, Soutter V, Loblay R, Truswell AS. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2861485 Full text http://fedup.com.au/images/stories/Swainetal1985.pdf
Med J Aust. 1984 Sep 1;141(5 Suppl):S37-42. Adverse reactions to foods. Allen DH, Van Nunen S, Loblay R, Clarke L, Swain A. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6482784 Full text https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/research/adversereactions.pdf
Clin Allergy. 1980 Nov;10(6):699-704. Management of chronic idiopathic urticaria by the identification and exclusion of dietary factors. Gibson A, Clancy R. (A Gibson was Dr Anne Swain's name before she was married)
The role played by dietary chemical factors in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) was assessed in seventy-six patients by challenge Stable remission was first established by using an empirically established 'exclusion diet'. A diet modified to exclude those chemicals giving a positive response to challlenge was demonstrated to be of therapeutic value for time periods of up to 18 months. Re-testing twelve patients at 12 months indicated that most patients positive to salicylate or benzoate challenge retained this pattern of reactivity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7460264
Med J Aust. 1978 Mar 11;1(5):290-2. An Australian exclusion diet. Gibson AR, Clancy RL. (A Gibson was Dr Anne Swain's name before she was married)
Exclusion diets may have a practical place in determining the precipitating dietary factors in certain clinical conditions. We present an exclusion diet which is based on the exclusion of food commonly known to cause food allergies, and the exclusion of food which contains salicylates, benzoates, tartrazine, yeast, and penicillin. This provided a basis for challenge with these additives and natural chemicals. Preliminary information in urticaria suggests a use for this diet in some allergic conditions. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/661687
- Colours
Since Speer reported six cases of childhood asthma related to food dyes in 1958(Speer 1958), artificial colours have been implicated in a wide range of adverse reactions (Lockey 1959; Chafee and Settipane 1967; Settipane, Chafee et al. 1976; Freedman 1977; Swanson and Kinsbourne 1980; Weiss, Williams et al. 1980; Rowe 1988; Boris and Mandel 1994; Rowe and Rowe 1994; Jacobson MF and Schardt MS 1999; Bateman, Warner et al. 2004). Latest study by McCann et al (2007) in The Lancet.
- Natural colour annatto E160b - see also factsheet for more references
Annatto is the only natural colour to affect consumers at least as badly as artificial colours (Mikkelsen, Larsen et al. 1978; Clarke L, McQueen J et al. 1996).
- Sorbates - see also factsheet for more references
Sorbates are one of the preservatives identified by RPAH as implicated in a wide range of food intolerance reactions (Rietschel 1978; Swain AR, Soutter VL et al. 2002). More references at the end of this file.
- Benzoates
Benzoate preservatives have been implicated in a range of adverse reactions from children’s behaviour to urticaria to asthma and most recently with preschoolers’ behaviour (Freedman 1977; Petrus, Bonaz et al. 1996; Bateman, Warner et al. 2004).
- Sulphites - see also factsheet for more references
Sulphite preservatives in both foods and medications have been associated with asthma exacerbation in many countries over many years (Kochen J 1973; Freedman 1977; Baker, Collett et al. 1981; Towns and Mellis 1984; Steinman and Weinberg 1986; Friedman ME and Easton JG 1987; Timberlake, Toun et al. 1992; Steinman, Le Roux et al. 1993; Gastaminza, Quirce et al. 1995; Hodge, Yan et al. 1996; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs 1997).
However, the effects of food additives on children may have been underestimated. With the realisation that children eat and drink significantly more than adults proportional to their body weight and consequently take in more food additives, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revised upward their estimate of prevalence of sulphite sensitivity from 4% of the asthmatic population to 20-30% of asthmatic children (Fifty-first meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). The main sulphite vectors for children are drinks (Steinman and Weinberg 1986; Food Standards Agency (UK) 2004), sulphited meats such as sausages and illegally sulphited mince (Scottish Food Co-ordination Committee; Armentia-Alvarez, Fernandez-Casero et al. 1993), and potato products including hot chips (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food 1993), due to the level of sulphites used in these foods and the frequency of consumption. For those who eat them, dried fruit can be the greatest sulphite vector especially for young children, with Australian 2-year-olds consuming 70 times more dried fruit than 12-year-olds (on average 21.5 compared to 0.3 grams/per day)(Australia New Zealand Food Authority 1996). The Food Intolerance Network recently received a report of a two-year-old who had regularly consumed 20 times the Acceptable Daily Intake for sulphites through a very high intake of dried apricots and similar tree fruits (Rigg 1997). The anti-nutritional properties of sulphites may be a concern, since sulphites can destroy thiamine (Vitamin B1) and folates in the body, even when sourced from supplements (Studdert and Labuc 1991; Quattrucci and Masci 1992; Steel 1997). Sulphites have been shown to be neurotoxic in the laboratory (Baud, Laudenbach et al. 2001).
- Nitrates - see also factsheet for more references
Nitrates are associated with a wide range of food intolerance reactions including headaches, irritable bowel symptoms (Loblay RH and Swain AR) and children’s behaviour (Swain, Soutter et al. 1985).
- Propionates - see also factsheet for more references
There is little information in the medical literature about the effects of low doses of propionates on humans (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives; Swain, Soutter et al. 1985; Dengate and Ruben 2002). However, the association between the very high levels of propionic acid seen in some metabolic diseases and severe neurological problems is well recognised in paediatric medicine. In addition, a number of studies on rats suggest that early administration of propionic acid alters normal development and induces long-lasting behavioural deficits and that administration of ascorbic acid can prevent the behaviour alterations provoked by propionic acid (Brusque, Terracciano et al. 1998; Wyse, Brusque et al. 1998; Brusque, Mello et al. 1999; Fontella, Pulrolnik et al. 2000; Trindade, Brusque et al. 2002). While the propionic acid doses used were around four times higher than might be expected from bread alone in the average diet for a child in Australia, the effects were marked. It is extraordinary that this widely used substance has not been tested more extensively in humans, especially as neurological presentation is not always associated with metabolic crises (Nyhan, Bay et al. 1999).
- Antioxidants: gallates, TBHQ, BHA, BHT - see also factsheet for more references
According to Additive Code Breaker (Hanssen 2002), additives in this class are known to cause gastric or skin irritation in some consumers; TBHQ has been associated with ‘nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, suffocating feelings and collapse’; BHA is known to promote forestomach cancers in rats and BHT is associated with pulmonary inflammation and various tumours. None are permitted in foods intended specifically for infants and young children, yet are widely eaten because they are frequently used in commercially prepared and frozen hot chips. Under the 5% labelling loophole, these additives are not always listed on the label, for example, in frozen hot chips. Gallates (310-312), TBHQ (319) and particularly BHA and BHT (320-321) have been associated with a wide range of food intolerance reactions including asthma and children’s learning and behaviour problems (Loblay RH and Swain AR; Fisherman EW and Cohen G 1973; Schoenthaler, Doraz et al. 1986) .
- Flavour enhancers - see also factsheet for more references
When reviewing double blind placebo controlled MSG studies, it is important to ascertain whether the study was industry funded (Samuels 1999). MSG has been associated with children’s behaviour (Swain, Soutter et al. 1985), asthma (Allen, Delohery et al. 1987; Moneret-Vautrin 1987; Hodge, Yan et al. 1996) and a range of other food intolerance symptoms including migraines (Loblay RH and Swain AR).
Food Intolerance Network researchers have been unable to find any evidence that flavour enhancers 627 (disodium guanylate), 631 (disodium inosinate) and 635 (ribonucleotides – a mixture of 627 and 631) have ever been tested for adverse effects on either humans or animals before approval. FSANZ was unable to provide any scientific evidence. Although we have received numerous reports of itchy skin rashes, swelling of lips and tongue (angio-edema), and behaviour problems in children and adults associated with these additives, we have been unable to report these adverse effects to any authority because there is no post-approval monitoring in Australia or New Zealand.
- Artificial flavours - see also factsheet for more references
In 1968, Feingold reported adverse respiratory, skin, gastrointestinal, neurological and arthralgia symptoms associated with synthetic flavours, more recently reported by others (Feingold 1968; Clarke L, McQueen J et al. 1996).
All references (there are more complete references within the various factsheets)
Allen DH, Van Nunen S, et al. (1984). "Adverse reactions to food." Med J Aust 141 (Suppl): 37-42.
Allen, D. H., J. Delohery, et al. (1987). "Monosodium L-glutamate-induced asthma." J Allergy Clin Immunol 80(4): 530-7.
Ingested chemicals, including aspirin and sulfites, are becoming increasingly recognized as provokers of acute severe asthma. In order to investigate the asthma-provoking potential of the widely used flavor enhancer, monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), we challenged 32 subjects with asthma, a number of whom gave histories of severe asthma after Chinese restaurant meals or similarly spiced meals. The subjects received an additive-free diet for 5 days before challenge and were challenged in hospital, after an overnight fast, with 500 mg capsules of MSG. They were challenged in a single-blind, placebo-controlled fashion with increasing doses of MSG from 0.5 gm to 5.0 gm. Thirteen subjects reacted. Seven subjects (group 1) developed asthma and symptoms of the Chinese restaurant syndrome 1 to 2 hours after ingestion of MSG. Six subjects (group 2) did not develop symptoms of Chinese restaurant syndrome, and their asthma developed 6 to 12 hours after ingestion of MSG. These challenge studies confirm that MSG can provoke asthma. The reaction to MSG is dose dependent and may be delayed up to 12 hours, making recognition difficult for both patient and physician.
