There is a big difference in terms of nutritional quality between fresh, whole, additive-free foods and foods full of chemicals, fillers, additives, and so on.

Fresh, whole, additive-free foods (good fuel for the body) vs

Canned, overly processed, low nutrient content, refined foods packed with many chemicals/additives (mediocre fuel for the body).

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tartrazine_and_ADHD/

What is Neurotoxicity?

Neurotoxicity occurs when the exposure to natural or manmade toxic substances (neurotoxicants) alters the normal activity of the nervous system. This can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons, key cells that transmit and process signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Neurotoxicity can result from exposure to substances used in chemotherapy, radiation treatment, drug therapies, and organ transplants, as well as exposure to heavy metals such as lead and mercury, certain foods and food additives, pesticides, industrial and/or cleaning solvents, cosmetics, and some naturally occurring substances. Symptoms may appear immediately after exposure or be delayed. They may include limb weakness or numbness; loss of memory, vision, and/or intellect; headache; cognitive and behavioral problems; and sexual dysfunction. Individuals with certain disorders may be especially vulnerable to neurotoxicants.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurotoxicity/neurotoxici...

The major cause of seizures/epilepsy is not preservatives.

Are a few persons extremely chemically sensitive to a small number of food additives? Yes. Can they feel a little better by eating fresh, whole foods which do not contain those chemicals? Yes.

Is extreme chemical sensitivity to a few additives seen as being rare vs common? Yes.

Again, is the major cause of seizures/epilepsy preservatives, etc.?

No.

Can a few food additives be a factor for a few persons? Yes.

Examples of a few food additives which a few persons can detect include: MSG (monosodium glutamate), aspartame (artificial sweetener), FD&C Yellow Food Color No. 5 (tartrazine), sodium saccharin (artificial sweetener), sodium benzoate (preservative), FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Red No. 3, (etc.).

Some of those food additives (often misdescribed as inert ingredients) tend to act like powerful drugs in a few persons (not everyone) and can linger in their system for several days or so.

For a few persons, it can be a big factor. For most persons apparently, it is not much of a factor at all one way or the other.

That's my understanding. Good luck.

what about preservatives causing absent seizures? I had 2 grand mal seizures,(that came out of no where) and they have since been controlled. Now I get these absent ones and I cant shake them,even with medication. and by the way, this all started at a later stage of my life,(i was 31 yrs old) not at a younger age when it generally begins. any info would be AWESOME. anything.