Brain Development & Food
Why bother with diet?
Dr Pauc states in his book that the western diet of junk food with excess sugar, additives and salt is poisoning our children. Already fragile neurons will not improve with our treatment if they are being poisoned on a daily basis.
A child’s nervous system is delicate, especially if you suspect he/she has Developmental Delay. Their nervous system along with the rest of their body will be growing, maturing and developing up to their early twenties. Some nutrients are essential for nerve development some additives are detrimental. Our page titled Brain Development/dis] highlights the importance of nerve stimulation for nerve and brain development. If nerves are stimulated in the absence of appropriate fuel / nutrients, they will not be able to develop adequately. For this reason we always pay careful attention to what children are eating.
Scientific research and general awareness about food and the brain are growing. Studies have shown diet has an affect on the brain, it influences:
• Children’s ability to concentrate and behave at school
• Prisoner’s behaviour
• Mental health in adults
• How severe the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are in the elderly
Sugar Addicts
All cells need fuel; oxygen and glucose but they don’t need too much at any one time. Too much carbohydrate, pure sugary foods and foods with a high glyceamic index flood the developing neurons with too much fuel. This causes a temporary “high” by triggering a specific dopamine area of the brain associated with pleasure. So the brain “enjoys” this sugar rush and then craves the next “high”.
However, some neurons in the brain do not enjoy this high, they have to burn more fuel than they can cope with which leads to what’s termed Oxidative Stress. Oxidative stress occurs when fuel is burnt for energy by any cells in the body, including neurons - just like petrol engines emitting exhaust fumes free radicals are emitted when our cells burn energy, they are strongly associated with aging and some cancers.
If one’s diet is high in anti-oxidants like fresh fruit and vegetables, the free radicals are mopped up. If not, the free radicals remain and clog up the cells engine in a similar way to how exhaust fumes can prevent combustion if they stay in the engine. Neurons affected in this way may not have sufficient energy to work efficiently and develop.
Dopamine addicts
Children that crave the dopamine highs also tend to be risk takers and maybe more likely to have addictive personalities. It may be important not to over excite their pleasure centre at an early age with too much carbohydrate, pure sugary foods and foods with a high glyceamic index. It is thought that dopamine cravers are more likely to crave other more addictive substances if they regularly receive temporary “highs” from foods.
Fussy eaters
Children that get these cravings can become fussy eaters. They insidiously create their own diet often based on nothing but carbohydrates and pure sugars. The child becomes addicted to this type of diet often duping parents into providing their child with high glyceamic index foods like sugary sweets, pasta, crisps and fizzy drinks.
E numbers additives & preservatives
Another problem with this child-driven diet is that it often contains significant levels of stabilizers, colorants, etc. The immature brain cannot cope some of these. Aspartame, used in many soft drinks is implicated in what has been called “glutamate storms”. It would appear that aspartame triggers the release of excessive amounts of glutamate (a chemical in the brain) resulting in hyperactive and often pointless, destructive behaviour in children.
E numbers.
The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group recommends that the following be avoided:
E102, E104, 107, E110, E120, E122, E123, E124, E127, E128, E132, E133, E150, E151, E154, E155, E160B, E210, E211, E220, E250, E251, E320 & E321.
Beware that some products no longer write aspartame on the label, they just use it’s E number E951
Babies and young children may not benefit from:
E213, E214, E215, E216, E217, E218, E219, E310, E311, E312, E420, E421, 621, 622, 623, 627, 631 & 635.
Asthma sufferers could be affected by:
E211, E212, E213, E214, E215, E216, E217, E218, E219, E310, E311, E312, E321, E421, 621, 622, 623, 627, 631 & 635.
The following are possibly carcinogenic (tending to cause cancer):
E110, E123, E127, E153, E249, E250, E251, E252, E320, E321, 905, 907 & E954.
Some E-numbers tested as safe have been shown to react with other safe E-numbers and become toxic to neurons. Not all have been tested in this way so is it just best to avoid as many as possible?
Azo dyes:
E102, 107, E110, E122, E123, E124, E128, E129, E151, 154, 155 & E180
And preservatives:
E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E225, E226 & E227
If in doubt consult – “E for Additives” by M Hanssen Published by Thorsons. ISBN 0-7225-1562-6
What can you do?
So, if too much fuel and excessive food additives are beyond the developing brains limited ability to cope, what can the parent do to help? Click on these links for some help:Foods and supplements that help brain development and Diet tips for children
