Allergies to gluten and casein -- which have been shown to aggravate behavioral issues in children with ADHD -- appear to be on the rise. These substances are common in a variety of foods and ingredients, including wheat, rye, oats, milk, ice cream and yogurt. The official diagnosis for this type of allergy is "celiac disease."

"Although there is no scientific evidence on the effectiveness of gluten-free and/or casein-free diets, many parents have reported improvement in controlling the behavior and symptoms of their child & by following such a diet," Indianapolis Star correspondent Joanie Fuson reported in a Jan. 20 article.

Celiac disease is an inherited disorder that causes the immune system to attack the small intestine when gluten or casein is consumed. As a result, nutrients arent properly absorbed into the body.

Labels: behavior, allergies, health

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A German study has found that children with eczema, a skin condition characterized by a red itchy rash, are more likely to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Among 1,436 children who had eczema, the ADHD rate was 5.2 percent, compared to 3.4 percent among 1,436 children without eczema. About 20 percent of all children in western countries have eczema, which is linked to hay fever and asthma. Many parents of children with ADHD experiment with natural food diets because they believe the disorder is allergy-based.

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Labels: allergies, diet, studies

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