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs (1997). ""Inactive" ingredients in pharmaceutical products." Pediatrics 99(2): 268-78.
Because of an increasing number of reports of adverse reactions associated with pharmaceutical excipients, in 1985 the Committee on Drugs issued a position statement recommending that the Food and Drug Administration mandate labeling of over-the-counter and prescription formulations to include a qualitative list of inactive ingredients. However, labeling of inactive ingredients remains voluntary. Adverse reactions continue to be reported, although some are no longer considered clinically significant, and other new reactions have emerged. The original statement, therefore, has been updated and its information expanded.
Anderson J 2013, Food-chemical intolerance in the breastfed infant. Breastfeeding Rev 21(1): 1720.
Adverse food reactions can be caused by a wide range of foods and the reactions vary widely too. Lactation consultants and other health professionals should look for causes of infant symptoms associated with less than optimal breastfeeding management and rule out medical issues before assuming adverse food reactions are involved. The investigation of adverse food reactions can be complex and ideally should be guided and monitored by a dietitian experienced in the field. Maternal elimination diets require high motivation and must include all important nutrients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23600324
Armentia-Alvarez, A., A. Fernandez-Casero, et al. (1993). "Residual levels of free and total sulphite in fresh and cooked burgers." Food Addit Contam 10(2): 157-65.
Forty samples of fresh and fried burgers were analysed. A habitual use and often abuse of sulphites was detected. In the case of the uncooked samples, 62.5% contained residual levels of total SO2 above 450 micrograms/g. The frying process was found to lead to a mean reduction of 36.8 +/- 11.1% in the case of free sulphite and of 40.9 +/- 12.6% for total sulphite. This reduction was independent of the concentration of sulphite present and did not seem to be related to the type of meat used. Most burgers cooked in restaurants were found to contain sulphites, sometimes at elevated levels. The HPLC analytical method for the determination of sulphite contents in burgers, previously applied to fresh sausages, was compared with the optimized Monier-Williams method. The results obtained with both methods in the determination of total SO2 were found to have the same precision although there were significant differences in the contents of additive (p < 0.05).
Arnold, L. E. (1999). "Treatment alternatives for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder." Journal of Attention Disorders 3(1):30-48.
Australia New Zealand Food Authority (1996). 1994 Australian Market Basket Survey. Canberra, Australian Government Publishing Service.
Baker, G. J., P. Collett, et al. (1981). "Bronchospasm induced by metabisulphite-containing foods and drugs." Med J Aust 2(11): 614-7.
Bateman, B., J. O. Warner, et al. (2004). "The effects of a double blind, placebo controlled, artificial food colourings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children." Arch Dis Child 89(6): 506-11.
AIMS: To determine whether artificial food colourings and a preservative in the diet of 3 year old children in the general population influence hyperactive behaviour. METHODS: A sample of 1873 children were screened in their fourth year for the presence of hyperactivity at baseline (HA), of whom 1246 had skin prick tests to identify atopy (AT). Children were selected to form the following groups: HA/AT, not-HA/AT, HA/not-AT, and not-HA/not-AT (n = 277). After baseline assessment, children were subjected to a diet eliminating artificial colourings and benzoate preservatives for one week; in the subsequent three week within subject double blind crossover study they received, in random order, periods of dietary challenge with a drink containing artificial colourings (20 mg daily) and sodium benzoate (45 mg daily) (active period), or a placebo mixture, supplementary to their diet. Behaviour was assessed by a tester blind to dietary status and by parents' ratings. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in hyperactive behaviour during the withdrawal phase. Furthermore, there were significantly greater increases in hyperactive behaviour during the active than the placebo period based on parental reports. These effects were not influenced by the presence or absence of hyperactivity, nor by the presence or absence of atopy. There were no significant differences detected based on objective testing in the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: There is a general adverse effect of artificial food colouring and benzoate preservatives on the behaviour of 3 year old children which is detectable by parents but not by a simple clinic assessment. Subgroups are not made more vulnerable to this effect by their prior levels of hyperactivity or by atopy.
Baud, O., V. Laudenbach, et al. (2001). "Neurotoxic effects of fluorinated glucocorticoid preparations on the developing mouse brain: role of preservatives." Pediatr Res 50(6): 706-11.
Prenatal betamethasone (Celestene) therapy reduces the incidence of brain damage, whereas prenatal or neonatal dexamethasone (Soludecadron) increases the risk of brain lesions or neuromotor deficits. To determine whether this increase is ascribable to the sulfites used as preservatives in Soludecadron, we investigated the effects of 12 h of exposure to pure dexamethasone, Soludecadron, pure betamethasone, Celestene, and sulfites on in vitro and in vivo death of neurons cultured under basal conditions or with excitotoxic agents (N-methyl-D-aspartate or (S)-5-bromowillardiine) or hypoxia. Apoptotic features were quantitated using a fluorescent chromatin stain (Hoechst 33258). Neuronal viability was unaffected by pure dexamethasone, pure betamethasone, or Celestene. Soludecadron or sulfites significantly increased neuronal loss. Pure dexamethasone or pure betamethasone produced a 40-50% decrease in neuronal death induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate, (S)-5-bromowillardiine, or hypoxia, whereas Soludecadron had no effect and sulfites significantly increased the neurotoxicity of excitotoxic agents. In in vivo experiments involving terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling after several i.p. injections of fluorinated glucocorticoids, Soludecadron, but not pure dexamethasone, significantly increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-stained cells in neocortical layers and thalamus. These experimental findings suggest that injectable dexamethasone should be used with caution during the perinatal period.
Bennett CPW, McEwen LM, et al. (1998). "The Shipley Project: treating food allergy to prevent criminal behaviour in community settings." J Nutr Envir Med 8: 77-83.
Boris, M. and F. S. Mandel (1994). "Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children." Ann Allergy 72(5): 462-8.
The attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurophysiologic problem that is detrimental to children and their parents. Despite previous studies on the role of foods, preservatives and artificial colorings in ADHD this issue remains controversial. This investigation evaluated 26 children who meet the criteria for ADHD. Treatment with a multiple item elimination diet showed 19 children (73%) responded favorably, P < .001. On open challenge, all 19 children reacted to many foods, dyes, and/or preservatives. A double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) was completed in 16 children. There was a significant improvement on placebo days compared with challenge days (P = .003). Atopic children with ADHD had a significantly higher response rate than the nonatopic group. This study demonstrates a beneficial effect of eliminating reactive foods and artificial colors in children with ADHD. Dietary factors may play a significant role in the etiology of the majority of children with ADHD.
Breakey, J., M. Hill, et al. (1991). "A report on a trial of the low additive, low salicylate diet in the treatment of behaviour and learning problems in children." Aust J Nutr Diet 48(3): 89-94. PDF
Brusque, A. M., C. F. Mello, et al. (1999). "Effect of chemically induced propionic acidemia on neurobehavioral development of rats." Pharmacol Biochem Behav 64(3): 529-34.
High levels of propionic acid (PPA) comparable to those of human propionic acidemia were achieved in blood (1-5 mmol/l) and brain (1 micromol/g) of rats by administering saline-buffered propionate (pH 7.4) subcutaneously twice a day from the 6th to the 28th day of life. PPA doses ranged from 1.44 to 1.92 micromol/g body weight as a function of animal age. Control rats were treated with saline in the same volumes. Growth and development of physical landmarks were assessed by monitoring the following parameters daily: body weight, upper incisor eruption, eye opening, and hair coat. Development of some reflexes was also monitored, and a specific subset of motor skills was evaluated at days 14 and 21 of life by the free-fall righting test and the spontaneous alternation test. Chronic PPA administration had no effect on body weight, cerebral cortex weight, or cerebellum weight, but caused slight but significant delays in the day of appearance of hair coat and eye opening, indicating an effect of PPA on the development of physical parameters. Free-fall righting was impaired in PPA-treated animals. On the other hand, PPA administration had no effect on the performance of the animals in the spontaneous alternation tests. Long-term effects of early PPA administration were investigated by assessing animal performance in an aversive task (two-way shuttle avoidance task) and in a nonaversive (open-field task) behavioral task at 60 days of age. PPA-treated rats did not habituate to the open field, and presented a lack of retention of the shuttle-avoidance task. Our results suggest that early postnatal PPA administration to rats alters normal development and induces long-term behavioral deficits in aversive and nonaversive tasks.
Brusque, A. M., S. T. Terracciano, et al. (1998). "Chronic administration of propionic acid reduces ganglioside N-acetylneuraminic acid concentration in cerebellum of young rats." J Neurol Sci 158(2): 121-4.
