Do Your Children Have Food Allergies?

Has your child been diagnosed with food allergies? There are a few ways to determine if your child does have allergies. You can go to the doctor and have an allergy test performed, but those are not 100% reliable when it comes to food allergies.
Plus some doctors regard tests as absolute, they cover everything that could be an allergen and if there is no reaction, your child is not allergic. But "Type III" allergies cannot be found with any type of laboratory testing, only by diet modification.
Diet modification is the best way to treat Food Allergies Children. Some common allergens can be avoided by simply not buying a certain brand or type of food. Other allergies, such as an allergy to wheat or potatoes, will require a total overhaul of the diet of your child.
You might even have to give up some of your family's favorite meals because of the allergy. However, there are many websites out there that have recipes that take food allergies into account.
Many children are against changing their diet, they find comfort in having certain foods. Many adults are the same way. There are ways to get around the stubbornness and temper tantrums that would happen if you were to do a drastic diet modification overnight.
If your child is old enough to understand, you can try explaining the basics of food allergies to your child. This works well with children who realize that they should not feel so tired or ill all the time, usually by age 8 or 9.
Another way to avoid tantrums is to do a gradual change and do not single out the diet of your children. The gradual approach only works if the Food Allergies Children are not life threatening though. A good example of a gradual change is with a dairy allergy. Many children eat cheese on their sandwiches or have a yogurt tube for a snack. Skipping the cheese and giving your child a piece of fruit for a snack are small changes that will reduce the amount of dairy in your child's diet.
You do not want to change just the diet of your child because that can make your child resent the rest of the family who can eat junk food. Using our dairy allergy example again, you can substitute rice or almond milk in recipes and make 2 small batches of certain foods, one with cheese the other without cheese.

Improving diet is one way to treat food allergies children. Knowing the common symptoms of food allergies is important, especially if you are a parent.

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What To Do For Dog Food Allergies

Does your dog sit and scratch all day long? Is his fur falling out or does he have bald spots, red scaly patches or a just plain unhealthy appearance? Have you scoured your pet for signs of fleas, ticks or anything to explain his constant itching? If your pet suffers from irritated, itchy skin and rashes he may have allergies. What you may not know is that he could be allergic to the very food that you feed him!
Allergies to dog food are extremely common. In fact, food allergy is one of the top reasons why dogs have chronic, itchy rashes. In addition, pets can experience trouble breathing, sneezing and itchy eyes, all from their food! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a pet allergy to food. There are many different ingredients and additives in commercial pet foods. Interestingly, some of these foods are very common allergy triggers.
Common foods that cause allergies in dogs include: chicken, beef, corn, eggs and wheat. These are often the first few ingredients in most commercial dog foods. If you read on you may find that the food also contains artificial flavors, dyes and other additives that your dog doesn't need.
For pets with food allergies, a hypoallergenic dog food that lacks common allergens is typically a good solution. Many dogs do very well with a simple lamb and rice formula. For other dogs, they may require something different. There are many different quality pet foods that are made with alternative proteins, such as fish, lamb or duck. These foods also contain potato or rice as a carbohydrate source. These products provide a balanced diet by adding vitamins and minerals with natural vegetable and fruit sources instead of manufactured additives.
Finding a food that lacks common allergens is an important way to identify and treat food allergies. Once your pet has had the offending agent removed from his diet he will begin to feel better and look healthier. It is important to stick to this diet and to avoid giving your pet treats that may contain allergy producing products.
The best course of action for a pet with signs of an allergy is to consult your dog's veterinarian. This ensures that you are not treating your pet for the wrong condition. The good news is that there is a huge variety of products that offer hypoallergenic foods for dogs. Having a dog with allergies is now more affordable than ever before.

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How to Diagnose Dog Food Allergies Through Homemade Meals

A study has been conducted that identifies that ten percent of all dog allergies are caused by dog food. Allergies to dog food are also accountable in almost 20 percent of the average cases of itching and scratching. There are certain ingredients which cause an antibody reaction inside your dog's digestive system. This is what usually occurs when dogs eat processed foods, However, there is no such explanation about how it happens. Even though we don't have enough knowledge of these reactions on our dogs, a lot of things were considered which affect our dogs. These food allergies can be seen from all ages and of both sexes, ranging from five months up to twelve years. But, most likely occur from 2-years through 6 years.
Like most allergies we observe in dogs, food allergies are found to have the same symptoms. Itchy skin on different parts of the body like ears, face, armpits, legs, feet and even the anus. Repetition of some symptoms, specifically infected ears and skin, hot spots, and hair fallout, can be prevented if treated with antibiotics. Once antibiotics are cut out, recurrence will take place. Another valid indication of food allergies is frequent bowel movements within the day. If you want a proper way to treat food allergies, serious owners can start with a food trial. Flush your dog's system by putting him on a twelve week home-made protein and carbohydrate meal plan using foods he has not eaten before, such as rabbit, venison, and potatoes.
Be reminded that these are the only foods which you will feed to your pet during this trial period. You may feel it is hard, but avoid doggie treats or flavored medications. Just stick with that given diet and water to drink. Additionally, don't let your dog roam around where he could eat outside scraps and trash. Be sure your 12-week diet is successful. If it succeeds on the reduction and elimination of the symptoms, the next step is to add back foods, one at a time, from his first diet. Once you recognize similar symptoms coming back as you add back familiar foods, you have isolated the "allergy-causing" food.
Home-made diets are perfectly made for allergy prevention since you will certainly avoid those foods bringing back any allergies. From time to time, you can opt to serve new ingredients to your dog to let you determine the accurate ingredients which cause food allergies. Return meat such as chicken or beef to the home-made diet for almost two weeks. If you don't see allergy indicators, then you can add another new ingredient for another two weeks. If any symptoms recur, you can consider that the latest ingredient being added is another cause for allergic reaction. Remember, assurance of balanced meals with the necessary vitamins and minerals can be obtained through homemade meals.

