By now, most of you have heard that the FDA has finally banned the synthetic dye Red 3 due to the fact that it can cause cancer. It’s a mystery why this ban wasn’t done sooner, as research proved it was a carcinogen years ago and can also affect brain function. The ban comes into effect in 2027, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until then to eliminate it from your diet.

Here’s another mystery, on a similar topic. Why is the popular ring-shaped cereal spelled “Froot Loops” and not “Fruit Loops”? This one has an answer — because there is no fruit in Froot Loops! The original name actually was “Fruit Loops” until there was a lawsuit stating it was misleading because there was no fruit in it, therefore it changed to its current spelling. Not only is there no fruit in it, a quick comparison of the list of ingredients shows that the cereal actually has different ingredients between the U.S. and other countries. Why are there chemical dyes in American Froot Loops yet ingredients like carrot juice and blueberry juice in Canadian Froot Loops instead?

Turns out many of the dangerous and brain-altering synthetic dyes are illegal to include in food in other countries. There are thousands of other chemicals that are illegal in other countries that are allowed here. It all makes you wonder why.

Until the ban comes into effect, I urge you to educate yourself on the effects of Red 3 beyond just the cancer-causing effects — as a preview, it can cause inflammation and severe behavioral issues in children. While you’re at it, I’d recommend that you read up on the other eight synthetic dyes that America allows while other countries ban them.

While the food and drug companies that currently use Red 3 should immediately stop using it, they likely won’t. Though with some products they’ll need time to change ingredients and formulas, many will likely wait until the last minute for most either way. As you’ll probably see after educating yourself on dyes, the best options is just to avoid synthetic dyes — especially when it comes to your kids — including both the ones they’ve banned and the ones they haven’t. Even though, for example, Red 40 hasn’t been banned because it hasn’t been shown to cause cancer, it has been shown to affect brain function, like increasing ADHD and other nervous system disorders.

I recently watched a documentary called “To Dye For,” which is where a lot of this information is explained. The documentary showcased many personal stories from families who have been adversely affected by these dangerous chemicals. The most striking were the stories of children with neurological disorders that went away once they avoided all dyes. Children with behavioral issues, learning issues, and unexplained emotional issues quickly returned to normal after avoiding all of these dyes. It may be tough to avoid all dyes — they’re even used in some unexpected things like toothpaste and medications — but your child is worth it!

Synthetic dyes are just one of the many things that affect the neurological and brain function of your body. Other things like genetic disorders, lifestyle habits, environmental health, and nerve interferences also can. Things like stress and injuries can disrupt the nervous system, and these causes can be treated with chiropractic care. Things such as drugs and food dyes that can impact the neurological systems can be replaced or eliminated from the diet. Some drugs with negative side effects can be replaced with natural alternatives. When it comes to food dyes, some things should just be eliminated completely to help you live your healthiest life. Please note that these dyes are also present in some drugs, including acetaminophen, fluoxetine, gabapentin, and omeprazole.

As scary as dyes are, they are not the only thing that can have these harmful effects on your brain and nervous system. Concussions are a very overlooked source of neurological damage. Despite increased awareness these days, they are still vastly undertreated. Regular chiropractic care along with CNS (central nervous system) anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and curcumin are a must. Interestingly, athletes with a history of even just one concussion see 3.8 times increase in non-contact joint blowouts — for example, if your athlete is just running and their knee gives out for no reason.

Another source of overlooked CNS damage is whiplash injuries. The average practitioner considers these as hyper-extension injuries of the cervical spine. This is an overly simplistic and incomplete view of things. Whiplash is actually a hyper-extension of the upper cervical spine and a hyper-flexion of the lower cervical spine. The damage this can do to your brain is almost always overlooked. Chiropractic continues to be one of the best ways to obtain long-term correction even years after the original injury.

Another common source of CNS damage these days is post-Covid syndrome. CNS inflammation must be addressed, or you will continue to suffer from fatigue, brain fog, forgetfulness, and reduced brain function. The latest research shows that chiropractic works at the brain level, and the local impact on the spine is nothing compared to the changes that occur in the brain of the chiropractic patient.

A healthy brain is the key to a healthy body. Your chiropractor should be your number one advocate in your pursuit of a healthier family. So eliminate the dyes, swap medications with dyes for natural alternatives, and see your chiropractor to improve your neurological functioning.

Dr. Burtis, D.C., M.S., CFMP, DACBN, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 35 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.