Food Allergies

Cow’s milk, fish/shellfish, nuts, soybeans, eggs and wheat comprise 90% of food allergies experienced in this country. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system attacks a harmless substance in the blood because it mistakenly identifies the substance as a threat to health. This is a learned response in the body. A person who is predisposed to food allergies first has to be exposed to the food. As this food is digested, the immune system triggers certain cells to produce specific antibodies. The next time the person ingests the food it interacts with the antibodies and triggers cells to release chemicals like histamines, resulting in symptoms from hives or a runny nose to diarrhea. The good news is you can reeducate your immune system, with the proper adjustments to your life style and environment, and greatly reduce the discomfort associated with food allergies.

Adults in midlife may experience allergies for the first time or have existing conditions exacerbated as a result of the cumulative effects of unbalanced eating, stress and environmental toxins. These imbalances provoke and mislead the immune system into excessive reaction. Understand that these responses are to allergens that generally cannot harm us and with a strong immune system normally would not be attacked. Sneezing at pollen, irritable bowel syndrome, breaking out in rashes, insomnia, anxiety and depression can all be allergy related warning signs of a break down in the immune system. These symptoms will most likely progress unless steps are taken to balance diet and reduce stress.

Children experiencing chronic ear infections, hyperactivity, asthma, colic in babies, eczema, as well as bed-wetting are exhibiting signs of food allergies. Dairy and wheat are the most common sources of these symptoms affecting children. Cow’s milk products contain casein (milk protein), which can irritate the immune system and may also stimulate mucus production. Sheep and goat milk have a different protein composition and don’t cause the sinus, allergy, and immune system problems associated with cow’s milk. Some people experience gassiness, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea after drinking or eating milk or milk products. This is NOT the same as allergy this is lack of the enzyme (genetic trait) lactase and does not involve the immune system. “All flours (especially wheat) promote infant mucus and allergies. Avoid them for the first two years. Children over two with reactions to wheat can sometimes tolerate kamut or spelt pastas and breads; these ancient grains and products made from them are well-accepted by most children, and are increasingly available in stores carrying whole foods” Paul Pitchford author of Healing with Whole Foods explains. Researchers now maintain that a child is likely to become sensitized to any food he/she has ingested previous to the age of four months exclusive of mothers’ milk.

There are two types of allergy classifications. Type I is an immediate reaction to ingesting a food like nuts or shellfish. These allergies are usually caused not by the chemicals related to growing the food but the proteins found in the food. Shrimp and other shellfish for example contain iodine, which is often erroneously considered to be the source of an allergy. In actuality it is the protein in the fish that is causing the reaction. Physical responses to this type of allergy include sudden diarrhea, swelling of the throat, hives and asthma. A condition known as anaphylaxis can occur resulting in a swift plummet in blood pressure and constricting of the airways in the lungs that can be fatal if not treated promptly. The protocol for these reactions includes shots of adrenaline or epinephrine (the synthetic version of adrenaline) and inhalers. Peanuts are the biggest contributor to this kind of allergic reaction.

Type III (this is not a typo…Type II is a tightly kept secret) is a delayed reaction to the exposure to the allergen. These are sometimes called “hidden allergies” because they can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to manifest. The symptoms are often misdiagnosed and when left untreated can lead to a host of chronic conditions. These symptoms include stomachache, headaches, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, eczema, fatigue, and confusion as well as a long list of mysterious persistent conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. Radical Healing author Rudy Ballentine M.D. corroborates, “ In my clinical work, a substantial portion of what is called “chronic fatigue” appears to be related to unrecognized food reactions of this delayed type”.

Imbalanced or inadequate diets along with stress and genetic predisposition are the main reasons 25% of the population suffer with significant allergies. While it is true you cannot change an inherited predisposition to allergy, it is easy to take a dietary and lifestyle approach to help the immune system combat stress and balance eating.

The first line of defense is to avoid the allergen. If you’re not sure what’s causing the reactions start with the foods you crave or eat most often because they are usually the ones causing the reaction. Wheat is a common allergy in the USA while in Japan rice allergy is more frequent and in Scandinavia codfish is the allergy most experienced. Eliminate the suspected foods for a few weeks then reintroduce them one at a time. Wait four days between introducing each new food. A journal may be helpful to keep a record of what is eaten and any changes in reaction.

Eat high quality organic foods as often as possible. Incorporate as many hypoallergenic foods as possible. These include foods like whole brown rice, spelt, kamut, and oats as well as sprouted grains. Cut down on protein, esp. animal proteins, avoid milk and milk products, and eat more fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. The protein in cow’s milk is a frequently overlooked cause of an over responsive immune system. Wheat is also high on the allergy list and should be reduced or eliminated if you are experiencing difficulties. Wheat sensitivity may be a more serious condition called celiac disease, which is an allergy to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, and other grains. If you like wheat breads and can’t live without them some allergy sufferers can safely handle eating sprouted wheat products. Ezekiel or Manna breads are good brands to try and can be found in the frozen section of your health food store.

Stress intensifies allergies. Eliminating sugar and caffeine from the diet greatly improves the efficiency of the immune system. Evaluate your daily routine and reduce stressors wherever possible. A good way to relieve stress is through the regular practice of yoga, meditation, or any relaxation techniques. Allergy straddles the mind body border, explains Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard trained physician who is a leading authority on alternative medicine. “Emotional stress can precipitate allergic reactions and relaxation techniques can moderate them. A person who is strongly allergic to roses, for example, may react to the sight of a plastic rose, demonstrating the involvement of the mind and the brain.” Dr. Weil advocates hypnotherapy to lessen or even prevent allergic reactions.

There are many herbs helpful to strengthening the immune system as well as assisting with allergy symptoms. Quercetin a bioflavonoid from buckwheat and citrus extract is good for prevention. It takes six to eight weeks to work so be patient. This herb appears to stabilize cells of the immune system that release histamine the intermediary of allergic reactions. A natural antihistamine that relieves allergy symptoms in most people with no toxicity is Stinging Nettles. The freeze-dried version is the best. Nettles are good for anything that itches including dry skin. Astragalus chines is a plant that can boost immunity, treat chronic or recurrent infections, and help overcome the physical effects of stress. Any chlorophyll-rich foods such as micro-algae and cereal grasses are helpful for clearing allergies because of their immune enhancing, anti inflammatory, properties as well as their abundant supply of omega-3 and/or GLA fatty acids.

If you suffer from uncontrolled allergies, experiment with balancing your diet and reducing stress. Begin eliminating allergens and try hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques to reduce stress. During the process supplement with the Quercetin and eventually work down to using Stinging Nettles when necessary. Allergies were once thought to be something that just happened. Now we know, as Dr. Andrew Weil says, “all allergies have the potential to disappear if you make changes in your lifestyle and mental state”.

This article by Rose Payne, CHHC was published in Cuizine Magazine June 2002.

Rose Payne is the founder and Director of High Level Wellness a holistic health and nutrition center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor and National Educator with a private practice that offers assistance countrywide. She is also the Director of the Immersion Graduate Program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Her passion is helping clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition. You can contact Rose at info@high-level-wellness-online.com

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