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Dog Food Allergy and Hypoallergenic Food

When a pet becomes ill, there are many possible reasons to it though sometimes the food you feed is what causing sudden health concern. What you feed to your pet is not always good for his health although it may look like a healthy meal. Even what we thought is best to our pet is sometimes what causing them to feel ill. If your dog is experiencing itchiness, loss of hair, increase bowel movement, skin irritation and redness of the skin primarily in his feet he might have food allergy.
Like humans, dogs are also allergic at certain foods. Mostly corn, soy, dairy products, eggs, wheat, yeast, beef and chicken are the known triggers of allergy in dogs. This health problem may not seem dangerous but it does not mean you should take it for granted and skipped immediate concern. If not treated or pinpoint foods that trigger his allergy, it will prolong your dog suffering from the disease and the problem will continue to occur.
Treating food allergy in dogs is not that hard but rather a little costly on your part. To determine if your dog has allergy, the vet will do a skin scraping. If your pet found positive, your vet may require you to feed hypoallergenic dog food for your pet. Why hypoallergenic? This is because most dog hypoallergenic food does not contain foods or ingredients that can trigger allergic reaction to dogs. But first you must know what food triggers the  allergy. You can do this by monitoring the food he eats and observe for possible symptoms of food allergy in dogs.
Not all hypoallergenic dog food works for all dogs; treating food allergy is a trial and error process. It is wise to buy hypoallergenic food for dogs in a trial pack so you can always switch to other brand if the condition becomes worse. Always check the label before buying to see if there are ingredients that your dog is allergic to. If you find hypo dog food that your pet is comfortable with and does not worsen the allergic problem, stick with it for 3 weeks since it will take some time to clear your dog from allergy and really see the result.  
There are lots of brand that you can try for your dog though it will be hard task finding the right formula for your dog. To make it easier on your part, read some reviews on the internet and see what other dog owner say about the product.

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Treating Food Allergies With Popular Home Remedies

A food allergy is your immune system's response to a foreign substance. This may differ from one food to another. The most common food allergies come from shellfish, prawn, peanuts, wheat, sugar, gluten and eggs. Some of the symptoms consist of rashes, nausea, sneezing, coughing and irritation.
It is said that the only way to avoid this is to avoid the foods which triggers it. Despite your best effort sometimes you cannot totally avoid eating or coming into contact with foods you are allergic to.
Prescribed medications and over-the counter drugs may help reduce symptoms but sometimes these cannot treat harsh allergic reactions. Other times you will be treated with one symptom and another comes out. So, to be safe you may want to try home remedies to treat your allergies.
Home remedies:
• Water. Drink a glass of lukewarm water with half a lime. You can add a teaspoon of honey for taste. Every morning drink this mixture to help flush toxins out of your body.
• Vitamin E. Taking vitamin E regularly prevents almost all types of allergies. It helps soothes the symptoms of food allergy. It is very effective since it has anti-allergen properties. And with its correct supplementation allergic reaction will be avoided.
• Castor oil. Adding a few drops of castor oil to a cup of water is beneficial in treating food allergies. You should drink this mixture every morning on an empty stomach.
• Banana. It is known to be one of the most helpful of home remedies for allergies. It assists in preventing and treating allergy symptoms like skin rashes and stomach upsets. It would be better to consume bananas on a daily basis.
• Ginger. Take a few pieces of ginger and grate them. Add a teaspoon of honey to it and consume it. Or you may add the grated ginger to a cup of tea in order to keep your allergies at bay. It also helps drinking mixture of two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey with a glass of water before hitting the sack.
• Vegetable juices. Drink carrot juice mix with cucumber juice, beet juice or spinach juice every morning to avoid your allergies from acting up. Consume 500 ml of this mixture once a day. This helps in raising your immunity level thereby preventing and treating you allergy to foods.
• Yoga. In treating certain allergy symptoms yoga has been proven to be very effective. Some yoga stances such as shoulder stand pose and half spinal twist pose are beneficial.
Avoid:
• Alcohol. You should try avoiding consuming alcohol and other carbonated drinks as well as preserved and sugary products.
• Peanuts. This is the most common food which causes dangerous allergic reaction to many individuals. It can result to respiratory problems which can cause very serious consequences.
• Milk. Certain people are allergic to milk because of the whey and casein it contain.
Using home remedies can be an effective, safe and gentle way to treat allergies. If you would like further assistance with more drug free treatments then please consult with a naturopath doctor. In an emergency, please do not resort to home remedies and look for your nearest emergency room.

Learn more about allergy natural remedies here.

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ABC's of Food Allergies

The world of being allergic is no fun and being allergic to food is even more NOT fun as everyone has to eat. When you have to pay attention to food ingredients for fear of having an allergic reaction to something you ate makes something that used to be fun (eating) suddenly become a chore! Many people have food allergies. Common food allergies in children are to eggs, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat. Common allergies for adults are fish, peanuts, shellfish, and tree nuts.
Some individuals confuse food allergies with food intolerance. A food allergy is when your body's immune system treats food as if it were a foreign body. The response the immune system has triggers the symptoms such as hives, swollen mouth and throat, coughing, wheezing and eczema. Food intolerance usually causes abdominal upsets.
Why our bodies react the way the do to certain foods is not completely understood. A food allergy can begin at any age, but frequently begins during childhood. Some food allergies can be outgrown and others stay around for a lifetime.
When someone is allergic to something they ate, the symptoms usually start within a few moments to 2 hours from the time the food is eaten. The severity can depend on the amount of food ingested and your body's reaction to the allergen. Key symptoms can be anything from hives, to a hoarse voice, to wheezing. Severe reactions that can be life threatening may include low blood pressure that may cause dizziness or fainting, blocked airways and difficulty breathing, which may include wheezing. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, or tongue. The individual may have difficulty swallowing or breathing, the mouth may itch, or the throat may feel itchy. The person may feel light-headed and pass out. They may have nasal congestion, nausea, a runny nose, shortness of breath and stomach cramping. They may have only one of the above symptoms or many of them.
An allergist can evaluate the individual by asking medical questions, examining them, running blood tests, asking the patient to keep a food journal, having a elimination diet done, or asking the patient to participate in a food challenge test. There may be a skin prick test to determine which foods the individual may be allergic to. There may be just one food allergy or there may be multiple food allergies.
The only truly useful treatment for food allergies is to learn how to avoid the food allergen that your are allergic to. This requires that every time you buy a food product, you read the label carefully for the food item that you are allergic to. It also requires that you become familiar with hidden food items in products. You will need to question restaurant managers and restaurant chef's about how they prepare their food and what ingredients are in the food that they prepare for you to eat.
If your child has food allergies you must inform anyone who may give your child something to eat of what foods your child is allergic to. You must make sure that they know how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and that they know how to summon medical attention for your child quickly. Your child should have emergency medication available to him/her so that it can be administered in an emergency.

