by Lynn Dancey Rudkin

Created on: April 13, 2011

Is it a coincidence that the frequency and severity of ADHD and other neurological problems in children have increased as more and more artificial ingredients, such as red dye, have made their way into food and drink? 

The Food and Drug Administration finally is investigating the link of dyes in food to detrimental behavior in children diagnosed with ADHD, autism and other neurological challenges.  Finally there are signs that the FDA is changing its opinion after saying for years that there was no evidence to that fact. 

FIND YOUR OWN SOLUTION

While the agency gives the subject some long overdue attention, every parent of a child with hyperactive behavior or abnormal behavior should investigate whether or not there is a link between dyes and ADHD in his or her own child.  

With a simple test that you can safely run at home without fear of endangering your child, you could actually help your child have a normal life.

Record your child’s typical behavior, give him something with red dye, wait a few minutes, then again record actions, keeping in mind that reactions can happen quickly and may or may not have residual effects for days.  Keep track over a couple of weeks to see his physical responses and emotional reaction after ingesting anything with dye or preservatives.   

Before our child could walk, a friend gave him about an ounce of Big Red, and within 15 minutes all of our mouths hit the floor as we watched him go totally ballistic, zipping across the floor like the Road Runner.  We started watching everything that went into his mouth. Whenever he ate or drank food or liquid containing the tiniest trace of red dye, his behavior was turbulent, he bounced off the walls, and otherwise exhibited erratic energy.   Each time, it took days for the effects to wear off.

Desperate, I started hearing and reading about possible effects of red dye. When presented with the idea, my husband said, “That’s voodoo, but (changing) the diet won’t hurt him and might help because it seems healthy.”  We withheld everything that had red dye or preservatives.  Daycare workers and teachers were cautioned not to let him have any of those items, and we provided all of his food and drinks. We went cold turkey. 

During that time, we received an education:  Most drinks, baked goods, chocolate chips, and even meat were full of red dye and preservatives.

Sometimes it was difficult finding

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