Elevated levels of propionate comparable to those of human propionic acidaemia were achieved in the blood of young rats by injecting subcutaneously buffered propionic acid (PPA) twice a day at 8-h intervals from the 6th to the 28th day of life. A matched group of animals (controls) was treated with the same volumes of saline. The animals were weighed and sacrificed by decapitation at 28, 35 or 60 days of age. Cerebellum and cerebrum were weighed and their protein and ganglioside N-acetylneuraminic acid (G-NeuAc) contents determined. Body, cerebral and cerebellar weights were similar in both groups, suggesting that PPA per se neither alters the appetite of the rats nor causes malnutrition. Brain protein concentration was also not affected by chronic administration of PPA, in contrast to G-NeuAc concentration which was significantly reduced in the cerebellum. Since ganglioside concentration is closely related to the dendritic surface and indirectly reflects synaptogenesis, our results of an important ganglioside deficit in the brain of PPA-treated animals may be related to the neurologic dysfunction characteristic of propionic acidaemic patients.
Carter, C. M., J. Egger, et al. (1985). "A dietary management of severe childhood migraine." Hum Nutr Appl Nutr 39(4): 294-303.
We describe in detail a dietary treatment which has been shown to be effective in most children with severe migraine. Potential adverse nutritional and allergic effects are outlined; because of the diet should be undertaken only in those ill enough to justify it. In the first stage very few foods are given, and if the child responds to this oligoantigenic diet, foods are reintroduced one by one at weekly intervals. In this way foods causing symptoms are identified and eliminated. Research is urgently needed to establish simpler empirical diets and diagnostic tests.
Carter, C. M., M. Urbanowicz, et al. (1993). "Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder." Arch Dis Child 69(5): 564-8.
Seventy-eight children, referred to a diet clinic because of hyperactive behaviour, were placed on a 'few foods' elimination diet. Fifty nine improved in behaviour during this open trial. For 19 of these children it was possible to disguise foods or additives, or both, that reliably provoked behavioural problems by mixing them with other tolerated foods and to test their effect in a placebo controlled double blind challenge protocol. The results of a crossover trial on these 19 children showed a significant effect for the provoking foods to worsen ratings of behaviour and to impair psychological test performance. This study shows that observations of change in behaviour associated with diet made by parents and other people with a role in the child's care can be reproduced using double blind methodology and objective assessments. Clinicians should give weight to the accounts of parents and consider this treatment in selected children with a suggestive medical history.
Chafee, F. H. and G. A. Settipane (1967). "Asthma caused by FD&C approved dyes." J Allergy 40(2): 65-72.
Clarke L, McQueen J, et al. (1996). "The dietary management of food allergy and food intolerance in children and adults." Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics 53(3): 89-94.
Dengate, S. (1997). "Dietary management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder". Aust J Early Childhood 22(4): 29-33. Download this paper (0.7Mb pdf)
Dengate, S. and A. Ruben (2002). "Controlled trial of cumulative behavioural effects of a common bread preservative." J Paediatr Child Health 38(4): 373-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12173999/
OBJECTIVE: Many anecdotes and one scientific report describe cumulative behavioural effects of bread preservative on children. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-seven children, whose behaviour improved significantly on the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital diet, which excludes food additives, natural salicylates, amines and glutamates, were challenged with calcium propionate (preservative code 282) or placebo through daily bread in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. RESULTS: Due to four placebo responders, there was no significant difference by ANOVA of weighted placebo and challenge Rowe Behaviour Rating Inventory means, but a statistically significant difference existed in the proportion of children whose behaviours 'worsened' with challenge (52%), compared to the proportion whose behaviour 'improved' with challenge (19%), relative to placebo (95% confidence intervals 14-60%). CONCLUSIONS: Irritability, restlessness, inattention and sleep disturbance in some children may be caused by a preservative in healthy foods consumed daily. Minimizing the concentrations added to processed foods would reduce adverse reactions. Testing for behavioural toxicity should be included in food additive safety evaluation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12173999 Download this paper (6Mb pdf)
Dumbrell et al, 1978. Med J Aust. Dec 2;2(12):548, 569-70) "Is the Australian version of the Feingold diet safe?"concluded that "the mean intakes of all computed nutrients were above the recommended level in the Australian Dietary Allowances.... The nutritional quality, in terms of the level and balance of nutrients in the elimination test diet, was superior to that of the normal diet. With proper dietary counselling, the elimination test diet is safe for use in the treatment of children .."
Egger, J., C. H. Carter, et al. (1992). "Effect of diet treatment on enuresis in children with migraine or hyperkinetic behavior." Clin Pediatr (Phila) 31(5): 302-7.
Twenty-one children with migraine and/or hyperkinetic behavior disorder which was successfully treated with an oligoantigenic (few-foods) diet also suffered from nocturnal and/or diurnal enuresis. On diet, the enuresis stopped in 12 of these children and improved in an additional four. Identification of provoking foods was by sequential reintroduction of the foods that were avoided on the oligoantigenic diet. In eight of the 12 children who recovered on the oligoantigenic diet and in the four who improved, reintroduction of one or more foods provoked a reproducible relapse of the enuresis. Nine children were subjected to a placebo-controlled, double-blind reintroduction of provoking foods. Six children relapsed during testing with incriminated foods; none reacted to placebo. Enuresis in food-induced migraine and/or behavior disorder seems to respond, in some patients, to avoidance of provoking foods.
Egger, J., C. M. Carter, et al. (1985). "Controlled trial of oligoantigenic treatment in the hyperkinetic syndrome." Lancet 1(8428): 540-5.
76 selected overactive children were treated with an oligoantigenic diet, 62 improved, and a normal range of behaviour was achieved in 21 of these. Other symptoms, such as headaches, abdominal pain, and fits, also often improved. 28 of the children who improved completed a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial in which foods thought to provoke symptoms were reintroduced. Symptoms returned or were exacerbated much more often when patients were on active material than on placebo. 48 foods were incriminated. Artificial colorants and preservatives were the commonest provoking substances, but no child was sensitive to these alone.
Egger, J., C. M. Carter, et al. (1989). "Oligoantigenic diet treatment of children with epilepsy and migraine." J Pediatr 114(1): 51-8.
We studied the role of oligoantigenic diets in 63 children with epilepsy; 45 children had epilepsy with migraine, hyperkinetic behavior, or both, and 18 had epilepsy alone. Of the 45 children who had epilepsy with recurrent headaches, abdominal symptoms, or hyperkinetic behavior, 25 ceased to have seizures and 11 had fewer seizures during diet therapy. Headaches, abdominal pains, and hyperkinetic behavior ceased in all those whose seizures ceased, and in some of those whose seizures did not cease. Foods provoking symptoms were identified by systematic reintroduction of foods, one by one; symptoms recurred with 42 foods, and seizures recurred with 31; most children reacted to several foods. Of 24 children with generalized epilepsy, 18 recovered or improved (including 4 of 7 with myoclonic seizures and all with petit mal), as did 18 of 21 children with partial epilepsy. In double-blind, placebo-controlled provocation studies, symptoms recurred in 15 of 16 children, including seizures in eight; none recurred when placebo was given. Eighteen other children, who had epilepsy alone, were similarly treated with an oligoantigenic diet; none improved.
Egger, J., C. M. Carter, et al. (1983). "Is migraine food allergy? A double-blind controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment." Lancet 2(8355): 865-9.
93% of 88 children with severe frequent migraine recovered on oligoantigenic diets; the causative foods were identified by sequential reintroduction, and the role of the foods provoking migraine was established by a double-blind controlled trial in 40 of the children. Most patients responded to several foods. Many foods were involved, suggesting an allergic rather than an idiosyncratic (metabolic) pathogenesis. Associated symptoms which improved in addition to headache included abdominal pain, behaviour disorder, fits, asthma, and eczema. In most of the patients in whom migraine was provoked by non-specific factors, such as blows to the head, exercise, and flashing lights, this provocation no longer occurred while they were on the diet.
Evangeliou, A., I. Vlachonikolis, et al. (2003). "Application of a ketogenic diet in children with autistic behavior: pilot study." J Child Neurol 18(2): 113-8.
A pilot prospective follow-up study of the role of the ketogenic diet was carried out on 30 children, aged between 4 and 10 years, with autistic behavior. The diet was applied for 6 months, with continuous administration for 4 weeks, interrupted by 2-week diet-free intervals. Seven patients could not tolerate the diet, whereas five other patients adhered to the diet for 1 to 2 months and then discontinued it. Of the remaining group who adhered to the diet, 18 of 30 children (60%), improvement was recorded in several parameters and in accordance with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Significant improvement (> 12 units of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale) was recorded in two patients (pre-Scale: 35.00 +/- 1.41[mean +/- SD]), average improvement (> 8-12 units) in eight patients (pre-Scale: 41.88 +/- 3.14[mean +/- SD]), and minor improvement (2-8 units) in eight patients (pre-Scale: 45.25 +/- 2.76 [mean +/- SD]). Although these data are very preliminary, there is some evidence that the ketogenic diet may be used in autistic behavior as an additional or alternative therapy.
Feingold, B. F. (1968). "Recognition of food additives as a cause of symptoms of allergy." Ann Allerg 26(309-13).
Feingold, B. F. (1977). "Behavioral disturbances linked to the ingestion of food additives." Del Med J 49(2): 89-94.
Feingold, B. F. (1979). "Dietary management of nystagmus." J Neural Transm 45: 107-115.
Fifty-first meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives "Safety Evaluation of Certain Food Additives: sulfur dioxide and sulfites; evaluation of national assessments of intake of benzoates; evaluation of national assessments of intake of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); evaluation of national assessments of intake of butylated hydroxytoluene. Geneva: World Health Organisation, 1999."
