Crohn's Disease, G6PD Deficiency
Intestinal symptoms seem to go along with symptoms of both ADHD and autism. For some, it is undiagnosed celiac disease even when there are no intestinal symptoms. For others there is an overgrowth of yeast which can cause intestinal distress. Yet others may have lactose intolerance which can cause painful gas, flatulence, and bloating (lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, or milk sugar, not to be confused with sensitivity to casein, which is a milk protein).
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It is named after the physician who described the disease in 1932.
Crohn's disease is related closely to another chronic inflammatory condition that involves only the colon called ulcerative colitis. Together, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) is the most common human enzyme deficiency, afflicting an estimated 400 million people worldwide. This genetic disorder may be so prevalent partly because it may make the person resistant to malaria, but its down-side can be quite serious. Not only can it cause severe jaundice in newborns, but people with G6PD deficiency can develop hemolytic anemia - which can be deadly - in response to a number of drugs, some foods (i.e., fava beans) and oxidative stress.
Diet ConnectionIn 2002, Sasaki et al showed that all seven of the food dyes he studied "induced DNA damage in the gastrointestinal organs at a low dose."
Blue Colon at Autopsy,
Granville 2001In 2003, the FDA issued a warning that Blue #1 should no longer be used in the mix for tube feedings given to patients in hospitals. Although the coloring was used in an effort to see the food in case the tube was misplaced, what they found is that the patients were dying - but not from their diseases. They were dying from the Blue #1 which was passing through the gut membranes and causing bright blue colons to be found on autopsy. The FDA admitted in their warning that Blue #1 is known to be toxic to mitochondria (the little energy-factories inside cells of the body).
Back in 1989, Antico reported that according to his observations, he could "draw the conclusion that food additives intolerance may be a major factor in the pathogenesis of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)."
Many of our members report that in addition to ADHD, their children had either chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation - or a mixture of both - and that on the Feingold diet these symptoms resolved. More . . .
Links: - Research on GI problems & diet
- Research on G6PD & diet
- List of Drugs people with G6PD must not take
- FDA advisory on Blue #1 used in enteral (tube) feedings
Updated: 12/8/2013
