Nutrition and Education
Nutrition can have a profound effect on growth, development, and behaviour.
Today’s food supply doesn’t make it easy, with food additives, artificial ripening, the 5% labelling loophole, and processed foods.
Food is obviously the body’s fuel, and quite often, a child is getting plenty of energy but can be nutritionally starving. The body is a sophisticated series of chemical reactions, and if nutrients are not available, the body simply can’t function effectively. Sometimes a diet can be adequate, but a child is affected by food additives, salicylates, or amines.
Food additives can be tricky to navigate, one almost needs a science degree to decipher the labels. Furthermore, food manufacturers don’t need to label anything that is less than 5% of the overall product.
It’s a frustrating system!
Fruits and vegetables that have been harvested whilst green can be high in salicylates, which are the plant’s natural defences and decline upon ripening. Unfortunately, salicylates block neuro-receptors in the brain and tend to accumulate. This also increases the amount of vitamin C, iron, and potassium that is excreted from the body, leading to lethargy, a lowered immune system, and can also cause behavioural issues.
Amines are naturally occurring substances found in meat and dairy, and result when fruits and vegetables are overripe, especially tomatoes or tomato-based sauces. Amines tend to have an accumulative effect and can cause headaches, inattention, and behavioral concerns. Those who suffer from hay fever are highly likely to also be sensitive to amines.
