Dr. Benjamin Feingold was a pediatric allergist who made a correlation between certain foods and additives and children's behavior and ability to learn. He read the research of Dr. Richard Lockey from Mayo Clinic who had designed a diet for allergies that focused on exclusion of specific foods and had helped some patients with allergies. Building on that diet, he presented a paper in June 1973 to the American Medical Association that stated that salicylates, artificial colors, and artificial flavors cause hyperactivity in children. The presentation of that paper began his quest for answers to the problems of attention and hyperactivity.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1899, Feingold graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an M.D. in 1924. He studied extensively in the United States and in Germany, and after several distinguished positions, joined the Kaiser Foundation Hospital and Permanente Medical Group in 1951 to establish a Department of Allergy. His research led him to conclude that the items people take into their mouths affect behavior.

When he presented his report to the AMA in 1973, the science of nutrition was in its infancy. The idea that biochemicals in food might affect behavior was not accepted. However, Feingold was convinced of the connection and developed the Feingold Diet (also known as the Feingold Program), which he claimed could help both children and adults and had no side effects (Feingold 1974). He spent his professional life traveling throughout the world to encourage his diet and the formation of support groups for people with attention and behavior disorders. From these support groups, the Feingold Association of the United States was formed.

The Feingold Diet remains controversial. He wrote several books about the diet, along with a cookbook. Many mainstream physicians deny the claims as unproven; others consider his recommendations as scientifically solid. However, Feingold decorated his office with notes and pictures from those that he helped and referred to them as ''my kids.''

Bibliography:

1) Feingold, B. F. 1973. Introduction to clinical allergy. New York: Charles C. Thomas

2) Feingold, B. F. 1974. Why your child is hyperactive. New York: Random House

3) Feingold, B. F. 1979. The Feingold cookbook for hyperactive children. New York: Random House.

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