Already in the 1970s Hafer had observed how the high intake of dietary phosphate causes serious mineral deficiencies and imbalances in the human body, triggering a host of health problems, including ADD/ADHD.

Phosphate is a very common and highly versatile food additive, which is used in ever increasing quantities by the food industry. Phosphate is considered safe to add to foods because it is an essential mineral, important for the development of healthy bones, teeth and skin.

ADD/ADHD is a problem that predominantly affects people living in a Western society. Hafer seeks to show that Western diets are too high in phosphate and that the human body is absorbing more than it needs. As the intake of phosphate increases, the prevalence of ADD/ADHD increases. Today the number of newly diagnosed cases has reached pandemic proportions.

A phosphate-reduced diet led to dramatic improvements in Hafer's son's case. His difficult behaviour ceased to be a problem, his well-being and school performance improved, making medication unnecessary. Hafer recorded her findings and published them in a book titled Die heimliche Droge: Nahrungsphosphat. In this book, Hafer gives a detailed account of her son's behaviour, the research she undertook to help him and the science-based evidence she found. We have made the English translation of Hafer's book, The Hidden Drug: Dietary Phosphate available for purchase.

Current research into the effects of high phosphate intake is verifying Hafer's observations. For example, recent studies are suggesting that the onset of osteoporosis in teenagers is caused by the high consumption of coke and other beveridges high in phosphate.

In Germany and in Switzerland thousands of families have been following Hafer's recommendations and have been rewarded with happy, healthy and sometimes highly talented children. Hafer's research and recommendations are of interest for everybody affected by ADD/ADHD and other health problems, including adults.

We have gathered here a wealth of information, articles and supportive evidence to illuminate Hafer's findings.

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