1. AL FRAYH 2001: (SAUDI ARABIA) This paper discusses the increased prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia, which had risen from 8% to 23% in the decade from 1986 to 1995. They blame this shocking rise on "the continuing changes in contemporary life." (And they discuss everything but dietary changes - oops.)
   
   
2. HELAL 2000: (EGYPT) All colorings tested caused kidney and liver damage in rats. There were 10 rats per cage, and they became hyperactive, nervous and aggressive on the dyes. Skin irritation was noticed with Yellow 6. Carmine and annatto may be as harmful as Yellow 6 and Green 3.
   Authors conclude: ". . . more caring must be done prevent our children to eat or drink these colorants with much amounts or for long period." [sic]
   
   
3. HELAL 2001: (EGYPT) When rats were given the ADIs of Yellow 6 and Sodium Nitrite together, they all died. Testing a different group of rats, Helal used one-tenth of the ADI of each chemical, combined, for 30 days. This caused significant changes in weight, thyroid, glucose, enzymes, cholesterol, etc. Selenium given with the mixture seemed to protect the rats from damage, and they recovered after 15 days of no treatment.
   Author concludes that "even the permitted doses of colourants and food preservatives may be harmful."
   
   
4. ISMAIL 2003: (EGYPT) Low doses of Yellow 6 and sodium nitrate were given rats either alone or together for a month. Only 1 mg/kg per day was used - about one-third of the ADI of each. Separately and together, the additives caused dramatic kidney damage.
   The authors say these additives are "harmful to human health so we must avoid food stuffs containing these substances as much as possible."
   
   
5. HELAL 2005: (EGYPT) Rats were given one-tenth the ADIs of Yellow 6 and Sodium Nitrite together, with and without garlic. The garlic - a good source of selenium - seemed to protect the rats from damage.
   Authors recommend giving children and adults aged garlic every day to protect them from "tragic effects resulting from food additives and other food toxins."
   Note: This and the Helal 2001 study both used very low doses of Yellow 6.
   
   
6. MAHMOUD 2006 (EGYPT) Rats given Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue) for 15 to 45 days showed liver damage, kidney failure, and testes damage with failure to produce live sperm.
   Author says this work confirms the "destructive effect of the synthetic dye brilliant blue on liver, kidney and testes functions."
   
   
7. IBRAHIM 2008: (EGYPT) Upon exposure to sunlight, Yellow 6 in drinks or soda is degraded to benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (BSA). BSA caused liver damage and an increase in tumor markers in rats. Treatment with either ginger or green tea prevented damage and promoted recovery. Mechanisms are discussed, and it is proposed that ginger and green tea stimulate the cytochrome P450 and other systems, converting BSA to less reactive metabolites more easily excreted.
   The authors recommend that "synthetic coloring agents and food additives should be excluded from foods which may be consumed by young children."
   
   
8. HASSAN 2009: (EGYPT) In seven weeks, the ADI of Yellow 5 and a tenth of the ADI of Chocolate Brown (banned in the US but used in other countries) each caused DNA degradation, chromosome abnormalities, liver and kidney damage, and increased heart weight.
   Author concludes these colorants "should not be used as additive in man’s diet ..."
   
   
9. AL-SHINNAWY 2009: (EGYPT) Rats eating Red 2 for 30 days had fewer red blood cells, and less hemoglobin, cholesterol and growth. Blood sugar went up, urea and serum creatinine were disturbed, and the immune system was affected. Elevated enzymes showed liver damage, but the lower dose group showed some recovery after a month off the dyes.
   Author concludes this food dye caused "many disturbances in the hematological and biochemical parameters."
   
   
10. HASHEM 2011: (EGYPT) High doses of Yellow 6 damaged the liver, and high doses of Red 2 given to pregnant rats caused skeletal abnormalities in 25% of the pups.
    The authors concluded that Red 2 should be avoided during pregnancy.

Elaine Hall, an actress and mother of a child with autism, is the founder of The Miracle Project and author of "Now I See the Moon." It is not the biomedical approach, but has good ideas written with understanding and empathy.

On Christmas Eve last year, the Huffington Post published her blog post, 7 Gifts to Take to a Family with Autism.

Definitely worth reading - gifts include:
Your time
Your help
Your place in line
An invitation
A meal
A simple gift
Unconditional love

I'd like to suggest one more -- perhaps after the holidays when things settle down? -- a link to two pages on the Feingold website about how diet also can be part of the puzzle:
Autism, PDD, Aspergers
Autism, PDD, Aspergers - Discussion

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