Fisherman EW and Cohen G (1973). "Chemical intolerance to butylated-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated-hydroxytoluene (BHT) and vascular response as an indicator and monitor of drug intolerance." Ann Allerg 31: 126-33.
Floch MH. Annatto, diet, and the irritable bowel syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009;43(10):905-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19687751
Professor Floch is Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. His review concludes 'It is clear that annatto is common in our foods, it is clear that it is not known as a significant producer of allergic responses, and it is unknown to most of our practitioners dealing with allergies and the irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, it behooves us to begin studies in investigating the role of dyes such as annatto in the production of the symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome'.
Fontella, F. U., V. Pulrolnik, et al. (2000). "Propionic and L-methylmalonic acids induce oxidative stress in brain of young rats." Neuroreport 11(3): 541-4.
The in vitro effects of propionic and L-methylmalonic acids on some parameters of oxidative stress were investigated in the cerebral cortex of 21-day-old rats. Chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) and total radical-trapping antioxidant capacity (TRAP) were measured in brain tissue homogenates in the presence of propionic or L-methylmalonic acids at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10mM. Both acids significantly increased chemiluminescence and TBA-RS and decreased TRAP, indicating a simulation of lipid peroxidation and a reduction of tissue antioxidant potential. Other organic acids tested which accumulate in some organic acidemias (suberic, sebacic, adipic, 3-methylglutaric and 4-hydroxybutyric acids) did not affect these parameters. This study provides evidence that free radical generation may participate in the neurological dysfunction of propionic and methylmalonic acidemias.
Food Standards Agency (UK) (2004). "Survey of sulphur dioxide in soft drinks." Food Survey Information Sheet May 2004.
Freedman, B. J. (1977). "Asthma induced by sulphur dioxide, benzoate and tartrazine contained in orange drinks." Clin Allergy 7(5): 407-15.
Of 272 patients with asthma, thirty (11%) gave a history of exacerbations occurring after ingestion, solutions of orange orange drinks. Fourteen of these were given provocation tests by drinking, on separate occasions of sulphur dioxide, sodium benzoate and tartrazine, which are present in all orange drinks. Eight reacted to sulphur dioxide with a fall in FEV1, four to sodium benzoate and one to tartrazine, and four did not react to any of these agents. Three of the benzoate patients were also sensitive to sulphur dioxide. The sulphur dioxide sensitive patients were predominantly young, with extrinsic asthma. The benzoate sensitive patients were predominantly middle-aged and the proportion with intrinsic asthma was higher. Prior inhalation of sodium cromoglycate by four patients inhibited the reaction to these substances. Sulphur dioxide has not previously been reported to cause exacerbations of asthma when ingested as a food preservative. It is used as a preservative in a wide range of acidic beverages and foods, and should be considered as possibly causal in patients suffering from apparently cryptogenic asthma, and asthma seemingly due to food allergy.
Friedman ME and Easton JG (1987). "Prevalence of positive metabisulfite challenges in children with asthma." Pediatr Asthma Allerg Immunol 1: 53-59.
Gastaminza, G., S. Quirce, et al. (1995). "Pickled onion-induced asthma: a model of sulfite-sensitive asthma?" Clin Exp Allergy 25(8): 698-703.
BACKGROUND: Asthma elicited by sulfite ingestion has been mainly described in steroid-dependent and in non-atopic asthmatics. We have studied a group of 18 young extrinsic asthmatics who presented with asthma attacks immediately after eating pickled onions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to ascertain if these asthma attacks are elicited by sulfites contained in pickled onions and the influence of the dose and pH of onions. METHODS: The bronchial hyperreactivity of the patients was assessed by a methacholine challenge test. Oral challenge tests were performed with sodium metabisulfite (MSB) diluted in lemon juice at pH 4.2 and at pH 3.3 (only in patients who did not react with pH 4.2). Two types of pickled onions, Spanish and Dutch pickled onions, were used for oral challenge in seven of the patients. The Monier-Williams method was used to measure the SO2 concentration in pickled onions. RESULTS: The oral provocation test with MBS, pH 4.2, elicited a positive response in six patients (33.3%) and the test at pH 3.3 was positive in three out of 12. No significant difference in PD20 values was found between these groups. Three of the seven patients challenged with Spanish pickled onions had a positive reaction but had no reaction with Dutch pickled onions. The SO2 concentration in Spanish pickled onions varied between 765 and 1182 ppm while in Dutch pickled onions were 200 ppm; this exceeded the permitted level (100 ppm). SO2 release in Spanish pickled onion samples was nearly 2.5 times higher when the pH of the sample decreased from 4.2 to 3.3. CONCLUSION: High levels of SO2 in Spanish pickled onions, and their low pH (3.3) would be the responsible factors of the asthmatic outbreaks after ingestion of Spanish pickled onions by these patients.
Hanssen, M. (2002). Additive Code Breaker. Melbourne, Lothian.
Hodge, L., K. Y. Yan, et al. (1996). "Assessment of food chemical intolerance in adult asthmatic subjects." Thorax 51(8): 805-9.
BACKGROUND: Identification of food chemical intolerance in asthmatic subjects can be reliably assessed by changes in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in response to double blind, placebo controlled challenges on a strict elimination diet. However, this method is cumbersome and time consuming. A study was undertaken to determine whether changes in bronchial responsiveness to histamine following food chemical challenge without an elimination diet might be a faster, more convenient method. METHODS: Eleven adult asthmatic subjects were challenged twice with metabisulphite, aspirin, monosodium glutamate, artificial food colours, sodium nitrite/ nitrate, 0.5% citric acid solution (placebo), and sucrose (placebo) on separate days. During the first set of challenges subjects consumed a normal diet. Bronchial responsiveness to histamine was assessed 90 minutes after each challenge. A greater than twofold increase in bronchial responsiveness was considered positive. For one month prior to and during the second set of challenges subjects followed a strict elimination diet and FEV1 was monitored during and for two hours after each challenge. A fall in FEV1 of 20% or more was considered positive. RESULTS: Of the 77 food chemical challenges performed on an unmodified diet, 20 were positive (six placebo responses). In two subjects it was not possible to perform a histamine test after one of the chemical challenges because of poor spirometric function. Of the 77 food chemical challenges performed on an elimination diet, 11 were positive (no placebo responses). Excluding the two challenges in which there were no corresponding histamine tests, only on two occasions did the positive responses in both methods coincide, giving the unmodified diet method a sensitivity of 22%. CONCLUSIONS: Strict dietary elimination and measurement of FEV1 after double blind food chemical challenge remains the most reliable method for the detection of food chemical intolerance in asthmatic subjects.
Hodge, L., A. Swain, K. Faulkner‐Hogg (2009). "Food allergy and intolerance," Australian Family Physician, vol. 38(9), pp. 705‐707, 2009.
This article forms part of a series looking at the relationship between diet and good health, and the role of the dietitian in the primary health care team. This article discusses adverse reactions to food including IgE mediated food allergy and nonimmunological food reactions. Coeliac disease, a T-cell mediated reaction to gluten, will be discussed in the next article in this series.
Jacobson MF and Schardt MS (1999). Diet, ADHD and behaviour: a quarter-century review. Washington DC, Centre for Science in the Public Interest.
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives "Propionic acid and its calcium, potassium and sodium salts. World Health Organization, Geneva 1974, URL: http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v05je16.htm"
Kochen J (1973). "Sulfur dioxide, a respiratory tract irritant, even if ingested." Pediatrics 52(1): 145-6.
Loblay RH and Swain AR "'Food intolerance'. In Wahlqvist ML, Truswell AS, Recent Advances in Clinical Nutrition. London: John Libbey, 1986, pages 169-177."
Lockey, S. D. (1959). "Allergic reactions due to F D and C Yellow No. 5, tartrazine, an aniline dye used as a coloring and identifying agent in various steroids." Ann Allergy 17: 719-21.
Malakar, S et al (2017). Naturally occurring dietary salicylates: A closer look at common Australian foods. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 57 (2017) 31–39. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157516302241 pdf
McCann, D., Barrett, A., Cooper, A., Crumpler, D., Dalen, L., Grimshaw, K., Kitchin, E., Lok, K., Porteous, L., Prince, E., Sonuga-Barke, E., Warner, J., and Stevenson, J. (2007)
“Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial” The Lancet September 6, 2007 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3.
Summary: Background We undertook a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to test whether intake of artifi cial food colour and additives (AFCA) aff ected childhood behaviour. Methods 153 3-year-old and 144 8/9-year-old children were included in the study. The challenge drink contained sodium benzoate and one of two AFCA mixes (A or B) or a placebo mix. The main outcome measure was a global hyperactivity aggregate (GHA), based on aggregated z-scores of observed behaviours and ratings by teachers and parents, plus, for 8/9-year-old children, a computerised test of attention. This clinical trial is registered with Current Controlled Trials (registration number ISRCTN74481308). Analysis was per protocol. Findings 16 3-year-old children and 14 8/9-year-old children did not complete the study, for reasons unrelated to childhood behaviour. Mix A had a signifi cantly adverse eff ect compared with placebo in GHA for all 3-year-old children (eff ect size 0⋅20 [95% CI 0⋅01–0⋅39], p=0⋅044) but not mix B versus placebo. This result persisted when analysis was restricted to 3-year-old children who consumed more than 85% of juice and had no missing data (0⋅32 [0⋅05–0⋅60], p=0⋅02). 8/9-year-old children showed a signifi cantly adverse eff ect when given mix A (0⋅12 [0⋅02–0⋅23], p=0⋅023) or mix B (0⋅17 [0⋅07–0⋅28], p=0⋅001) when analysis was restricted to those children consuming at least 85% of drinks with no missing data. Interpretation Artifi cial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.