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Treating Food Allergies

Do you develop an unexplainable itchy rash after eating shellfish or certain varieties of fish? How about after eating eggs or after gulping down a warm glass of milk? Have you ever experienced that unusual tingling in your mouth after eating a particular food?
If you ever experienced these symptoms, you might be suffering from food allergy.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is the body's natural response upon eating certain foods, which his or her body labeled as potentially harmful. Some of the most common food allergens (that which bring about or initiate an allergic reaction) include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy.
Among the first signs of an allergic reaction are coughing and sneezing, a runny nose and red, itchy eyes. Some experience the sudden appearance of an itchy skin rash or hives and a tingling sensation in the mouth, lips and throat.
Other more serious signs of an allergic reaction include dizziness, abdominal pain and diarrhea, vomiting and wheezing. Some people may even experience sudden behavioral changes such as anger, depression and/or lethargy in response to the allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction can be manifested in different ways and in varying intensities in different people. Some allergies may show obvious symptoms while others may not. Some people may react immediately once exposed to the allergen while in other people, it may take several hours for the symptoms to be manifested.
A food allergy should not be taken lightly. Severe allergic reactions are known to result in swelling, shock and death.
How does a food allergy develop?
The human body is protected at all times by the immune system. It is the immune system's primary responsibility to be on a constant lookout for potentially harmful substances or organisms, which may jeopardize the health of an individual.
When a person accidentally ate something, which is harmful to the body, the immune system produces special proteins called IgE antibodies. This prompts the allergy cells (called mast cells) to release certain chemicals in the bloodstream to fortify the body's defenses. One of these chemicals is histamine. Upon its release, histamine acts on the person's eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin and/or gastrointestinal tract, triggering the manifestation of the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
In the case of food allergies, the most common culprit is the abnormal permeability of the gastrointestinal tract. When this happens, inappropriately large food molecules may be transported into the bloodstream. Since they are abnormally sized, these food molecules might be seen as "intruders" and are therefore attacked by the antibodies.
A food allergy can develop at any age. Some may have it from birth while others develop it as they grow older or as the body is predisposed to the allergens.
How can food allergies be cured?
Probably the best way to treat food allergies is to avoid the eating anything which may trigger an allergic reaction for a period of time (preferably for 2 to 6 months). After this period, the foods can then be gradually reintroduced into your diet. For best results, the foods should be reintroduced on a rotating basis, which means that you consume them only every 4 days or more. This will allow you to eat foods you are allergic to without suffering from the usual symptoms.
There are still some other ways to fight food allergies. Others have tried administering traditional allergy shots, homeopathic treatments, herbal decoctions, high doses of vitamin C and several other treatments with varying degrees of success.
Remember that food allergies tend to run in the family. So, if ever one member of your family has a history of this condition, do take the necessary precautions.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Allergies

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Food Allergy Treatments

There are several different food allergy treatments that your physician may implement if you have one or more food allergies. Your physician will use some methods to eliminate allergens, modify your immune system and help to strengthen your nutrition and diet. An allergist and the patient must be actively involved together in these types of treatments for them to effective. No one knows their own body better than yourself, so you need to be responsible for yourself and must make the necessary changes in your lifestyle. You must to be actively involved in your treatment protocol so that you can enjoy the benefits as your health improves.
Your allergist will usually provide you with a special diet to follow. If you are allergic to only one or two foods, eliminating those foods are the only treatment that may be necessary. For example, if it were a peanuts or a dairy allergy, then you would not consume those products. If you have multiple food allergies, you may be put on a "rotation" diet. You would need to eat the various foods on a rotated diet which reduces your exposure to them and helps preserve a tolerance to those foods.
Medications and supplements may also help you deal with your allergy symptoms. Your health care professional would advise you about what to take and when. It would be ingested before the exposure to the particular allergen and will help to lessen the allergic reaction. Allergy medications such as antihistamines can help suppress your symptoms.
Immunotherapy may be used to help treat food allergies by modifying your immune response to specific allergens. The patient would take a neutralizing solution under the tongue or apply their own injection after proper training. This solution stops or lessens an allergic reaction for the patient. Generally, the best approach to treating food allergies is a combination treatment plan devised by a knowledgeable allergist.

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Food Allergies and Digestive Enzymes - What You Should Know

An allergy is a response by the immune system of human body to certain foreign substances. These substances are called allergens. Allergens can be anything from food items to dust and drugs. Different people are allergic to different substances.
Food sensitivities or 'allergies' are common, affecting more than 70% of the population in the U.S. For many of those people, it is assumed that food allergies are something they simply have to tolerate throughout their life. However, this is simply wrong. You CAN take steps to keep those allergies under control.
For example, food allergies and intolerances can be quite severe for people whose bodies do not produce sufficient digestive enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that help in digesting our food. They are mainly comprised of proteins and have a specific, 3-dimensional structure. The human body produces 22 different kinds of enzymes in order to digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
If your body is not producing enough enzymes, you need to eat enzyme-rich foods. Raw fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of enzymes. Conversely, over-cooked food is bad for us. Why? The enzymes are destroyed by over-cooking. The digestion of cooked foods is difficult, mostly because it lacks valuable metabolic enzymes. For this reason, a LOT more energy is spent in digesting cooked food when compared to raw food. (Ever get very tired after eating?)
All of these factors lead us to why there is a big connection between digestive enzymes and food allergies. A shortage of digestive enzymes can lead to large amounts of undigested food molecules piling up inside the body, including in the gut wall. This undigested food can actually feed bacteria present in the gut, allowing the bacteria to multiply, eventually leading to allergies or other health problems.
Most food allergies occur due to proteins not breaking down completely. These partially broken proteins enter the bloodstream and act as allergens. Low levels of stomach acid can lead to incomplete protein digestion, hence the problem of food intolerance.
It should be clear to you by now that one of the ways to treat food allergies is to take digestive enzyme supplements. Be careful about which enzyme product you are using. It should provide the following to your body - lipase, amylase and protease, and should be made from natural ingredients. Of course another way to treat this problem is to eat lots of raw, uncooked food. Fruits, vegetables, sprouted seeds and grains can prove very beneficial.

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Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats

