Allergies

The terms food allergy and food intolerance are often used interchangeably. To be correct however food allergy involves an immune response whilst food intolerance does not.

The incidence of food allergy and intolerance is on the increase, largely due to our dietary habits.

A true food allergy usually results in quite immediate symptoms and the food needs to be removed from the diet indefinitely.

However many allergy reactions are delayed and the offending foods can therefore be harder to detect. Symptoms that may be attributed to delayed reactions are many and varied, examples being fatigue, sinusitis, skin conditions, arthritis, fluid retention and abdominal disturbances. The body appears to become hypersensitive to foods that we consume on a regular basis. This type of reaction is becoming increasingly common.

We are narrowing down the variety of food eaten and consume fewer types of food on a regular basis. Wheat and dairy are examples of regular over-consumption. Take this scenario; a person eats cereal and toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner, with a cake or biscuit as a snack. Every main meal and snack in this diet contains wheat. Does this sound familiar? If so try the many alternative choices to wheat.

Food intolerance does not involve an immune response. A common example is lactose intolerance where a person does not produce the enzyme lactase to digest the milk sugar lactose.

The incidence of food intolerance is also growing and can also be attributed to consuming foods too frequently. Food intolerance can occur to natural substances in foods and also to additives such as MSG, colourings and preservatives, pesticides and sulphur used to dry fruit. Again symptoms are varied and includes hyperactivity in children.

To avoid these types of problems it is important that we eat a large variety of foods, and rotate the types of food in our diet. Try eating breads made from different grains, using soy, goats, sheeps and rice milk products instead of dairy. Avoid additives where possible. Organic food is a great choice as it contains no chemical residues and the fruit and vegetables are seasonal, which lends itself to variety.

What causes food allergies?

Food allergies are usually associated with a condition known as ‘Leaky Gut’, a term used to describe a condition where the digestive tract becomes very permeable. ‘Leaky gut’ allows larger particles of food than usual to pass from the digestive system into the general circulation. The immune system responds to these large food particles resulting in inflammation and the wide variety of symptoms associated with food allergy.

‘Leaky gut’ also puts additional stress on the liver which then struggles to detoxify properly leading to a build up of toxins and further allergy reactions.

What causes ‘Leaky Gut’

‘Leaky gut’ can occur due to

• Use of pharmaceutical drugs such as antibiotics
• Stress which inhibits digestive function
• Overgrowth of bad intestinal bacteria and fungi such as Candida
• A lack of key nutrients namely protein, zinc and vitamin A

Naturopathic Healing of Food Allergies

Identifying and removing foods implicated in the allergy response is vital. In cases where there are multiple food allergies this may mean going on a special elimination diet that should be done under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

As wheat, dairy and yeast are the most common foods that people respond to, remove these from the diet completely for at least four weeks to see if symptoms disappear.

Alternative foods can be purchased. Healthfoodexpress has a large variety of wheat-free and yeast-free foods and dairy alternatives such as soy and rice milk.

In addition to eliminating these foods, take the following steps:

• Eat when relaxed. Try not to read the paper or eat at the computer.
• Concentrate on the food on your plate as the smell and sight of food stimulates digestion.
• Chew each mouthful of food properly (aim for 30 times). This lessens the load lower down in the digestive system
• Avoid eating animal protein with grain carbohydrates
• Follow the instructions for a basic eating plan
• If you suffer from symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea etc. follow the guidelines for these symptoms
• Do the liver detoxification program.

Supplement with:

• Swedish bitters 1 teaspoon in ¼ glass room temperature water, 20 minutes before each meal. The taste stimulates digestive enzymes and juices
• Take acidophilus and bifidus. The good bacteria aids digestion and fights bad bacteria. Take two capsules a day
• Slippery Elm powder. Two teaspoons twice a day. This reduces gut inflammation and helps heal the wall. Take with water, soy milk or yoghurt. Have 20 minutes before meals.
• Take a multivitamin once a day to ensure adequate Zinc and vitamin A
• This is intended as a guide only. If symptoms persist see a qualified health professional.

Disclaimer

These recommendations are intended as guidelines only. They are not intended for diagnosis or treatment nor replace the advice of a physician or qualified health professional. Healthfoodexpress does not take any responsibility for any adverse reactions resulting from following these guidelines. If symptoms persist seek medical advice.