The Low Oxalate Diet strives to eliminate dietary intake of oxalates.

Oxalates are not normally a problem if beneficial bacterial levels are good and the junctures of the gut are tight; however, if the gut is leaky and bacterial levels are low, oxalates can damage certain body tissues.

There is some controversy regarding oxalates and some parents prefer to address the problem through the Fat Soluble Vitamin protocol as opposed to restricting diet

(see the vitamin K yahoo group for in-depth information on this point of view).

The Feingold diet eliminates all artificial phenolic additives and some salicylates.

It may be a good for children who seem to have reactions to phenols (hyperactivity, red ears, crazy laughing, night waking are some common signs).

Some parents choose to use No-Fenol enzymes rather than the complete diet (see list of supplements).

Many parents choose to use this diet in conjunction with another diet.

Testing ?

None for phenol sensitivity. Although children who regularly show red ears can be sensitive to phenols.

Where to get more information.

http://www.feingold.org/

A rotation diet is one where certain foods, or groups of foods, are rotated in and out of the diet on a schedule to prevent food reactions or food sensitivities from developing or worsening.

An elimination diet is one where foods are removed from the diet for a prolonged period of time before reintroduction.

By doing this, one is able to "test" the response to each particular food, to see if there is a negative response. Testing can be done to determine allergies and intolerances to food.

Please see Testing in our Useful Documents section to learn more about tests available.