You may not know it or be aware of the fact that there are food allergies in dogs and cats. Just as some humans suffer from allergies; dogs and cats can suffer with them as well. As a loving owner, you will want to do whatever you can to alleviate some of the discomforts and irritation that they maybe suffering from. In order to help your pet, you need to know why allergies occur and how to treat them.
Both dogs and cats suffer from food allergies. Some may develop an allergy because of certain ingredients found in a certain food or food group. It has been clinically studied that glucocorticoids (steroids) found in dog food can actually cause your pets to become unhealthy. This is due to the increased secretion of gastric acids, as well as a reduction in mucus production.
Steroids also lead to a decrease in the ability of absorption of iron and calcium. As a result, thinning of skin and hair, skin atrophy, dull hair and the like are noted. Furthermore, secondary disorders such as bacterial and viral infections, lethargy, and pancreatitis may also be brought on with foods that contain glucocorticoids.
The causes of food allergies- The main causes of food allergies in dogs and cats are dairy products, which contain lactose. Dogs and cats can also be allergic to wheat and sugar.
When a cat or dog becomes allergic to a particular food, they can begin to have symptoms that can include skin issues like rashes, eczema, and dandruff, which could lead to a dull coat and even hair loss. They can also be prone to having other complications such as, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Getting an allergy diagnosed
The best way to determine whether or not your dog or cat has an allergy, is to have your veterinarian do a physical checkup and examination of your dog's or cat's skin issues.
Treatments for these problems often involve the use of topical creams and antihistamines, but these can bring on unwanted side effects. Fortunately, there are other options that are also effective. Many times the use of steroids is prsecribed. Steriods act as an anti-inflammatory but suppress the immune system at the same time. Long term use of steroids can lead to many other problematic health issues, such as thinning of the bones, thinning of the skin, brusing easily, just to name a few.
A cure for food allergies- there are a number of natural remedies that you may use to treat your dog or cat's skin and digestive irritations.
A way to go about it is through homeopathy. It works with the same principle as 'similia similibus curentur,; wherein high amounts of toxic substances taken-in may lead to fatal results, but with a homeopathic, minute dose, it can actually save pets from becoming poisoned. There are products available which uses homeopathic ingredients, which have been proven to be very effective.
Herbal remedies are used in homeopathic veterinary medicine. The herbs listed here can be used to treat food allergies.
Glycyrrhiza glabra, is known as the licorice plant and is great for soothing an upset digestive system.
Althaea officinalis, is known as the marshmallow plant and is good for the mucus membranes in the digestive tract.
Matricaria recutita, also called the German chamomile plant. It is used as a gentle cleansing agent, as well as herbal remedy, to sooth agitated areas of the skin.
Calendula officinalis, is known as the pot marigold or scotch marigold which helps to restore the health of the skin and reduces the appearance of rashes.
Take care of your precious pets at home and when health issues do arise, be sure to provide them with only the safest and natural treatments available.

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Treating Food Allergies and Intolerance - What You Should Know About It

True food allergies, in which the body's immune system reacts inappropriately to a harmless substance, are rare. However, you may be intolerant of, or sensitive to, a number of foods.
It is estimated that only 1 percent of adults, usually men, and 5 percent of children have food allergies. By contrast, food intolerance are common and can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, eczema and other skin conditions such as migraine, asthma and rhinitis.
There is no drug therapy to treat food allergies. The only hope of a cure is to try neutralization or EPD techniques. However, the most effective way of reducing symptoms associated with food intolerances is to avoid those foods that disagree with you.
The best way to find out which foods you cannot tolerate is an exclusion diet. Consult your doctor, then try the elimination diet suggested opposite. To find out which foods upset you may require three to four months of food testing and repeated unpleasant reactions when banned foods are reintroduced.
It sounds simple enough, but it is hard work giving up foods you may enjoy and which are part of your everyday life. There is no short cut. Although a number of tests have been promoted as quick ways of making a food intolerance diagnosis, studies have shown that none is reliable.
There is no scientific evidence that hair analysis or cytotoxic testing, in which blood sample is taken and the white blood cells are mixed with food extracts, are accurate ways of accessing whether you are intolerant to certain foods.
With a Vega machine, you hold one electrode and your toe or finger is touched with a second while different foods are introduces into the circuit. However, there is no proof that this can pinpoint your food intolerances and it could even do harm, since if you follow the advice obtained, you may become malnourished.

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Basics of Treating Food Allergies

It is a known fact that diagnosing allergies is a complex job but the treatment of allergies, especially those related to food, is a tougher task. It would be wrong to say that treating allergies can fit into the notions of a society where people pop in pills even for the smallest disease without taking a moment to consider its reactions, and find relief within a moment. Often, food allergens are treated by employing different techniques simultaneously such as modifying the immune response of the patient, eliminating allergens, and enhancing the nutritional value of the patient's diet. Food allergies cannot be treated by your doctor alone. The most important fact involved in treating food allergies is that the patient needs to actively participate in the entire treatment process; it is the patient who requires following most of the treatment instructions and not the doctor.
Some Basics of Treating Food Allergies:
Be aware about the common food allergies that normally occur in the childhood such as soy, tree nuts, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, egg, and fish. Sometimes, allergies to tree nuts, shellfish, and peanuts can prove to life-threatening.
Understand the severity of cross-reactivity. Cross-reactivity means that if you are allergic to a particular foodstuff belonging to a specific category (for instance, cashews), then there are high chances of you being allergic to other foodstuffs from the same category (like tree nuts, almonds, or walnuts).
Be positive and realize that many children come over food allergies by the time they are about five years old. As recommended by several experts, introducing solid food in small quantities by the age of six months, along with breast milk, can help a great deal in preventing food allergies.
Identify the various possibilities of the allergic reaction being caused because of some addictives like preservatives in the food product rather than the actual foodstuff itself. One of the common offenders added to several products is monosodium glutamate (MSG).
How to Treat Food Allergies
The best way to avoid food allergies is staying away from offending food stuffs. Once the food, which is allergic to the patient, is recognized, the safest way to avoid allergy is to remove the food from the patient's list of diet. To make this practical is a bit difficult as the patient has to read out all the ingredients in detail on the label of each food he is going to consume. Many foodstuffs can have the allergy-causing food materials such as eggs, peanuts, and milk, although these may not be directly associated with the food. For example, milk is found in many bakery products, peanuts are associated with protein supplements, and some of the salad dressings contain a good proportion of eggs. People should avoid foods that they are sensitive to and even in restaurants, they should order only those things which they think are safe for them n case of a severe food allergy, sometimes, anaphylactic reaction also needs to be treated. People who know well about the foods to which they are sensitive can either do some mistake or may be served with foodstuffs that they should avoid. For the sake of protection, those having anaphylactic reaction to some food must indicate by wearing a 'medical alert' necklace or a bracelet that they are allergic to a particular food and they are prone to several severe reactions.

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Allergies Making You Miserable? Seek Help From an Allergist

Allergic reactions are not limited to pollen from outdoors or pet dander indoors. Many people suffer from allergies to foods, medications, and other aspects of their environments. You should seek help from an allergist if you know or suspect that you have an allergy and are unable to control the reactions or obtain relief. An allergist is a special type of doctor that has the training and experience to diagnose and treat allergy related illnesses. There are several types of tests that he can perform to help gain information about your body and how it reacts to allergens.
If you suffer from allergic reactions but are unable to pinpoint the source, your doctor may perform a skin test to help with a diagnosis. During a skin test, your skin is pricked by a very small needle containing possible allergens (one allergen per needle). If your skin reacts with a welt, then there is a good chance that you are allergic to that allergen. For instance, your doctor may prick your skin with allergens such as dust mites, milk, peanuts and eggs. If you react to any of these, your skin will show it by swelling slightly (about the size of a mosquito bite) and itching. This allows the allergist to better assist you in coming up with a plan to avoid the allergen and treat reactions.
Some allergies affect lung (pulmonary) function and breathing. You may have asthma or asthma-like symptoms that are triggered by allergens. Tests are available that will allow your allergist to create a plan to alleviate your symptoms and get you on a path to better health.
One thing to remember about allergies is that often the best plan of attack is the process of elimination. If tests are not definitive, you may need to keep trying until you find the culprit. While not the most streamlined method of diagnosis, it is likely the only way to find out what plagues your body. It is important to explicitly follow the instructions of your allergist to get the best results possible. He will work to help you as much as possible, but you have to be a willing and active participant in the process.
In some cases, it can be a bit difficult to get an appointment with this type of doctor. Since all insurance plans vary, you need to find out whether or not you need a referral. Once you can schedule the appointment, be sure to let the receptionist know how acute your symptoms are. Patients that are in acute distress are sometimes given a priority appointment to alleviate their symptoms. It never hurts to call and see if there is anything available sooner rather than later.
Working with an allergy specialist takes time and patience, but most patients agree that the results are worth it. If you suffer from allergies, this may be your best course of action as it certainly beats continuous suffering.

