Food Allergies and Intolerances

These days is it becoming very common for people to be diagnosed with some type of food allergy or intolerance which can make life quite difficult for these individuals and/or their families.

Not only is elimination of the allergen from the diet important, but we must also look at treating the gut   as this is where over 70% of our immune system is located and a compromised gut mucosa is often associated with food sensitivities/intolerance’s. Leaky gut syndrome is commonly found in respiratory problems such as wheezing and shortness of breath as well as many skin conditions including eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, rashes and acne.

A number of natural substances found in foods such as salicylates, amines and histamines can cause sensitivities in susceptible individuals. Reactions may include hives, skin swellings, headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, mouth ulcers, and generally feeling run down or unwell without any apparent reason.

Children are particularly sensitive to chemicals in foods especially MSG, colourings and flavourings and often display ADHD-like characteristics such as restlessness and hyperactivity. These reactions are proportional to the amount consumed and are cumulative in nature with each individual having a unique tolerance threshold.

What’s the difference between a food allergy and an intolerance?

Food allergies are defined as “an immune-mediated reaction, predominantly IgE mediated immediate hypersensitivity reaction” which basically involve the immune system, are more immediate and the reactions are more severe than a food intolerance. Allergic responses typically affect the skin, gut and respiratory tract.

Allergic reactions are commonly characterized by: mucous secretion, sneezing, itching, coughing, bronchoconstriction, asthma, migraines, tear production, inflammation, anaphylaxis, diarrhea and abdominal bloating. The amount of food required to provoke a response is small and the reaction to the food may be altered by it’s method of preparation.

The most commonly implicated foods are:eggs, cow’s milk/dairy products, nuts (especially peanuts), wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and yeasts.

Individuals with allergic tendencies should avoid these foods for at least a month to allow the immune system to strengthen then each food can be reintroduced one-by-one to test for tolerance levels. Most food allergies occur in children due to their developing immune systems and inherited weaknesses but fortunately a large percentage will lose their allergies over a few years.

Food intolerance’s are more common and do not involve the immune system. They can occur due to digestive weaknesses such as enzyme deficiency where people simply do not produce enough of the right chemicals to break down foods (eg: lactose intolerance), or an overly acidic digestive system. These intolerance’s may be present from birth or acquired later in life.

Common symptoms include: anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches, hyper-activity, indigestion, nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel symptoms, aching joints/ muscles, fluid retention, skin rashes. The reaction is proportional to the amount of food eaten so there may be a threshold below which reaction will not occur. The symptoms provoked by the food are not immediate like allergic reactions and may occur anywhere between 2-48 hours after consumption with the reactions usually lasting longer in duration. Prolonged avoidance of the reactive foods builds tolerance so the longer the avoidance, the more likely the food can be reintroduced without the initial reaction. Also, tolerance can be maintained providing the food is not eaten too often or in too large an amount.

The most common reactive substances are: grains (especially wheat/gluten), yeasts, dairy products, food additives (colourings, nitrates, sulfates), salicylates, and amines.

The more processed a food is, the more likely that it will cause a reaction so it’s best to eat a variety of fresh, organic (where possible) food that is as close to it’s natural state as possible.

If you have any of the above symptoms and would like to find out what foods you are reacting to, please contact us on: 02 6684 1644 to make an appointment. Our Naturopath uses the VEGA test device to determine food allergies and intolerance’s which is an accurate, non-invasive testing procedure that can be performed on people of all ages, including children.
Avoiding those foods that you are sensitive to can make a huge difference to your physical, mental and emotional health so don’t put up with those unpleasant symptoms any longer!