In the article, "Brain Food for Thought," (http://www.ecoliteracy.org/article/brain-food-thought) by Dr. Alan Greene, a practicing pediatrician and author of the books, Raising Baby Green and Feeding Baby Green, has brought up a good question, "What's on your child's plate today?" Greene discusses the many links of a child's diet and neurodevelopment disorders. He has stated that in the United States, alone, we spend more than $80 billion each year treating and diagnosing brain disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Greene brings up a very good point when it comes to children's brain development. If we change the quality of food fed to babies and toddlers, would this help prevent ADHD? Greene believes that the food fed to babies and toddlers is very important in brain growth and would help decrease ADHD in children.
Since the brain is 60 percent fat, one of the key components needed to have a healthy brain is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is one of the omega-3 fatty acids. A child must consume DHA to build one of the major structures of the retina of the eye. With low levels of DHA, many problems have been seen in vision, behavior, and even intelligence. Therefore, if babies do not get DHA in their diet, due to eating "cheap" food, their brain is significantly less than babies that consume DHA.
Another key component to brain development is iron. Research has shown that low levels of ferritin (iron) was reported in children with ADHD. The lower the iron level, the increase in behavior problems, hyperactivity, and cognitive scores.
He also discusses the importance of antioxidants and organophosphates. By feeding a child organic foods, that can increase the antioxidants in their diet by 30 percent. Another benefit for feeding children organic foods is a decrease in organophosphates. Organophosphates are found in insecticides, and they act as nerve agents and are linked to neurodevelopmental brain issues.
By making sure your child is eating a healthy, organic diet, parents are giving their child's brain the best fuel for optimum growth and development. It is said that, "food affects kids' memory, attention, and cognitive skills" (20).
This is very interesting, I didn't know that food had that big of an affect on a child's brain. I wouldn't think that adding more chemicals to a child's diet would have a positive effect. It's a disturbing thought that cheap foods are the unhealthy ones and how that is all some families can afford. Poor familiar don't have the option to feed their kids properly which doesn't allow the child to develop in a good way. It's insane how our country is being ran with people being unhealthy because companies want to make money. Money has become more important than the health of our people; our nation definitely needs some change if it wants to move in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great take on the consequences of artificially made food and the carelessness of food production by attacking the mental affects that Americans are getting from this awful epidemic. I had no idea that the food we consume can cause ADHD. This information would make me think twice before eating another burger.
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