Mikkelsen, H., J. Larsen, et al. (1978). "Hypersensitivity reactions to food colours with special reference to the natural colour annatto extract (butter colour)." Arch Toxicol Suppl(1): 141-3.
It is well known that synthetic food colours especially some azo dyes can provoke hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria, angioneurotic oedema, and asthma (Michaelsson and Juhlin, 1973, Granholt and Thune, 1975). Natural food colours are scarcely investigated with respect to potential allergic properties. Annatto extract, a commonly used food colour in edible fats e.g. butter, has been tested in patients. Among 61 consecutive patients suffering from chornic urticaria and/or angioneurotic oedema 56 patients were orally provoked by annatto extract during elimination diet. Challenge was performed with a dose equivalent to the amount used in 25 grams of butter. Twenty six per cent of the patients reacted to this colour 4 hours (SD: 2,6) after intake. Similar challenges with synthetic dyes showed the following results: Tartrazine 11%, Sunset Yellow FCF 17%, Food Red 17 16%, Amaranth 9%, Ponceau 4 R 15%, Erythrosine 12% and Brillant Blue FCF 14%. The present study indicates that natural food colours may induce hypersensitivity reactions as frequent as synthetic dyes.
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (1993). Dietary intake of food additives in the UK: initial surveillance. Surveillance Information Sheet No 37. London, HMSO.
Moneret-Vautrin, D. A. (1987). "Monosodium glutamate-induced asthma: study of the potential risk of 30 asthmatics and review of the literature." Allerg Immunol (Paris) 19(1): 29-35.
Monosodium glutamate is a physiological nutrient, and food additive used as a taste enhancer. Several cases of intolerance to MSG in patients with asthma and with a Chinese Restaurant Syndrome have been published. A high dose of 2.5 g was tested in 6 healthy controls and 30 asthmatics (7: allergic asthma; 15: intrinsic asthma with intolerance to aspirin; 8: intrinsic asthma with aspirin intolerance, intolerance to alcohol or to food additives). Two patients presented with a mild bronchospasm, occurring 6 to 10 hours after the ingestion. Different mechanisms are discussed. A cholinergic mechanism might be incriminated, either due to stimulation of the synthesis of acetylcholine, or due to a vagal reflex elicited by a reflux esophagitis. However, a high vagal hyperreactivity seems to be needed for the occurrence of asthma. It is concluded that a very small subset of patients with intrinsic asthma might present with an intolerance to MSG if high doses are consumed.
Murphy, P., S. Likhodii, et al. (2004). "The antidepressant properties of the ketogenic diet." Biol Psychiatry 56(12): 981-3.
BACKGROUND: The ketogenic diet is used to treat epilepsy refractory to anticonvulsant medication. Individuals with epilepsy often have behavioral problems and deficits in attention and cognitive functioning. The ketogenic diet has been found to effect improvements in these domains. It has also been suggested that the ketogenic diet may act as a mood stabilizer. METHODS: The present research used the Porsolt test, an animal model of depression, to determine whether the ketogenic diet has antidepressant properties. Porsolt test scores of rats on the ketogenic diet were compared with those of rats on a control diet. RESULTS: The rats on the ketogenic diet spent less time immobile, suggesting that rats on the ketogenic diet, like rats treated with antidepressants, are less likely to exhibit "behavioral despair." CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the ketogenic diet may have antidepressant properties.
Murphy, P., S. S. Likhodii, et al. (2005). "Effect of the ketogenic diet on the activity level of Wistar rats." Pediatr Res 57(3): 353-7.
Children, adolescents, and adults with epilepsy often also show symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The ketogenic diet, which is administered to children with epilepsy refractory to drug therapy, seems to improve behavior in individuals with symptoms of ADHD. The basis for this improvement is unknown, although it seems to be unrelated to seizure control. The present research was designed to investigate the effect of two ketogenic diets on the behavior of normal adult male rats. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, 36 subjects were placed on one of three diets: a control diet, a 6.3:1 ketogenic diet, and a 4:1 ketogenic diet. In experiment 2, 20 subjects were placed either on a control diet or on a 4:1 ketogenic diet. The activity level of each subject was measured using an open field test. Time spent immobile, grooming, and in exploratory behavior was measured for 600 s. Subjects were tested once before initiation of the diets and once while on the diets. No significant group differences were found in activity level before initiation of the diets. After initiation of the diets, subjects in both ketogenic groups showed a significantly lower activity level than the rats on the control diet. The ketogenic diet decreases activity level in an animal model. This behavioral change may relate to the improved behavior seen when children with symptoms of ADHD are placed on the diet.
Nyhan, W. L., C. Bay, et al. (1999). "Neurologic nonmetabolic presentation of propionic acidemia." Arch Neurol 56(9): 1143-7.
BACKGROUND: Patients with propionic acidemia usually present in the neonatal period with life-threatening ketoacidosis, often complicated by hyperammonemia. It was thought that the neurologic abnormalities seen in this disease were exclusively the consequences of these acute crises. Experience with 2 patients with propionic acidemia indicates that this disease may present first with prominent neurologic disease without the life-threatening episodes of ketoacidosis that usually serve as the alerting signals for a diagnosis of an organic acidemia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical and metabolic aspects of 2 patients with a phenotype that suggested disease of the basal ganglia. DESIGN: Examination of patterns of organic acids of the urine and enzyme assay for propionyl-CoA carboxylase in fibroblasts and lymphocytes. SETTING: Referral population to a biochemical genetics laboratory. PATIENTS: Two patients whose prominent features were hypotonia followed by spastic quadriparesis and choreoathetosis. Both had seizures. One patient was mildly mentally retarded but grew normally physically. The other had profound mental retardation and failure to thrive; he also self-mutilated his lower lip. Self-injurious behavior has not been reported in this disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical description, blood ammonia levels, organic acid levels in the urine, and enzyme activity. RESULTS: Excretion of metabolites, including methylcitrate, was typical. Residual activity of propionyl-CoA carboxylase approximated 5% of the control in each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Propionic acidemia can present as a pure neurologic disease without acute episodes of massive ketoacidosis. Hyperammonemia may occur after infancy in some patients, presenting as Reye syndrome.
Parker, G. and T. Watkins (2002). "Treatment-resistant depression: when antidepressant drug intolerance may indicate food intolerance." Aust N Z J Psychiatry 36(2): 263-5.
Pelsser, L. M. and J. K. Buitelaar (2002). "[Favourable effect of a standard elimination diet on the behavior of young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a pilot study]." Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 146(52): 2543-7.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a standard elimination diet can decrease the ADHD-symptoms in a heterogeneous group of young children with ADHD. DESIGN: Open, descriptive. METHOD: 40 children, 36 boys and 4 girls, aged 3-7 (average 4.8 years), who met the DSM-IV-criteria for ADHD, followed their usual diet for two weeks and thereafter for two weeks an elimination diet, based on the few foods diet (rice, turkey, pear and lettuce). The behaviour of the child was evaluated at study entry, after the baseline period and at the end of the diet. Parents completed the 10-item Conners list, the ADHD Rating Scale and a physical complaints list. The teachers completed the 10-item Conners list and the ADHD Rating Scale twice, at the beginning and at the end of the diet. RESULTS: According to the parent-ratings, 25 children (62%) showed an improvement in behaviour of at least 50% on both the Conners list and the ADHD Rating Scale at the end of the elimination diet. Nine children (23%) withdrew from the study because the parents were unable to stick to the diet or because the child fell ill. Among the 15 children with both parent and teacher ratings, 10 responded both at home and in school. CONCLUSION: In young children with ADHD an elimination diet can lead to a statistically significant decrease in symptoms.
Pelsser LM, Frankena K, Toorman J, Savelkoul HF, Pereira RR, Buitelaar JK. A randomised controlled trial into the effects of food on ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Jan;18(1):12-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18431534
The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a restricted elimination diet in reducing symptoms in an unselected group of children with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dietary studies have already shown evidence of efficacy in selected subgroups. Twenty-seven children (mean age 6.2) who all met the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD, were assigned randomly to either an intervention group (15/27) or a waiting-list control group (12/27). Primary endpoint was the clinical response, i.e. a decrease in the symptom scores by 50% or more, at week 9 based on parent and teacher ratings on the abbreviated ten-item Conners Scale and the ADHD-DSM-IV Rating Scale. The intention-to-treat analysis showed that the number of clinical responders in the intervention group was significantly larger than that in the control group [parent ratings 11/15 (73%) versus 0/12 (0%); teacher ratings, 7/10 (70%) versus 0/7 (0%)]. The Number of ADHD criteria on the ADHD Rating Scale showed an effect size of 2.1 (cohen's d) and a scale reduction of 69.4%. Comorbid symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder also showed a significantly greater decrease in the intervention group than it did in the control group (cohens's d 1.1, scale reduction 45.3%). A strictly supervised elimination diet may be a valuable instrument in testing young children with ADHD on whether dietary factors may contribute to the manifestation of the disorder and may have a beneficial effect on the children's behaviour.
