Food Allergies

Symptoms

Food allergies and sensitivities are on the rise, and yet the diagnosis is difficult, since symptoms vary from person to person. Corn may cause muscle aches in one person and stomach cramps in someone else. Immediate or delayed adverse allergic reactions when eating specific foods include dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, chronic infections, chronic inflammation, bloating, insomnia, swelling, cramping and the deadly reaction known as anaphylactic shock. Diarrhea is a very common result of food allergies, but stomach cramps, constipation and indigestion are other problems. Food allergies can also provoke hives, sore throats, hay fever, migraines and asthma attacks. Allergies can produce vague symptoms too, like emotional irritability, fatigue and anxiety. Studies show most hyperactive children have at least one food sensitivity. Sensitivities to food have been implicated in causing reactive hypoglycemia, playing a role in food addictions and cravings, and being linked to candidiasis, which can prepare the foundation for allergic responses.

Certain allergies have the tendency to appear quite suddenly without warning, and they can disappear just as quickly. Delayed-onset allergies appear gradually. This is often true if the problem substance has been eliminated from the diet for some time and the body has been given time to heal itself.

A widely accepted diagnostic tool for pinpointing allergies is the elimination diet; on the basis of a simple, bland diet, or after a fast, suspect foods are reintroduced one at a time. Although this technique is time consuming, it is an excellent method for identifying problem foods.

Food Allergies Causes

Food allergies is a term applied to a whole host of reactions caused by consuming various substances. In actual fact, allergies are only one of three possible causes of irritation. Allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to a particular substance. What is often thought to be an allergy may actually be a food intolerance because symptoms are the same or similar. While allergies are caused by an immune system response, food intolerances occur when the digestive tract lacks enzymes for proper digestion, as in lactose intolerance when the body lacks the enzyme lactase. Food sensitivities are a personal oversensitivity to a certain type of food, unrelated to an immune system response.

Any food or substance can be an allergen. Common sources of food allergies are eggs, corn, wheat, fish and shellfish, citrus fruit, nuts and berries. Allergy-causing food additives are particularly difficult to avoid, and can make dining out impossible. Corn, for instance, is found in starches and syrups added to hundreds of groceries, and sulfites are used in everything from wine and beer to baked and frozen goods. A relationship also exists between the foods repeatedly eaten and those that cause allergic responses. In Japan, for instance, fish allergies are more common; in North America, wheat is more of a problem.

The underlying cause or initial trigger that provokes the immune system response is more obscure. However, chemicals added to food to preserve or change the color or taste, or used as pesticides, are still increasing, weakening our bodies and our immune systems. Food additives and pesticides (especially in the many canned, processed and frozen food), and overuse of antibiotics contribute to a build-up of toxins in the body. In addition, many North American diets are nutrient deficient because of the refining of food.

Allergies have been linked to improper digestion and leaky gut syndrome. Patients with food intolerance often have an abnormal intestinal flora. It is thought that the intestines allow incompletely digested particles to enter the bloodstream. These are then recognized as foreign substances and attacked by the immune system. Causes of improper digestion are often related to poor enzyme or stomach acid production.

Introducing solid food to babies too early in life has also been linked to allergies, as the enzymes are not yet available for proper digestion. Homogenized and pasteurized cow's milk fed to babies often has a similar effect, as the proteins are foreign and difficult to digest, and the fat particles enter the bloodstream without having been fully digested. Human milk is much easier to digest than cow's milk and contains substances such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which support babies' immune systems. Especially in children, emotional triggers should be ruled out as an underlying problem. Stress can impair the immune system from functioning optimally, allowing allergies to appear.

Food Allergies Nutrition

Follow the dietary recommendations listed in allergies.

Food Allergies Nutritional Supplements

Supplements should focus on improving digestion and adding nutrients that are lacking from poor absorption. The lack of nutrients, especially vitamins C, E and A, results in an instability of the cell walls, which allows allergens to enter more easily. Nutrients and vitamins are also important for the immune system, particularly the minerals zinc and selenium. With vitamin E, be sure to choose the natural form with mixed tocopherols.

Bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, work with vitamin C and also stabilize cell walls. For digestive support, vitamin B complex and magnesium should be added. Digestive enzymes are also recommended to improve digestion and assimilation. Friendly bacteria such as acidophilus should be supplemented to help fight bacterial infections which may be causing the allergy.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three times daily

Quercetin, 500 mg three times daily

Vitamin B complex, 100 mg

Acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.