When you need a trustworthy Tulsa allergist, call on http://www.aaicenter.net/.

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Homeopathic Remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food allergies or sensitivities are a group of signs and symptoms that denote adverse immunologic reactions to food. Nowadays thanks to coloring agents, preservatives, pesticides, and newer food storage techniques food allergies and sensitivities have become a very common phenomenon. The manifestation of food allergies or sensitivities are specific and highly individualized depending on age, sex, the quantum of exposure to a specific allergen.
If a person is allergic to some food, the manifestation of allergic reaction starts once the food enters the mouth. The mouth starts itching and once the food enters the stomach, abdominal dysfunctions starts and the person starts experiencing vomiting, stomachache, cramps and diarrhea. Severe gastroenteritis where there is vomiting and diarrhea cause a drop in blood pressure. On skin the manifestations are to dermatitis or hives with severe itching, red welts with heat and irritation and occasional swelling. The respiratory manifestations might vary from a slight difficulty in breathing to severe wheeze. The manifestation differs from persons to person.
Homeopathic remedies for Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Homeopathy has an excellent remedy for treating food allergies and sensitivities. As the treatment for these problems require a very individual approach, homeopathy treats food allergies by the use of simple remedies.
However, food sensitivity demands treatment that is specific to a particular problem, a specific allergen and a specific manifestations.
Some of the remedies for food allergies and sensitivities are:
Arsenicum Album: This is the remedy to think of first in any case of food related gastric upsets.This remedy is indicated when the patient is down, severely dehydrated with frequent passing of "White, rice watery liquid stools", where there is thirst for small quantities of cold water and there is physical and mental restlessness with anxiety.
Aloes Socrotina: Pain around the navel region. Sense of fullness and distension of the abdomen and a feeling that there is a constant need to evacuate the bowels. Burning sensation with the loss of power of the sphincter's of the rectum with the passage of lumpy, mucus stained undigested stool.
Calcarea Carbonica: The indications that ask for the use of this remedy are fatigue, anxiety sometimes with claustrophobia or fear of heights, lack of stamina, chillness, etc. The other common symptoms are developing digestive problem and heart burn after eating milk or wheat products, dizziness, swollen lymph nodes and tonsils, back pain, shortness of breath from exertion and strong craving for sour liquids.
Carbo Vegetabilis: It is an effective remedy for people who show indications of weakness, faintness, chillness, and indigestion due to reactions to food allergens. Such patients may also experience difficulty in breathing, strong desire for fresh air, frequent need to burp, bloating and flatulence.
Gelsemium: Patients who develop symptoms of chillness, weakness, trembling, muscle pain, droopiness in eyes due to allergy reactions ask for this remedy. They may also suffer in the back of the head and muscles of the neck and feel ill and weak.
When you are allergic to some food, your body responds to this food. Sometimes your immune system may react to even good food. Food allergies are not an ailment which needs to be cured but it is a manifestation of basic imbalance of the body.

For more homeopathic remedies please visit http://www.drnanduri.com/

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Are You Dealing With Food Intolerance Symptoms?

After enjoying a meal, someone may start to feel uncomfortable-specifically with one of the following...

• Pain in the stomach
• Outbreaks of wind
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Sudden irritability
• Weight gain

The cause may be a food intolerance which is a response from the digestive system to a specific food; an ingredient in the food irritates the digestive system and the person is unable to digest and breakdown the food properly. One of the most common food intolerances is dairy intolerance which means an individual experiences the symptoms above when they eat milk or dairy products. Dairy intolerance affects approximately 10% of the population. Gluten intolerance is also common-as is wheat intolerance. Gluten intolerance symptoms and wheat intolerance symptoms include 'typical' food intolerance symptoms. But it may not be those foods that are causing the problem...it could be the nori seaweed or the Lindseed you have everyday because it is 'healthy'
Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance
Many people confuse food allergies with a food intolerance-and vice versa. Typically, the symptoms from a food allergy are more severe and can include the symptoms above plus:

• Hives
• Rashes
• Irritated skin
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction)

Sometimes, the cause of digestive difficulties can be food poisoning caused by eating food that has not been cooked properly or is well past its 'use by' date. However, a food allergy creates a reaction in the immune system and can affect organs-meaning a food allergy can be life-threatening.
When a person is experiencing digestive discomfort or other gluten intolerance symptoms, it's wise to visit a medical professional. At the clinic or surgery, the doctor or physician's assistant will begin a series of tests to determine if the problem is linked to food poisoning, a food allergy or a food intolerance. One method of diagnosis is eliminating 'suspect' foods from the diet and keeping a food diary. While this diagnostic method can work, it can take several weeks, or even months, to pinpoint the 'offending' food or additives.
Another method is to take a series of tests. Patients can take a test for allergies or intolerances.The tests are broad at first then become more specific: the first step is a test that determines if there's an intolerance present to the most common foods. If this test comes back positive, then it's possible to pinpoint one of almost 300 foods or additives that may be causing the problems. The tests are easy to administer and produce very specific results. Here's how it works.

• The patient takes a test for food intolerance. It comes back positive.
• A more specific test reveals the patient is not only intolerant to fish but reveals which fish.
• The patient eliminates salmon from their diet and can enjoy other types of fish.

Certain tests can determine the severity of the intolerance. And testing may come back negative.
Once testing is complete, the next step for the patient is to eliminate the problem foods from their diet. The results can be immediate and dramatic: the patient enjoys a better quality of life free from the discomforts associated with food intolerance and food allergies.

Julie Goyen is the Managing Director of ImuPro Australia & New Zealand, which provides testing products for the diagnosis of food intolerances and food allergies.

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I Don't Have Food Allergies - Do I?