Pelsser LM, Frankena K, Buitelaar JK, Rommelse NN. “Effects of food on physical and sleep complaints in children with ADHD: a randomised controlled pilot study.” Eur J Pediatr. 2010 Sep;169(9):1129-38. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20401617
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common behavioural disorder in children, may be associated with comorbid physical and sleep complaints. Dietary intervention studies have shown convincing evidence of efficacy in reducing ADHD symptoms in children. In this pilot study, we investigated the effects of an elimination diet on physical and sleep complaints in children with ADHD. A group of 27 children (3.8-8.5 years old), who all met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for ADHD, were assigned randomly to either a diet group (15/27) or a control group (12/27). The diet group followed a 5-week elimination diet; the control group adhered to their normal diet. Parents of both groups had to keep an extended diary and had to monitor the behaviour and the physical and sleep complaints of their child conscientiously. The primary endpoint was the clinical response, i.e. a decrease of physical and sleep complaints, at the end of the trial, based on parent ratings on a Physical Complaints Questionnaire. The number of physical and sleep complaints was significantly decreased in the diet group compared to the control group (p < 0.001), with a reduction in the diet group of 77% (p < 0.001, effect size = 2.0) and in the control group of 17% (p = 0.08, effect size = 0.2). Specific complaints that were significantly reduced were in three domains: headaches or bellyaches, unusual thirst or unusual perspiration, and sleep complaints. The reduction of complaints seemed to occur independently of the behavioural changes (p = 0.1). However, the power of this comparison was low. A positive correlation existed between the reduction of physical and behavioural symptoms (p < 0.01). The reduction did not differ between children with or without an atopic constitution (p = 0.7). An elimination diet may be an effective instrument to reduce physical complaints in children with ADHD, but more research is needed to determine the effects of food on (functional) somatic symptoms in children with and without ADHD. This trial was registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, ISRCTN47247160.
Pelsser LM and others Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2011;377(9764):494-503.
This repeat of the 2002 study involved 100 children aged four to eight. Fifty of them followed an elimination diet – removing all known problem foods until some of them consumed only rice, turkey, pear, vegetables and water. After five weeks, two-thirds of the children on the special diet no longer had any behavioural problems. There was no difference in the behaviour of the control group on a 'healthy' diet. The children were followed for a year, with foodstuffs being added back into their diet to determine what caused the hyperactive reaction. Researchers concluded that 'dietary intervention should be considered in all children with ADHD, provided parents are willing to follow a diagnostic restricted elimination diet for a five-week period, and provided expert supervision is available.' they wrote. This diet is not new, but it is the first time it has been trialled on so many children for such a long time. Full study at http://www.adhdenvoeding.nl/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Pelsser-The-Lancet-2011-Publication-INCA-study.pdf
Petrus, M., S. Bonaz, et al. (1996). "Asthmé et intolérance aux benzoates." Arch Pédiatr 3(10): 984-7.
BACKGROUND: Some foods and drug additives may induce allergic reactions. CASE REPORT: A girl with a family history of asthma in both parents developed asthma in her early life. She was successfully given continuous bronchodilator therapy until the age of 7 years. At that time, she had more frequent and severe exacerbations (8 within 10 months) despite reinforced continuous treatment. Oral challenges with bisulfite and sodium benzoate, both additives abundantly ingested by the patient, revealed heightened sensitivity to administration of sodium benzoate. Avoidance of this additive was followed by complete and prolonged disappearance of episodes of coughing and wheezing. CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to benzoate in this patient required avoidance of some drugs, some of those classically prescribed under the form of syrups in asthma.
Pulsifer, M. B., J. M. Gordon, et al. (2001). "Effects of ketogenic diet on development and behavior: preliminary report of a prospective study." Dev Med Child Neurol 43(5): 301-6.
The ketogenic diet is increasingly used for the management of difficult-to-control seizures in children. Here, we describe the first prospective study of the effects of the diet on development, behavior, and parenting stress. Participants were 65 children (36 males, 29 females) with intractable seizures, ages 18 months to 14 years 6 months, enrolled in a prospective study at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA, to study the diet's efficacy. Children were assessed before diet initiation and at 1-year follow-up. At follow-up, 52% (34 of 65) children remained on the diet. Mean seizure frequency decreased from 25 per day before diet initiation to less than two per day 1 year later. At follow-up, mean developmental quotient showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.05), with significant behavioral improvements in attention and social functioning. Parental stress was essentially unchanged. No baseline factor examined predicted diet adherence, and the primary reason for diet discontinuation was insufficient seizure control. These preliminary results support prior anecdotal reports of the beneficial effects of the diet on cognition and behavior.
Quattrucci, E. and V. Masci (1992). "Nutritional aspects of food preservatives." Food Addit Contam 9(5): 515-25.
Despite the benefits attributed to food preservatives, some concern still remains regarding their safety and possible influence on nutrients. Surprisingly, there is quite a lack of scientific knowledge in this field. In order to describe a few examples, the effects of the extensively used sulphite on thiamine, folates, pyridoxal and other nutrients have been reported. Among its antibrowning effects, inhibition of ascorbic acid browning is also considered. As far as sorbic acid is concerned, notwithstanding its easy reaction with protein, probably the acid environment of the stomach determines the breakdown of the sorbic-protein adducts. Detoxication of nitrite by tocopherol and ascorbic acid leads, in the last case, to dehydroascorbic acid and its oxidative products with loss of vitamin activity. Any oxidizing substance destroys ascorbic acid, vitamin E and free vitamin A. Phosphates are largely used with different aims, including preservation, in food processing. Their antimicrobial activity is due to both a direct effect and an interaction with other antimicrobials. Sequestering capacity of phosphates and its nutritional implications are discussed. Also mechanisms of action of organic acids are reported, focusing on sorbic acid effects on single amino acids and proteins. Finally, the little information available about the potential impact of food preservatives on nutritional functions is presented.
Rietschel, R. L. (1978). "Contact urticaria from synthetic cassia oil and sorbic acid limited to the face." Contact Dermatitis 4(6): 347-9.
A patient with contact urticaria with skin and respiratory symptoms was found to be sensitive to both sorbic acid and synthetic oil of cassia. The contact urticaria was only elicitable on intact skin of the face by open testing. The source of the patient's contactants was her shampoo and toothpaste.
Rigg, A. (1997). "Sulphur dioxide in sausages and other products. ACT Health services. Food survey reports, www.health.act.gov."
Rowe, K. S. (1988). "Synthetic food colourings and 'hyperactivity': a double-blind crossover study." Aust Paediatr J 24(2): 143-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3395307/
Of 220 children referred for suspected 'hyperactivity', 55 were subjected to a 6 week trial of the Feingold diet. Forty (72.7%) demonstrated improved behaviour and 26 (47.3%) remained improved following liberalization of the diet over a period of 3-6 months. The parents of 14 children claimed that a particular cluster of behaviours was associated with the ingestion of foods containing synthetic colourings. A double-blind crossover study, employing a single-subject repeated measures design was conducted, using eight of these children. Subjects were maintained on a diet free from synthetic additives and were challenged daily for 18 weeks with either placebo (during lead-in and washout periods) or 50 mg of either tartrazine or carmoisine, each for 2 separate weeks. Two significant reactors were identified whose behavioural pattern featured extreme irritability, restlessness and sleep disturbance. One of the reactors did not have inattention as a feature. The findings raise the issue of whether the strict criteria for inclusion in studies concerned with 'hyperactivity' based on 'attention deficit disorder' may miss children who indicate behavioural changes associated with the ingestion of food colourings. Moreover, for further studies, the need to construct a behavioural rating instrument specifically validated for dye challenge is suggested.
Rowe, K. S. and K. J. Rowe (1994). "Synthetic food coloring and behavior: a dose response effect in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study." J Pediatr 125(5 Pt 1): 691-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7965420/
OBJECTIVE: To establish whether there is an association between the ingestion of synthetic food colorings and behavioral change in children referred for assessment of "hyperactivity." PARTICIPANTS: From approximately 800 children referred to the Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne) for assessment of suspected hyperactivity, 200 were included in a 6-week open trial of a diet free of synthetic food coloring. The parents of 150 children reported behavioral improvement with the diet, and deterioration on the introduction of foods noted to contain synthetic coloring. A 30-item behavioral rating inventory was devised from an examination of the clinical histories of 50 suspected reactors. Thirty-four other children (23 suspected reactors, 11 uncertain reactors) and 20 control subjects, aged 2 to 14 years, were studied. DESIGN: A 21-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study used each child as his or her own control. Placebo, or one of six dose levels of tartrazine (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg), was administered randomly each morning, and behavioral ratings were recorded by parents at the end of each 24 hours. RESULTS: The study identified 24 children as clear reactors (19 of 23 "suspected reactors," 3 of 11 "uncertain reactors," and 2 of 20 "control subjects"). They were irritable and restless and had sleep disturbance. Significant reactions were observed at all six dose levels. A dose response effect was obtained. With a dose increase greater than 10 mg, the duration of effect was prolonged. CONCLUSION: Behavioral changes in irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbance are associated with the ingestion of tartrazine in some children. A dose response effect was observed. PDF
Samuels, A. (1999). "The toxicity/safety of processed free glutamic acid (MSG): a study in suppression of information." Account Res 6(4): 259-310.
