Eliminating artificial ingredients' impact on tics

[Guest Vickia]

Most the regulars here are pretty committed to removing artificial ingredients, and Jeff has been our most vocal spokesperson on getting so many of us on board (thanks Jeff!).

 

This first post summarized what people have posted on this--I will try to keep it updated.

 

1. Do you try to eliminate artificial ingredients?

2. Have you noticed any correlation with tics or behavior (if especially with certain ones, please note it.

 

 

FYI, there are two main non-profit groups with info on this.  www.feingold.org, (from Jeff) and Failsafe (from Ausclare).

 

STATS SO FAR:

7 of 7 try to eliminate.  7 of 8 definitely noticed a correlation with tics.  It seems with this one, reintroduction after elimination for an initial  period can be very telling.

 

1. Chemar--  Yes. Yes-He reacts big time to artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and MSG and so we totally avoid these.

 

2. Heather-- Yes. Yes--My son is sensitive to Dyes and Colours, HVP (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, which contains MSG.  Elimination dramatically helped in reducing tics

 

3. Phyl --Yes. Yes--We did  notice a direct effect whenever he had artificial food coloring - these caused facial tics and hyperactivity. (He couldn't stop running from room to room). Also msg affects him greatly - he has trouble breathing and gets very anxious. So we avoid those things.

 

4. Susanna --Yes.  Yes--His tics were  under control after elimination of the artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup

 

5. efgh  --Yes.  Yes--immediate reaction with regard to his tics/behaviour/asthma ... example Flavoured pringles, Fanta, etc immdly sets off the tics in him. So, I stick only to natural stuff most of the time.

 

6. Jeff -- Yes (both daughters) Yes--The artificial colors and flavors definitely cause us to tic. We noticed improvement within a couple of weeks of eliminating, and we've followed the Feingold program for 4-5 years now. Tics are no longer an issue. When we eat too much of a bad thing, we see the tics coming back.

 

7. Ausclare.  Yes. Yes.  Also eliminates salicylates and amines, per Failsafe.

 

 

Others, please add when you have a chance...

4985[/snapback]

[Guest Vickia]

Most the regulars here are pretty committed to removing artificial ingredients, and Jeff has been our most vocal spokesperson on getting so many of us on board (thanks Jeff!).

 

This first post summarized what people have posted on this--I will try to keep it updated.

 

1. Do you try to eliminate artificial ingredients?

2. Have you noticed any correlation with tics or behavior (if especially with certain ones, please note it.

 

 

FYI, there are two main non-profit groups with info on this.  www.feingold.org, (from Jeff) and Failsafe (from Ausclare).

 

STATS SO FAR:

7 of 7 try to eliminate.  7 of 8 definitely noticed a correlation with tics.  It seems with this one, reintroduction after elimination for an initial  period can be very telling.

 

1. Chemar--  Yes. Yes-He reacts big time to artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and MSG and so we totally avoid these.

 

2. Heather-- Yes. Yes--My son is sensitive to Dyes and Colours, HVP (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, which contains MSG.  Elimination dramatically helped in reducing tics

 

3. Phyl --Yes. Yes--We did  notice a direct effect whenever he had artificial food coloring - these caused facial tics and hyperactivity. (He couldn't stop running from room to room). Also msg affects him greatly - he has trouble breathing and gets very anxious. So we avoid those things.

 

4. Susanna --Yes.  Yes--His tics were  under control after elimination of the artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup

 

5. efgh  --Yes.  Yes--immediate reaction with regard to his tics/behaviour/asthma ... example Flavoured pringles, Fanta, etc immdly sets off the tics in him. So, I stick only to natural stuff most of the time.

 

6. Jeff -- Yes (both daughters) Yes--The artificial colors and flavors definitely cause us to tic. We noticed improvement within a couple of weeks of eliminating, and we've followed the Feingold program for 4-5 years now. Tics are no longer an issue. When we eat too much of a bad thing, we see the tics coming back.

 

7. Ausclare.  Yes. Yes.  Also eliminates salicylates and amines, per Failsafe.

 

 

Others, please add when you have a chance...

4985[/snapback]

 

 

8. Vickia-yes, my son's tics are worse with nitrates and corn syrup (and we're still eliminating others)

[Claire]

SORRY for so many posts tonight, but here is the last survey thread that would be good to update right now.

 

We have other threads on commonality in test results (low glutathione, low zinc, metals), but that would be for another time.

 

Again, the first posts says what information would be appreciated. Let's pass the torch and help other families with what we have learned.

 

Claire

[julia24]

9. Yes-yes. Tics are immediately worse after consuming artificial colors, artificial flavors, any preservatives, MSG (in any form), caffeine & some of the highest salicylate foods. "Natural" foods from the health food store are NOT usually safe. (I just cook from scratch.)

[Jeff]

Yes, we still avoid artificial colors and flavors, and preservatives BHA, BHT, and TBHQ.

Yes, for us there is a direct correlation between consuming those items and our tics.

Corn syrup has had nasty effects on our younger daughter - mostly behavioral.

My daughters are now 12 and 14 years old. We began eliminating these items 7 years ago, and we have never returned to the level of tics that we were experiencing before starting. Not even close.

As they have gotten older and bigger, we have found that we can deviate more often without any worrisome consequences. Tics do return, but they are mild, not noticeable to anyone outside the family, and they don't last long. We still keep an artificial-free diet in our house, but the girls do tend to eat more snacky things that we wouldn't have eaten in the past. For example, an occasional Snicker's or Hershey bar is not a problem, but we stay away from things like Skittles, Twizzlers, etc.

Sorry if I gave more than the requested info. I just know that this type of diet can be overwhelming, so I want everyone to know that, in our case, we haven't had to go to the lengths that some do.

Jeff

[Cum Passus]

Yes, My husband has never stopped eating the bad foods because in the 60s & 70s no one knew he had anything but bad habits. To this day he eats what ever he wants drinks soda all day long (pepsi) He worked as a resturant manager for years and ate what ever was on the menu every day. Same with his father drinks coffee a lot..Thought I would share since my son hopes to eat a candy bar again some day.

 

C.P.

[quan_daniel]

Wow..snicker..

 

Wow..

My child only eats ice cream cakes on birthday and holidays..no candies allow..

In times they don't seem to crave them anymore, but the ice cream..they are like a packof wolves!!!

 

Just swallow the whole ice cream cake..

[Jeff]

Depending on your triggers, there are many all-natural treats. We eat several varieties of Breyer's Ice Cream (the black/white boxes... no arts, no Corn Syrup, but read the labels), there are all-natural candy stores where you can buy home-made candies (chocolate butter-creams, coconut creams, all-natural candy bars, etc. (try www.squirrels-nest.com). Or try your local health-food stores.

You can also buy all-natural cake mixes, we make chocolate-chip cookies with Ghirardelli all-natural chocolate chips. We use Aunt Jemima's pancake mix, and 100% maple syrup, we drink whole milk, use real butter, Polaner's jellies, Pepperidge Farm cookies..., etc. Cereal choices are limited... we usually go organic on those. Actually, there are plenty of choices, but they don't taste that great. We also like the Aunt Jemima coffee cake mix.

Again, it depends on your triggers, but if you're only avoiding artificials, there are many all-natural choices out there.

And as your children get older and bigger, it's likely that they'll be able to tolerate more..., like a miniature snickers, for example.

Hope this helps...

Jeff