On March 31st a special FDA Food Advisory Committee voted that there is “not enough evidence to conclude that artificial dyes used to color foods contribute to hyperactivity in children. That means juices, candies, cereals, yogurts, and hundreds of other everyday foods will maintain their brighter-than-bright hues.”

This is sad news for a country that is already enduring epic numbers of children being affected by ADD/ADHD and other health issues which are exacerbated by food preservatives.

Many tudies show that “when children who are already hyperactive eat food that is artificially colored, they become even more hyper.”

As reported on CBS.com by Nancy Cordes, “an analysis of 21 of the most conclusive studies found compelling evidence that, indeed, artificial dyes could contribute to hyperactivity, restlessness, and attention problems in some children – particularly those with ADHD. What’s more, the studies suggested that removing dyes from those children’s diet was a quarter to half as effective in reducing those symptoms as giving the kids Ritalin or other stimulants. In other words, certain kids with ADHD might not need drugs if the artificial dyes were removed from their diets.”

In the European Union, the Food Standards Agency has called for a voluntary ban of sunset yellow (E110), quinoline yellow (E104), carmoisine (E122), allura red (E129), tartrazine (E122) and ponceau 4R (E124) after the board “decided precautionary action was needed. (Guardian.co.uk)”

This use of the precautionary principle is too often lacking in this country. What’s the precautionary principle you might ask? Well, it’s a pretty good way to live life, as many parents will tell you. Here’s the definition from The Precautionary Principle Project:

“Precaution – the “precautionary principle” or “precautionary approach” – is a response to uncertainty, in the face of risks to health or the environment. In general, it involves acting to avoid serious or irreversible potential harm, despite lack of scientific certainty as to the likelihood, magnitude, or causation of that harm.”

To protect yourself and your family, take it upon yourself to use this easy resource from IATP and the Center for Science In The Public Interest, the group that asked the FDA to convene the special food coloring panel in March.

Food & Food coloring database

Known as the Food & Food Coloring Database, this simple online chart allows you to search by a brand, food or additive so you can start to see which food colorings or preservatives are lurking in your snacks, meals and beverages.

Parents and doctors have been using the Feingold diet, created by Dr. Benjamin Feingold, since the 1970′s that promotes eliminating food additives such as dyes and preservatives as a way to treat hyperactive children.

Luckily, you can find delicious, safe treats for you and your family at NaturalCandyStore.com. This great resource offers candy, food colorings, and baking decorations that are created with vegetable and natural dyes. Be sure to check out their awesome Easter offerings!

So naturally, women turn to over the counter products like Metamucil, which brands itself as the “#1 Doctor Recommended” product to counteract constipation. This product is mainly psyllium husks, which come from plant husks.

Did you know that Metamucil products ALSO contain:

Gelatin (animal source), Polysorbate 80, Caramel Color, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Polysorbate 80, Caramel Color, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Natural and Artificial Orange Flavor, Aspartame, FD&C Yellow No. 6, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Blue No. 1.

Many of these food colorings are directly linked with hyperactivity, learning disorders, digestive disorders, AND hide dangerous toxins.

These colorings are not safe, although they are approved by the FDA.

They are certified to contain no more than the amount of lead, mercury, arsenic, benzidine, and other contaminants that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers acceptable.

In my opinion, none of these dangerous ingredients should be allowed in our food supply.

According to the good people at Feingold.org, a dye and additive free diet organization that counsels people on how to clear up disorders like IBS, ADD and ADHD:

“All the synthetic dyes are allowed to contain harmful contaminants like lead, mercury, arsenic, and benzidine (a carcinogen). Lead usually targets the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells first, eventually attacking your nervous system. The primary effects of mercury on infants and children are to damage neurological development. Arsenic can cause several kinds of cancer, as well as headaches and confusion. While it is true that colorings don’t have large amounts of any of these contaminants, there is no good reason to consume them…

Yellow #5 & Yellow #6 are each allowed to have 1 ppb (parts per billion) of benzidine. That is a really tiny amount; benzidine is known to cause cancer but it apparently can’t be easily removed from the dye, so the FDA decided to allow it at that amount…

One major characteristic that seems to apply to all chemically-sensitive people is that they get upset, anxious and agitated very easily. Whether the person is 3-years-old or 33, they have a short fuse.”

I know women who have been taking Metamucil almost daily – for years. Can we know how much lead, benzidine, and other toxic synthetics are lurking in their bodies because of the “healthy” product their doctor recommended?

The synthetic “D&C” colors are allowed to contain 10 ppm (parts per million) of lead.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems.”

Low-grade exposure to small amounts of lead may not show symptoms for years, but can increase the risk of high blood pressure and mental illness and decline in the future. Adult symptoms of lead poisoning can include:

• Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
• Muscular weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
• Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
• Fatigue

My recommendation for constipation issues is to stay away from any product that contains synthetic colors and preservatives. Instead, eat a diet of whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Try my favorite Detox Drink recipe seen here.

To boost your elimination naturally with a toxin-free product, try:

-       Freshly ground flax seeds (on sale here)

-       100% Psyllium Husks (on sale here)

For more information on the Feingold Diet and how it has been used to help clear up ADD/ADHD symptoms:

http://www.feingold.org/