Schmidt, M. H., P. Mocks, et al. (1997). "Does oligoantigenic diet influence hyperactive/conduct-disordered children--a controlled trial." Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 6(2): 88-95.
A crossover 'placebo'-controlled, double-blind design was used to examine the effectiveness of an oligoantigenic diet in 49 children with hyperactive/disruptive behavior disorder. Effects of diet were compared with those yielded by stimulant medication (methylphenidate). The study was conducted in an inpatient unit at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim. Change in behavior was measured in standardized situations by trained raters, including behavior assessment when testing with CPT and PAT, during a free play situation, and at school. Twelve children (24%) showed significant behavioral improvement in two behavior ratings during diet relative to control diet conditions. Methylphenidate used in 36 children yielded more responders (44%) than diet. The amount of positive changes in behavior in those who received both treatments was about the same. Although only effective in a minority of children, dietary treatment cannot be neglected as a possible access to treating hyperactive/disruptive children and merits further investigation.
Schoenthaler, S., W. Doraz, et al. (1986). " The impact of a low food additive and sucrose diet on academic performance in 803 New York City public schools." International Journal of Biosocial Research 8(2): 185-195.
Schulte-Korne, G., W. Deimel, et al. (1996). "[Effect of an oligo-antigen diet on the behavior of hyperkinetic children]." Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother 24(3): 176-83.
The influence of an oligoantigenic diet on different dimensions of the behavior of 21 children diagnosed as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was examined. Treatment effects were assessed with three subjective measures (two questionnaires and an interview) and three objective measures (two attention tests and actometer). The study was divided into three phases: baseline, diet and provocation, each lasting three weeks. A crossover design was used. A significant effect was found for the subjective measures, but not for the objective measures. The results are discussed in terms of possible types of effects, e. g. rater effects and environmental effects. It may be that the oligoantigenic diet influences only certain dimensions of hyperactivity.
Scottish Food Co-ordination Committee "A survey of the level of sulphur dioxide preservatives in minced meat in Scotland 1988-1992."
Settipane, G. A., F. H. Chafee, et al. (1976). "Significance of tartrazine sensitivity in chronic urticaria of unknown etiology." J Allergy Clin Immunol 57(6): 541-6.
Of 38 patients with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology who were evaluated for food and drug additive sensitivity, 53% (20/38) had urticaria for 1 yr or more. Total eosinophil counts were not elevated in most patients, and the frequency of atopy was found to be similar to that in a general population. Of these 38 patients, 10 (26%) had a personal history of aspirin intolerance, but elimination of aspirin did not relieve the urticaria. In a double-blind crossover challenge with 0.22 mg of tartrazine and a control, tartrazine sensitivity was found in 8% (3/38) of patients with chronic urticaria and 20% (2/10) of patients with aspirin intolerance.
Speer, S. (1958). Management of Childhood Asthma. Springfield, Charles C Thomas.
Steel, R. J. (1997). "Thiamine deficiency in a cat associated with the preservation of 'pet meat' with sulphur dioxide." Aust Vet J 75(10): 719-21.
A cat with allergic dermatitis was fed a diet of fresh meat and a multi-vitamin supplement for 38 days to exclude food allergy as a cause of its dermatopathy. The cat died as a result of acute thiamine deficiency, which was caused by inactivation of thiamine by the preservative, sulphur dioxide. The continuing undeclared usage of sulphites in the Australian pet food industry is discussed.
Steinman, H. A., M. Le Roux, et al. (1993). "Sulphur dioxide sensitivity in South African asthmatic children." S Afr Med J 83(6): 387-90.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a well-known precipitant of asthmatic attacks. Many foodstuffs are preserved with SO2 and other sulphites. In this study 37 asthmatic children attending the Allergy Clinic at the Red Cross Children's Hospital were challenged with SO2 in apple juice in a dose similar to that commonly ingested in soft-drinks containing this preservative. The responses of these children were compared with the responses of 22 asthmatics challenged with apple juice alone. Sixteen out of 37 children (43.2%) challenged with SO2 reacted with a fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of more than 10% compared with none of the 22 control asthmatic children challenged with apple juice alone (P = 0.0016). Girls were found to be more sensitive than boys. A 20% or more fall in FEV1 occurred in 8 (21.6%) of the children challenged with SO2 compared with none in the control group (P = 0.039). There was an individual variability in the responses of sensitive individuals to the SO2 challenge. Reactions occurred in spite of maintenance medication and occurred within 5-30 minutes of challenge. Since sulphite sensitivity is common in asthmatic children, ingestion of sulphites should be avoided.
Steinman, H. A. and E. G. Weinberg (1986). "The effects of soft-drink preservatives on asthmatic children." S Afr Med J 70(7): 404-6.
Sulphites, used extensively as preservatives in foods and soft drinks, are known to precipitate asthma attacks in 5-10% of susceptible children. Among children attending the Allergy Clinic at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, many were found to be sensitive to sulphites. The basis of asthma therapy is modification of the environment and avoidance of precipitating factors. Medical personnel counselling parents of asthmatic children should be aware of this factor. A list of soft drinks containing sulphites and other preservatives is included.
Studdert, V. P. and R. H. Labuc (1991). "Thiamin deficiency in cats and dogs associated with feeding meat preserved with sulphur dioxide." Aust Vet J 68(2): 54-7.
Thiamin deficiency was diagnosed in cats and dogs being fed fresh minced meat, which contained sulphur dioxide as a preservative and less than 0.5 mg/kg thiamin. Thiamin in the meat and in added dietary ingredients, including a supplementary vitamin mixture, was destroyed by the sulphur dioxide.
Swain, AR., Dutton SP and Trusswell AS. (1985). "Salicylates in foods." J American Dietetic Ass85(8): 950-960. PDF
Swain, A., V. Soutter, et al. (1985). "Salicylates, oligoantigenic diets, and behaviour." Lancet 2(8445): 41-2.
Swain AR, Soutter VL, et al. (2002). Friendly Food. Sydney, Murdoch Books.
Swanson, J. M. and M. Kinsbourne (1980). "Food dyes impair performance of hyperactive children on a laboratory learning test." Science 207(4438): 1485-7.
Forty children were given a diet free of artificial food dyes and other additives for 5 days. Twenty of the children had been classified as hyperactive by scores on the Conners Rating Scale and were reported to have favorable responses to stimulant medication. A diagnosis of hyperactivity had been rejected in the other 20 children. Oral challenges with large doses (100 or 150 milligrams) of a blend of FD & C approved food dyes or placebo were administered on days 4 and 5 of the experiment. The performance of the hyperactive children on paired-associate learning tests on the day they received the dye blend was impaired relative to their performance after they received the placebo, but the performance of the nonhyperactive group was not affected by the challenge with the food dye blend.
Timberlake, C. M., A. K. Toun, et al. (1992). "Precipitation of asthma attacks in Melanesian adults by sodium metabisulphite." P N G Med J 35(3): 186-90.
Seven Melanesian asthmatic patients were challenged with substances that have been shown to precipitate asthma attacks in asthma patients in developed countries. Patients were challenged in a double-blind fashion using placebo and active substances. The active substances were tartrazine, sodium metabisulphite, aspirin and betel nut. All 7 patients were challenged with tartrazine and sodium metabisulphite; 5 were challenged with aspirin also, but only 2 were challenged with betel nut. Asthma attacks were precipitated by sodium metabisulphite in 3 patients. No other substances precipitated asthma. As sodium metabisulphite is a common food additive, these results suggest that processed foods introduced into developing countries may have an important role in precipitating asthma attacks in susceptible persons.
Towns, S. J. and C. M. Mellis (1984). "Role of acetyl salicylic acid and sodium metabisulfite in chronic childhood asthma." Pediatrics 73(5): 631-7.
The role of a commonly ingested food additive, the preservative sodium metabisulfite (MBS), and aspirin (ASA), in chronic asthma has been studied in 29 children. After 1 week on a strict elimination diet, all 29 children were challenged, in a single-blind fashion, in the pulmonary function laboratory on three consecutive days with placebo, MBS (capsule form and solution), and ASA. Children with a positive response to MBS were prescribed a diet that excluded foods containing MBS. Patients with a positive response to ASA were prescribed a diet excluding medications containing aspirin and natural salicylates. After 3 months on these restricted diets, the children were reassessed to determine whether there had been any therapeutic response. There was a 66% (19/29) incidence of positive challenge (greater than 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second) with MBS and a 21% (6/29) incidence of positive challenge with ASA. None of the children reacted to MBS in capsule form (maximum dose = 100 mg), but 19/29 reacted to MBS in solution with 30 mL of 0.5% citric acid. After 3 months on the restricted diet, four of 19 children on the MBS-free diet and one of six on the salicylate-free diet had objective signs of improvement, namely, reduction in asthma medications and/or improvement in lung function. Unfortunately, compliance with the restrictive diet during this 3-month period was poor, particularly with the ASA-sensitive children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Trindade, V. M., A. M. Brusque, et al. (2002). "Ganglioside alterations in the central nervous system of rats chronically injected with methylmalonic and propionic acids." Metab Brain Dis 17(2): 93-102.
