Solving the Puzzle of Your Hard-To-Raise Child

Pediatrician Crook (The Yeast Connection) and Stevens (How to Feed Your Hyperactive Child), the mother of two children, here effectively demonstrate how food-related allergies may be linked to hyperactivity and other behavior problems, learning disabilities, tension, fatigue, depression, mood swings, headaches, abdominal and leg pain, ear infections, colds and respiratory problems and other disorders. Potential allergens include refined and processed foods loaded with fat, sugar, artificial flavorings, colorings, preservatives and other additives, as well as yeast, wheat, corn, citrus, eggs and/or milk. The authors explain the harmful role of pollutants and possible side-effects of antibiotics as well. Slightly condescending is the header ""Laura comments'' for Stevens's remarks, and one wishes the information on food-allergy vaccines was more detailed or, as is the case with some books in this genre, that a list of recommended physicians was included, but these are minor drawbacks. This is an otherwise excellent, reassuring and necessary guidebook, replete with case studies, diets, checklists and questionnaires, offering unorthodox, but well-documented, methods for treating often elusive problems that frequently are not addressed by the medical establishment. Illustrations. Author tour. (October 30)