Helpful

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU daily (avoid during pregnancy)

Bromelain, 1,000 mg three times daily

Zinc, 35 mg, with 3 mg copper

Selenium, 200 mg

Food Allergies Herbal Remedies

Before starting any therapy, it is strongly advised to detoxify the body by fasting for at least three days. If the liver is plugged up with fatty tissue and an excess of toxins which it cannot neutralize, inadequate secretion and allergies often result. It is also important to support the adrenals, the immune system and the digestive function.

People who have allergies often suffer from calcium deficiency. Take 1 tbsp. of stinging nettle juice and 15–20 drops of horsetail tincture twice daily to supplement the body's need for calcium.

Calendula helps control candida overgrowth in the bowels, which inhibits proper digestion. Take as a tea or 5 drops of tincture with water. Combine with echinacea, lemon balm or agrimony.

Agrimony heals damaged mucous membranes and soothes bowel irritation. Take as a tea or 4 drops of tincture three times daily. Combine with camomile for better effect.

To heal mucous membranes and soothe gastric sensitivity, take 2–4 drops of goldenseal tincture, with liquid or one 200 mg capsule three times daily for a couple of days at a time only. Combine with agrimony (avoid during pregnancy or if high blood pressure is indicated).

Black walnut husks clear out parasites that cause a food allergy. Take 2 capsules twice daily.

Birch juice or tea cleanses the blood and helps eliminate uric acid. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1–2 tsp. of dry birch leaves. Drink 3 cups daily for two to three weeks.

The following mixture stimulates the liver and digestive tract and is very beneficial for most allergic conditions. Combine 2 tbsp. each of lemon balm leaves, agrimony, peppermint and celandine. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of the herb mix. Drink 1 cup in the morning and 1 cup in the evening.

Food Allergies Homeopathy

For recurring or persistent problems, an experienced homeopath can provide a more thorough treatment to produce long-term results.

Food Allergies Tissue Salts

For stomach distress after eating a food to which you may be allergic, tissue salts can help. Refer to the tissue salt remedies described under indigestion or belching.

Food Allergies External/Physical Therapies

Strengthen the immune system by getting plenty of sleep, fresh air and moderate sun.

Avoid prolonged stressful situations. Worry, guilt and incomplete digestion also weaken the immune system.

Lymph drainage, rising-temperature baths, herbal and clay wraps, and water therapy will enhance herbal and all other therapies applied.

Relaxation techniques and deep-breathing exercises should be incorporated in the regular daily routine.

Always eat slowly, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Reflexology

Work on the thymus gland, pancreas, liver, kidneys and lymphatic glands to stimulate digestion and strengthen the immune system.

Food Allergies Other Suggestions

It would be advisable to determine hidden food or chemical hypersensitivities by the immunological test ELISA/ACT. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)

Take a hair mineral analysis test to determine mineral deficiencies and heavy-metal poisoning. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)

Food Allergies Available Brand Name Products

Nutrition

Inca Rice Golden Quinoa (Artesian Acres)

Kamut (Artesian Acres)

Spelt (Artesian Acres)

Nutritional Supplements

Super Bromelain (Albi)

Cool B3 (Klaire Laboratories)

Micel-A (Klaire Laboratories)

P-5-P w/ Magnesium (Klaire Laboratories)

Seleno Met (Klaire Laboratories)

Vital-Plex Acidophilus (Klaire Laboratories)

Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)

Bromelain Extra Strength (Natural Factors)

E 400 IU Clear Base (Natural Factors)

Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)

Megazyme (Natural Factors)

Protec (Natural Factors)

Digestion Formula/Forte (NaturPharm, Inc)

Enzymes Plus (Sisu)

FOS-A-Dophilus (Sisu)

Herbal Remedies

Schoenenberger Nettle Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Chlorella (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Fresh Herb Extract (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Fresh Herb Tincture & Goldenseal (Natural Factors)

Echinacea Triple Strength Tincture (Natural Factors)

Ginger Root (Natural Factors)

Kudzu Extract (Natural Factors)

Licorice Root (Natural Factors)

Chlorella, Better (Nature's Herbs)

Echinacea Angustifolia Extract (Nature's Herbs)

Ginger Root (Nature's Herbs)

Golden Seal Root (Nature's Herbs)

Kudzu-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Licorice Root (Nature's Herbs)

Slippery Elm Bark (Nature's Herbs)

External Therapies

Lavender Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)