Related Experiment Videos
Salicylate sensitivity in children reported to respond to salicylate exclusion
Insights
The Feingold (K-P) diet may help children with behavioral issues. Acetylsalicylic acid challenge testing revealed significant impacts on cognitive capacity, motor skills, and sleep patterns in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Parental reports suggest the Feingold (K-P) diet improves behavioral problems in children.
- The Feingold diet restricts artificial food colorings, salicylates, and other additives.
- Understanding the physiological impact of dietary components on behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively assess the effects of acetylsalicylic acid on children with reported Feingold diet benefits.
- To investigate the neurological and psychological responses to a common food additive challenge.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, cross-over trial involving 12 children (aged 6-13) who had benefited from the Feingold diet.
- Children were challenge-tested with acetylsalicylic acid (40 mg) versus ascorbic acid (placebo).
- Psychological, neurological tests, and parental ratings (Conners' Questionnaire) were used for assessment over four days post-ingestion.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in general cognitive capacity tests.
- Motor function tests, including line walking and finger-to-nose tests, showed significant changes.
- Increased disturbance in sleep patterns was reported following acetylsalicylic acid ingestion.
Conclusions:
- Acetylsalicylic acid challenge testing demonstrated objective neurological and cognitive effects in children who improved on the Feingold diet.
- These findings suggest a potential physiological basis for the behavioral improvements observed with the Feingold diet.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms linking dietary components, additives, and neurobehavioral outcomes in children.
Abstract:
Twelve children, aged six to 13 years, whose parents reported an improvement in behavioural problems with use of the Feingold (K-P) diet for an average period of 12 months, were challenge-tested with 40 mg of acetylsalicylic acid in a double-blind, cross-over trial with ascorbic acid as a placebo. The children were tested within three hours of ingestion of either the experimental or placebo tablet with a battery of psychological and neurological tests, and were rated by a parent on an enlarged Conners' Parent-Teacher Questionnaire for four days after the ingestion of the tablet. It was found that significance was reached in tests of general cognitive capacity, line walking and the "finger-to-nose" tests, as well as increased disturbance in sleep patterns in these children.