From Donna Sharp
Phyllida Brown acknowledged “junk food, pesticides, and even chlorine in pools” as “other suspects” in the soaring asthma rates of the last 25 years in western societies (27 March, p 36).
All seem very likely to me, especially junk food. But I believe the emphasis should not be on the “junk” content of our diet but on the chemical additives in so many seemingly healthy foods that are now common in western diet. So many regular pre-prepared items of family fare are laced with chemical cocktails of flavour enhancers and artificial flavours of which a great many consumers are unaware. These chemicals are also common in many munchies, bar foods and takeaway foods.
I believe these artificial additives can adversely affect the brain’s functioning, our health, behaviour and immune systems in a variety of ways, and I believe that they are the main cause of the serious rise in the incidence of asthma and attention deficit disorder. I wish scientists would give top priority to research in this area. Unfortunately, big business would not be interested in funding such research, so the funds would need to come from governments.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