Most people have food allergies and are not aware that they do. Why? Because the common conception of food allergy is that your throat closes up and you have to rush to the hospital after eating something you are allergic to. There are many different forms of food allergy, some doctors refer to the less severe reactions as food sensitivities or intolerances rather than allergies. What's the difference? Your immune system produces five different types of antibodies - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE.
IgE Antibodies
IgE antibodies are responsible for the more severe, potentially life threatening allergic reactions like what we associate with peanut allergies. Most people who have these are aware that they have them because the reaction is so immediate and severe. The type of symptoms people can experience with an IgE mediated food allergy reaction are lips tingling, itching in the mouth, throat tightening or closing, difficulty breathing, hives and full blown anaphylactic reaction, usually fairly immediately after exposure to the food allergen. Medical doctors test for IgE related allergies by a skin prick test. IgE antibodies tend to hang out in the skin, so a skin prick is a viable means of testing of this type of antibody.
IgA Antibodies
Celiac disease is an IgA related food allergy to gluten or gliadin a protein similar to gluten. Both are proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. Oats are often contaminated with gluten from being processed in the same facilities as gluten containing grains. Common symptoms of celiac disease include: anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bloating, and irritability. Celiac disease can have severe consequences if sufferers are not following a gluten free diet, so thorough testing for celiac disease is vital. Testing should include blood tests for tissue transglutaminase, anti-endomysial antibodies, IgG and IgA antibodies to gluten/gliadin.
IgG Antibodies
IgG antibodies to foods are extremely common. In testing several hundred patients, only three of them haven't had any IgG antibodies to foods. The rest have had multiple food intolerances, usually 8-12 and were not aware they had any food allergies. However, once all of the food allergies were known, and these foods were excluded simultaneously, people will usually notice dramatic improvement. The type of symptoms people experience with IgG food allergies are skin rashes like acne, eczema and psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, mucous in the stool, rectal itching, rectal leaking, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, sinus congestion or recurring sinusitis, vaginal irritation not related to yeast, environmental allergies, asthma, arthritis and autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis or lupus. IgG antibodies tend to be located in the blood stream, so the best means of detecting IgG food allergies is a simple blood test.
IgM and IgD antibodies are not generally tested for food sensitivities.

Dr. Pamela Frank, ND maintains a busy, diverse naturopathic practice with a special interest in women's health and fertility. Pamela was twice voted "Best Naturopath in Toronto" by the readers of NOW magazine. She has been the clinic director at Forces of Nature in Toronto ON for the past 12 years and is a member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Pamela can be reached at Forces of Nature at 416.481.0222 or by email at PFrankND@ForcesofNature.ca
For more information visit http://www.ForcesofNature.ca or http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca

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Test Your Allergic Reaction

An allergy is actually a disease that most people have that manifests only at certain times when their body interacts with allergens. There are several times when you would be surprised that you react negatively to what seemed to be a simple occurrence or an object that has been around you for a while already.
Medical experts agree that allergies can actually be managed well if you are informed of what causes it. You may be able to undergo different tests to check which of the objects around you would create an allergic reaction from your body. There are three main tests you could go through: skin testing, blood testing, and elimination testing.
Skin testing is also called as prick or puncture testing. It involves the skin on your arms or the back, where most allergic reactions are very visible. When you undergo this test, the health personnel would look for possible allergens and puncture the skin with it. Sometimes, and especially when the test is done with the skin on your back, there would be like tables with grids. If the object is an allergen, your skin would exhibit reddish spots or swollen bites.
Blood testing, meanwhile, looks for antibodies called immunoglobulin and how its presence would affect your reaction to specific objects. In general, when the amount of the antibodies is very high, there is a greater probability that your body would exhibit allergic reactions. This is more of a predictive type of test because while an allergen may not cause reactions at the time you are tested, the amount of antibodies measured may indicate the likelihood of the same allergen doing so in the future.
Lastly, you may also undergo a more extensive test that is elimination. In this type of test, your diet is at the most of concern. You will be asked to consume foods that are probable allergens and then slowly removing these in time. The aim is to re-introduce the foods eliminated to check if they indeed cause the allergic reaction.
All of these tests are highly suggested to be done with the aid of medical professionals (nurses, doctors, etc.) to ensure that the results your body has posed are interpreted correctly and that the procedures are of course carried out with the appropriate tools. In the end, your cooperation is a great key for the success of these tests. If you have any general questions about allergic reactions or how to manage your general health, it's recommended that you consult your general practitioner, a trusted osteopath or nutritionist.

Hi. I'm Rachel Berret, a big advocate seeing an osteopath for your health complaints. I have a great osteopath Melbourne that helps me overcome my own aches and pains such as back pain, neck pains and headaches.

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How Do You Test For An Allergic Reaction?

There are various kinds of tests that can be done to test people for allergic reactions on certain medications, materials, or food. Three of the common methods of testing for an allergic reaction are: skin tests, blood tests, provocation, and elimination-type tests.
Skin tests
Skin tests are probably the most common procedures done to test skin reactions of people to various stimulants such as food, substances that cause rhinitis and asthma such as pollen, mold, animal fur, and the likes; penicillin, venom, and allergic contact dermatitis.
There are various methods of doing skin tests. One specific method is referred to as prick test. This involves applying an allergen, specifically a suspected allergen which can cause allergy to the patient, on the skin, particularly on the forearm or back. The skin with the allergen will then be pricked so that the allergen will enter the body. After 15 minutes or so, the skin will swell and will turn red once the person is allergic to the substance applied.
Another method of skin testing is called intradermal skin test. This method is done by directly injecting the allergen into the skin and will wait for a few minutes for the signs of an allergic reaction. This method is used in determining if you have allergic reactions with something more specific like venoms or stings.
Blood tests
Blood tests on the other hand, is done when skin tests are not appropriate or if it does not show results. Blood tests measure the amount of antibodies your blood has to specific allergens. Blood tests have two other types: the absolute eosinophil count and the total lgE level.
Elimination test
Elimination tests, on the other hand are done to test allergies in food. This method is done through eliminating food that are suspected to be the cause of allergic reactions of a person. After not allowing the person to consume this type of food for two weeks or so, the food will be re-introduced to see if the body will have any allergic reactions to it.
Provocation test
Lastly, the provocation method is a method that can cause serious allergic reactions and should only be done by a doctor. This method involves exposing the person to allergens that the doctor or the person suspects as the reason for the allergic reaction. Examples of this method is exposing you to specific types of food that may cause allergies and sniffing into pollen or fur.
If you have any general questions about allergic reactions, consult your general practitioner, a trusted osteopath or nutritionist.

Hi. I'm Rachel Berret, a big advocate seeing an osteopath for your health complaints. I have a great osteopath Melbourne that helps me overcome my own aches and pains such as back pain, neck pains and headaches.

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What Is An Allergic Reaction?

