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Food and Learning Disabilities: By Dr. Dorothy Fairley, ND

The belief that food can have an impact on brain function has been studied as early as the 1920s, when Shannon reported on the successful treatment of children with hyperactivity and learning disorders, using an elimination diet.(1) In the 1970s, Feingold reported that up to 50% of hyperactive children were sensitive to food additives, and naturally-occurring salicylates.(2,3) More recently, studies have shown that hyperactive behaviour in some children worsened after eating food dyes, or alternatively, that it improved on an additive-free diet.(4)

I question whether ‘food’ that has additives of any kind is actually a food. If it wasn’t the way that nature created it, then the systems of the body will have a more difficult time with the processing of it. In this era where speed is everything, our culture has become use to the convenience of pre-packaged foods. These ‘foods’ not only have the aforementioned additives, but also more salt, sugar and bad fats.

There is also the possibility of individual sensitivities to food. The common sensitivities: wheat, corn, dairy, soy, eggs, the nightshade family (tomato, potato, eggplant, peppers), can cause a wide range of reactions within the general population. In a person who experiences learning disabilities of any kind, it is possible that any food that they don’t tolerate well will increase the disability during the time that it is being digested in the body. The symptom of ‘brain fog’ is a common complaint in regard to food sensitivities. My clinic offers Vega testing to assess food intolerances, which is especially nice for children, because it doesn’t hurt.

One of the best foods for people with learning disabilities is the Essential Fatty Acids, also known as Omega Fatty Acids. These compounds are part of the cell membrane, and help to relay signal information from outside the cell to the cell interior.(5) It is also known that some of these fats are crucial for the proper development of the brain, particularly Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). In an infant brain, DHA comprises 18% of the total fatty acids, which is 11% of the weight. DHA continues to accumulate at a rapid rate up until 2 years of age. It then continues at a slower rate into adulthood.(6)  Studies have consistently shown that children with ADHD and Autism have significantly lower plasma concentrations of all of the Omega Fatty Acids.( 7, 8, 9)

Many other nutrients, including the Vitamin B group, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium have been found in various studies to be low in learning disabled children.(10, 11)

The most important component regarding food is the quality of it – fresh, organic, as close to the way that nature made it as possible. That alone will make a difference to anyone.

  1. Shannon WR. Neuropathic manifestations in infants and children as a result of anaphylactic reactions to foods contained in their diet. Am J Child Dis 1922; 24: 89-94
  2. Feingold BF. Introduction to Clinical Allergy. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas; 1973
  3. Feingold BF. Why Your Child is Hyperactive. New York, NY: Random House; 1975
  4. Schardt D. Diet and behavior in children. Nutrition Action Healthletter 2000; 27: 10-11. Washington, DC. Center for Science in the Public Interest.
  5. Willatts P, Forsyth JS. The role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant cognitive development. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2000; 63: 95-100
  6. Plummer N.Three Prevalent Topics: Clinical Nutrition for Infant Development Physiology. Presented Jan 20-21, 2007, Vancouver, B.C.
  7. Mitchell EA, Aman MG, Turbott SH, et al. Clinical characteristics and serum essential fatty acid levels in hyperactive children. Clin Pediatr 1987; 26: 406-411
  8. Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Deck JL et al. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr 1995; 62: 761-768
  9. Shattock P, Whiteley P. The Sunderland Protocol: A logical sequencing of Biomedical Interventions for the Treatment of Autism and Related Disorders. Sunderland, UK: Autism Research Unit, University of Sunderland; 2000
  10. Kidd PM. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rationale for Its Integrative Managament. Alt Med Review 2000; Vol 5, #5: 402-428
Kidd PM. Autism, An Extreme Challenge to Integrative Medicine Part 2: Medical Management. Alt Med Review 2002; Vol 7, #6: 472-499