If allergist can’t help, a shrink might

Dear Dr. Gott: Recently, I was told that my daughter’s boyfriend has a chemical imbalance caused by food allergies. His mother says that if he doesn’t avoid preservatives, he becomes moody, short-tempered and difficult to put up with.

On the other hand, my mother believes that he is mentally ill.

Could a food imbalance cause symptoms of emotional instability?

Dear Reader: I don’t want to get in the middle of an intergenerational shouting match about whether the young man’s behavior is or is not governed by food allergies. Nonetheless, based on the limited information you provided, I side with your mother.

As you know, however, food allergies, such as celiac disease, an intolerance to wheat protein, can cause people to have profound intestinal problems. Also, sensitivity to monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer that is commonly added to TV dinners and Asian food, can cause susceptible people to experience headaches, weakness, sweating, palpitations and other symptoms. Lactose (milk-sugar) intolerance often causes severe diarrhea.

I suppose that you could call these reactions a “chemical imbalance,” but this is clearly different from the metabolic imbalances associated with depression and related conditions. In all fairness, I doubt that a preservative reaction would explain the man’s symptoms.

I advise your daughter to proceed with extreme caution. Food sensitivity or not, her boyfriend is responsible for his own behavior and, perhaps, needs to be tested by an allergist. If, despite his dietary restrictions, his behavior remains inappropriate and he continues to appear unstable, she would do better playing the field and leaving him to another partner who doesn’t mind putting up with his shenanigans.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Allergies.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: Will six or eight glasses of juice or Kool-Aid per day have the same effect as six to eight glasses of water?

Dear Reader: No, juice and Kool-Aid will supply more calories because they contain sugar.

If you’re simply thirsty, drink water. If you’re overweight, avoid the extra calories in Kool-Aid. If you exercise strenuously and sweat profusely, consider using a sports drink that contains extra minerals as well as sugar (for energy).

The bottom line is: Juice is good — it’s natural and nutritious. Sports drinks are appropriate under certain circumstances. Kool-Aid is basically flavored sugar water with few health benefits. Use plain old water for routine fluid replacement.