Have you experienced having rashes after eating a round of shrimps? And, if things get even worse, you may even experience symptoms of asthma, such as shortness of breath or even coughing. If this happens to you again, visit your physician right away. These reactions or symptoms may actually be linked to an allergic reaction to an external stimulant. But, what exactly is an allergic reaction.
By definition, an allergic reaction is actually a condition involving the hypersensitivity of your body's immune system to a certain substance, called allergens. Allergic reactions mostly occur when you are exposed to an object or a substance that you deem normal. For example, eating eggs would not cause an allergic reaction to your sister, but it would to you. This means that your immune system reacts differently and defensively against the eggs in a way your sister does not. As medical experts say, this is only natural.
The common symptoms of an allergic reaction are reddish eyes, itchy skin, coughing, difficulty in breathing, and runny nose. You might find your body giving out different reactions to various allergens, or the things that cause the allergic reaction.
There are different categories of allergens. One of them is food. With a variety of foods available in the market such as meat, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables along with processed foods and preserved products, it is quite understandable that your body would find something it does not agree with.
When it comes to treating allergic reactions, prevention is still better than cure. It is always better to just stay away from things or substances causing the allergy rather than to search for what could cure the reactions of your immune system. As the reactions are similar to flu, it entails that the virus and the allergens are difficult to eliminate. Thus, it would take long before you are finally cured.
The best way to prevent allergic reactions is to know what causes them. Particularly, you should know what types of allergens you are allergic to. There are different tests to determine if your body would still react negatively to the allergens. The two common tests are skin and blood tests. With skin tests, small portions of the allergens are introduced into the skin to check if the body would react. Blood tests, on the other hand, are implemented to check the internal make up of your body to determine how you would react to different allergens.
An allergic reaction can be quite difficult to treat and manage. Hence, it is important that you keep away from anything that can cause your body to react negatively. This way, your discomfort is minimized as much as possible. If you are unsure about your general health, it is advised that you consult your general practitioner, a trusted osteopath or nutritionist.

Hi. I'm Rachel Berret, a big advocate seeing an osteopath for your health complaints. I have a great osteopath melbourne that helps me overcome my own aches and pains such as back pain, neck pains and headaches.

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Food Allergies in Kids: Be His Advocate

I always wanted to be a mom. Finally at age 26 our first born son arrived in our life. STOP THE BUS! It was NO fun at all. From birth he was the fussiest baby I had ever been around. We would run a vacuum for 45 mins. to help soothe him (so the old wives tale goes). Nothing worked. I stopped eating dairy while I was nursing. Then we put him on soy formula. The poor kid was miserable and mom and dad were right there with him. At this rate, we were NOT going to have more children. The pediatrician thought everything was "normal". He was "colic". Sorry, I am not doctor but I had been around enough kids to know this wasn't just a fussy baby. By age 2 he had had C. Diff and we couldn't get rid of it. C. Diff is not typical in children. We were starting to see outbursts of rage, not typical tantrums. His Ear, Nose and Throat doctor would not allergy test him until he was 5. That's when I decided I was his only advocate in this world. I couldn't rely on what the pediatrician and E.N.T. thought was best for him which was to stay on soy milk and come to terms with his behavior. So many kids are diagnosed as autistic and I thought we were headed down that road. (I used to think Jenny McCarthy was a quack with her gluten free hysterics but I would soon totally agree with her.)
In my job I deal with several medical offices. On this one particular day I was spilling my guts to one of the nurses and she felt one of their doctors would be willing to see our child. After our first meeting this doctor knew that I was a very concerned mom and agreed to move forward with allergy testing at age 2 1/2. On December 31, 2008 our son was tested for IGE (food allergies) and IGG (food sensitivities) through a very simple blood draw.
What did I expect the result to be? "Yes, we have found your son to be very allergic to dairy." What was the result? When we saw our doctor for the follow up our 2 1/2 year old had pretty extreme sensitivities (IGG) to DAIRY, WHEAT, SOY and EGGS. His sensitivity to dairy was actually the casin protein. His allergy to wheat was the gluten protein. Wow, was I floored, overwhelmed and incredibly angry at all the doctors who didn't want to believe this first time mom! Immediately we removed all of the above from his diet. This was so hard and extremely overwhelming. Over the weeks and months to come we figured it out. We found great resources in our local Whole Foods stores, Meijer grocery and even Kroger. Almost immediately we saw a dramatic change in our child.
Over the next 3 years of his life we remained off dairy, soy, wheat and eggs. His breakfast consisted of gluten free, dairy free waffles or pancakes, some corn based dry cereal and of course Rice Dream Vanilla Rice Milk. Bread was definitely the hardest product to substitute. Many brands try very hard but bread just cannot be reproduced with rice flour, tapioca flour, etc. without being dense and hard. We used lots of corn and rice pasta. We found Daiya shredded cheese to be our best alternative for him. We bought So So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt and we were all set to go. I found myself crying about how incredibly different this child was (normal) with the diet his body required. What if I hadn't been an advocate for him? What if I hadn't fought? What if we had listened to the first doctor and never pursued the testing until age 5?
This past summer at age 5 1/2, 3 years into his new diet, we suddenly saw some changes in his behavior and tantrums that were not age appropriate for a 5 1/2 year old. Again, we went back to our doctor and requested to be retested. It was done on the spot at our request. Again, SHOCKER for mom! Our son's allergies had really changed. There is a difference between sensitivities and true food allergies. He had always just been sensitive to foods. (Although not to down play sensitivities, they can be extremely hard to live with.) The new test results showed that we had crossed the line from sensitivities to true food allergies. He was now truly allergic to corn. Well, why not? His whole diet for 3 years straight was full of corn. All of our wheat substitutes were corn products. HOWEVER the best news was to learn from this 2nd round of testing that after 3 years of eliminating certain foods at age 5 1/2 he was no longer allergic to dairy or wheat.
So now at almost age 6, we are off all corn. Which to most seems very overwhelming but when I encourage parents I say that all the effort of finding the right foods, products, extra money that is spend on groceries, is SO worth having a HAPPY, HEALTHY child. Right? So we are off corn. We have slowly reintroduced wheat and he seems to be doing well. We have introduced milk products but not pure milk. He still drinks Rice milk and he is still off all eggs.
The point behind all of this is that you have to be an advocate for your children. You might not be educated in the medical field BUT you know your children better than anyone else. No one else is going to stand up for, defend or love your kid like you will. Keep searching for doctors until you find one who listens and respects you as a parent. Talk with other parents about their struggles and experiences. I hope someday my child understands how much I love him and how his life is different because of the fight I put up for him.