Neurological dysfunction and structural cerebral abnormalities are commonly found in patients with methylmalonic and propionic acidemia. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuropathology of these disorders are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that methylmalonic and propionic acids induce a significant reduction of ganglioside N-acetylneuraminic acid in the brain of rats subjected to chronic administration of these metabolites. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo effects of chronic administration of methylmalonic (MMA) and propionic (PA) acids (from the 6th to the 28th day of life) on the distribution and composition of gangliosides in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of rats. Control rats were treated with the same volumes of saline. It was first verified that MMA and PA treatment did not modify body, cerebellum, or cortical weight, nor the ganglioside concentration in the cerebral cortex of the animals. In contrast, a significant reduction in total ganglioside content in the cerebellum of approximately 20-30% and 50% of control levels occurred in rats injected with MMA and PA, respectively. Moreover, chronic MMA and PA administration did not interfere with the ganglioside pattern in the cerebral cortex, whereas the distribution of individual gangliosides was altered in the cerebellum of MMA- and PA-treated animals. Rats injected with MMA demonstrated a marked decrease in GM1 and GD3, whereas chronic PA treatment provoked a significant reduction of all ganglioside species, with the exception of an increase in GM2. Since gangliosides are closely related to the dendritic surface and other neural membranes, indirectly reflecting synaptogenesis, these ganglioside abnormalities may be associated with the brain damage found in methylmalonic and propionic acidemias.
Uhlig, T., A. Merkenschlager, et al. (1997). "Topographic mapping of brain electrical activity in children with food-induced attention deficit hyperkinetic disorder." Eur J Pediatr 156(7): 557-61.
In 15 children suffering from food induced attention deficit hyperkinetic syndrome, topographic EEG mapping of brain electrical activity was carried out following avoidance and ingestion of previously identified provoking foods. A crossover design was used and recordings were interpreted independently by two investigators, one of whom was blind to the order of testing. During consumption of provoking foods there was a significant increase in betal activity in the frontotemporal areas of the brain. This investigation is the first one to show an association between brain electrical activity and intake of provoking foods in children with food-induced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that in a subgroup of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder certain foods may not only influence clinical symptoms but may also alter brain electrical activity.
Weiss, B., J. H. Williams, et al. (1980). "Behavioral responses to artificial food colors." Science 207(4438): 1487-9.
Twenty-two young children, maintained on a diet that excluded certain foods, were challenged intermittently with a blend of seven artificial colors in a double-blind trial. Parents' observations provided the criteria of response. One child that responded mildly to the challenge and one that responded dramatically were detected. The latter, a 34-month-old female, showed a significant increase in aversive behaviors. These results further confirm previous controlled studies.
Wyse, A. T., A. M. Brusque, et al. (1998). "Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase from rat brain cortex by propionic acid." Neuroreport 9(8): 1719-21.
Buffered propionic acid was injected s.c. into rats twice a day at 8 h intervals from the 6 to 21 days of age. Control rats received saline in the same volumes. The animals were weighed and killed by decapitation at 23 days. Whole brain and cerebral cortex were weighed and synaptic plasma membranes were prepared from cortex for the determination of Na+,K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities. Body, whole brain and cortical weights were similar in the two groups, suggesting that propionic acid does not cause malnutrition in rats. Na+,K+-ATPase activity was significantly reduced by 30% in membranes from the propionate-treated group, whereas Mg2+-ATPase activity was not. In another set of experiments, synaptic plasma membranes were prepared from cerebral cortex of 23-day-old rats and incubated with propionic acid at final concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 mM. Na+,K+-ATPase activity, but not Mg2+-ATPase activity, was inhibited by 22-32%. Since propionic acid concentrations in plasma of chronically treated rats and of propionic acidemic children are of the same order of magnitude as those tested in vitro, the results suggest that the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity may be related to the neurological dysfunction of patients affected by propionic acidaemia.
Sorbates:
Fisher AA. Cutaneous reactions to sorbic acid and potassium sorbate. Cutis. 1980 Apr;25(4):350, 352, 423. [there are many more like this without abstracts]
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 Feb;14(2 Pt 1):234-41. Sorbic acid-induced erythema and edema.Soschin D, Leyden JJ. Sorbic acid concentrations as low as 0.1% produced transient erythema with edema and flare after open or closed application to human skin. Multiple areas of the body were tested. Reactions were most intense on the face but also could be produced on the back, forearm, and deltoid areas. Sorbic acid-induced erythema, edema, and flare were not associated with mast cell degranulation. Pretreatment of skin with topical steroids to induce vasoconstriction resulted in a diminished response to sorbic acid. Aspirin blocked the erythematous component, suggesting that prostaglandins are important mediators. Systemic steroids, antihistamines, and hydroxyzine failed to influence sorbic acid-induced erythema and edema.
J Am Optom Assoc. 1986 Mar;57(3):188-9. Sorbic acid revisited.Josephson JE, Caffery B. 135 patients wearing hydrogel lenses were prescribed a care system of sorbic acid preserved surfactant, Lensept and Bausch and Lomb Sensitive Eyes Saline (sorbic acid 0.10%). Fifteen percent of patients presented with an adverse ocular response to their care system. The etiology was attributed to sorbic acid as the use of nonpreserved saline eliminated the signs and symptoms. This incidence of reaction is similar to those published earlier on thimerosal preserved saline and sorbic acid preserved saline.
Laryngoscope. 2000 Feb;110(2 Pt 1):312-7. Long-term use of preservatives on rat nasal respiratory mucosa: effects of benzalkonium chloride and potassium sorbate.Cho JH, Kwun YS, Jang HS, Kang JM, Won YS, Yoon HR. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul.
OBJECTIVES: The preservatives benzalkonium chloride (BZC) and potassium sorbate (PS) are widely used, not only for nasal drops, but also for eyedrops and cosmetics. However, there have been many case reports that consider lesions such as dermatitis or conjunctivitis to be the results of irritation induced by BZC or PS. METHODS: We evaluated the histological changes after the long-term administration of BZC or PS on rat nasal respiratory mucosa. Forty rats were used for the BZC group and 40 rats for PS group. Animals in each group were divided into four subgroups The first subgroup received a low-concentration preservative solution that was commonly used for nasal sprays. The second subgroup received a high-concentration preservative solution that was reported to induce dermatitis in humans. The third and fourth subgroups received a steroid mixed preservative solution of low and high concentrations, respectively. The control group was administrated normal saline. After each group received 1, 2, and 4 weeks of topical administration, the symptomatic and histological changes on H&E stain were observed. RESULTS: Sneezing and nasal rubbing with forelegs were observed in almost all subgroups by the seventh day of treatment. The preservatives induced nasal lesions, including intraepithelial glandular formation, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular hyperplasia, and edematous change. The symptomatic and histological changes were pronounced with the prolonged duration of administration. Similar results were observed in the steroid mixed-solution groups. In the PS steroid mixed-solution group, however, symptoms and nasal lesions were reduced with the prolonged duration of administration. CONCLUSION: It is our finding that even a low-concentration solution of preservative can lead to nasal lesion. Hence there is a strong need to develop both a preservative that can be safely and widely used and a nasal spray without preservatives.
Contact Dermatitis. 2005 Sep;53(3):176-7. Occupational contact dermatitis from potassium sorbate in milk transformation plant.Le Coz CJ, Abensour M. Unité de Dermato-Allergologie, Dermatologie Professionnelle et Photobiologie, Clinique Dermatologique des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact Dermatitis. 1978 Dec;4(6):347-9. Contact urticaria from synthetic cassia oil and sorbic acid limited to the face. Rietschel RL. A patient with contact urticaria with skin and respiratory symptoms was found to be sensitive to both sorbic acid and synthetic oil of cassia. The contact urticaria was only elicitable on intact skin of the face by open testing. The source of the patient's contactants was her shampoo and toothpaste.
Contact Dermatitis. 1982 Jan;8(1):1-6. Perioral contact urticaria from sorbic acid and benzoic acid in a salad dressing.Clemmensen O, Hjorth N. Contact urticaria was observed in a kindergarten in 18 of 20 children following the intake and accidental perioral application of a mayonnaise salad cream. In healthy adult controls, stinging tests and closed 20 minute patch test with the salad dressing were positive in 9 out of 12 and 4 out of 10 cases respectively. Twenty minute patch tests with the different components of the salad dressing were positive only so sorbic acid (SA) and benzoic acid (BA). Urticaria was provoked by inunction of the salad dressing periorally in two healthy boys. Serial 20 minute closed patch testing with varying concentrations of SA in 91 patients and BA in 41 patients gave almost identical results: positive reactions in two thirds of the patients with the highest concentrations.
Date of last update January 2016
Comments on some "newspaper" science:
Munger, D. Don't let your kids read this entry (Chocolate doesn't make them hyper) 2/11/06 http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/2006/11/dont_let_your_kids_read_this_e.php
detailed rebuttal - learn how to read studies like this