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Are the Foods You Eat Making You Sick? Identifying Food Allergies

We have all heard the old saying, "You are what you eat." Unfortunately, for many people, food is a source of chronic illness. Food allergies and food intolerances can create a host of health problems--from hives and anaphylaxis, to eczema, asthma, headaches, sinus infections, celiac disease, digestive issues, depression, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and many others conditions.
Over fifty million people--that's one out of five people in the U.S. suffer from allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, one out of twenty children under the age of five and one out of twenty-five adults are allergic to at least one food. The number of people affected by food intolerances is suspected to be higher.
Food Allergy or Food Intolerance
The terms food allergies and food intolerances are often used interchangeably, although they have two different definitions. A food allergy is when the body's immune system generates an immunological reaction when exposed to a food allergen. The symptoms of a food allergen appear quickly, such as eating a peanut and then getting hives or a skin rash or even anaphylaxis minutes to hours later. The term food intolerance is used to describe reactions to foods, however the immune system is not directly involved. People with food intolerances can experience a variety of symptoms including headaches, brain fog, fatigue, depression, stomach aches, eczema, asthma, colic, joint pains, insomnia, and many other symptoms, but the symptoms are usually delayed and can occur hours to days after eating the irritating food.
The Top Ten Food Allergies
The list of the most common food allergens includes: wheat, eggs, dairy, soybean products, corn, citrus fruits, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potatoes), peanuts, shellfish and alcohol. Babies and young children are most often allergic to milk, eggs, wheat, soybean products, and peanuts. Older children and adults are most often allergic to peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews), fish and shellfish.
The Elimination / Rechallenge Diet
The gold standard for assessing food allergies is the elimination/rechallenge diet which involves eating a restricted diet, avoiding any potential food allergen for four to six weeks, then reintroducing a suspected food allergen into the diet and observing any reaction. The advantages of this testing method include:
• People can easily identify an adverse reaction to a food when they reintroduce it to the diet
• There is no added cost or expensive testing involved with this diet
The cons to this diet include:
• Many people find it difficult to stick to a restricted diet for 4 - 6 weeks
• It takes extra effort to buy and prepare hypoallergenic meals
ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) Testing
This method of food allergy testing is done through a blood test where serum is measured for specific immune markers--IgE and IgG antibodies--to specific foods. The advantages of this testing include:
• Less time consuming than the elimination/rechallenge diet
• It can be safer than skin prick testing if a person has anaphylaxis reactions to foods
• The results can be very motivating for people to change their diets
The disadvantages of this test include:
• This testing is not 100% accurate or reliable
• Some people show high levels of immune markers, such as IgE antibodies, but when they eat the food they do not have adverse reactions
How to Heal from Food Allergies and Intolerances
Healing from food allergies or food intolerances usually involves some avoidance of the foods that aggravate symptoms for a period of at least 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. The avoidance of food triggers will help decrease inflammation in the body and give the body time to heal. There are a variety of supplements used to help heal the lining of the intestine. Probiotics are an essential component of reestablishing the bacterial balance in the digestive tract and encouraging intestinal healing. The probiotic strains with the most research include lactobacillius rhamnosus GG, bifidobacteria and saccroymyces boullardi, which is actually a strain of yeast that helps balance intestinal flora. Other nutritional supplements used to heal the gut include:
• Digestive enzymes used to help breakdown food
• L-glutamine, an amino acid used to heal the lining of the intestine
• Whey protein powder used to strengthen the immune system in the gut (not recommended for people with dairy allergies)
• Quercetin, a bioflavonoid used to prevent histamine reactions
• Drinking green tea can decrease allergic reactions
Healing food allergies and food intolerances requires effort. It requires the willingness to change your diet and your lifestyle. There are many health care practitioners who specialize in treating food allergies and food intolerances. Consider consulting with your local health provider to learn more about identifying and healing food allergies.

Dr. Julieanne Neal is a Naturopathic Doctor at Boulder Natural Health, a naturopathic medical clinic specializing in natural, holistic and alternative health care for women, men and children in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, check out our website at: http://www.bouldernaturalhealth.com

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Gluten, Wheat, Lactose Intolerance: 3 Food Intolerances and How to Treat Them

Three of the most common food intolerances are gluten, wheat, and lactose. Gluten is the storage of proteins in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. It's prevalent in bread, cakes, and baked goods. People with wheat intolerance experience negative reactions to the proteins in wheat; children are often wheat intolerant. Lactose is the building block of dairy products and people who are lactose intolerant are intolerant to the proteins in milk. People with these common food intolerances will experience the following:

• Bloating
• Stomach and abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Excessive Gas/wind
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Indigestion
• Fatigue
• Strong headaches
• Weight gain

Before going into specifics about lactose, gluten, and wheat intolerance, it's important to understand the fundamentals behind them. Although the symptoms are often similar, food intolerance should not be confused with a food allergy, which is a hypersensitivity to certain foods caused by the presence of certain antibodies; these allergies affect the body's organs while intolerances only affect the digestive system.
Food intolerances typically develop over time and the onset of symptoms can be slow. People who experience these have type III Gig antibodies. Symptoms can occur anywhere between 8 and 72 hours after eating the offending food or additive. The food causing the problems stresses the immune system and this affects the digestive system. The body believes the food being eaten is going to cause an infection caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungi; the food triggers the body's defense mechanism.
Gluten, Wheat, and Lactose Intolerance: The Details.
The most serious form is Coeliac disease. This leads to the poor absorption of certain nutrients and can lead to serious health problems. Approximately 15-20% of people with gluten intolerance have Coeliac disease; it can take up to 13 years to develop. People suffering with either should avoid any food with oats, kamut, spelt, rye, barley, and oats; this includes bread, flour, biscuits, cakes, noodles, pizza and beer.
People with wheat intolerance can often eat products with grains-other than wheat. Approximately 15% of the population has common symptoms from wheat. The symptoms experienced from eating wheat can worsen to Irritable Bowel Syndrome but the most common symptom is bloating. Foods to avoid include cereals, breads, and pastas plus sauces, yogurts, and beer containing wheat-based stabilizers. And some sausages use wheat for filler.
Some people who are lactose intolerant cannot digest the sugars (lactase) found in wheat products; others experience symptoms because they are intolerant to the proteins in milk; the latter is known as a type III dairy intolerance. And people who are lactose intolerant can also be fructose intolerant. Conditions that can follow include chronic dehydration, iron deficiency, malabsorption, and osteoarthritis.
Fortunately, testing is easier than in the past. Testing starts with a general allergy/intolerance test. If the test comes back positive for a food intolerance, further testing can pinpoint whether a person is experiencing a specific type. And today's testing can test for up to 271 types of food stuffs. This type of specificity means people can avoid a specific type of food while enjoying other types of food.
Patients who are lactose, gluten, or wheat intolerant face the inconvenience of avoiding certain foods. But after accurate diagnosis and through a revised diet, they can enjoy life without the painful symptoms.

Julie Goyen is the Managing Director of ImuPro Australia & New Zealand, which provides testing products for the diagnosis of food intolerances and food allergies.

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