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Food Related Allergies
Many people suffer from
food related allergies. One of the most common allergies is to Gluten, which
is found in Wheat, Barley, Rye and Oats. Symptoms
of a Gluten allergy include runny nose, gas, diarrhea and bloating. In
children it can also cause ear infections. The best way to test if you have a
Gluten or other food allergy is to totally avoid the suspected food for five
days. On the fifth day, eat a serving or two of those foods, and if you get a
reaction, you know which foods to avoid. Dairy is one thing that all humans
are allergic to at some level. Contrary to the ads for dairy digestive aids,
lactose-intolerance isn't something that happens to just a few of us. It's
estimated that 75% plus of human beings are lactose intolerant. If that isn't a
loud and clear, neon-signed message that we should be avoiding dairy, I don't
know what is. Think about it. A long time ago, someone decided that we were
going to consume the milk of another animal. And they built a whole industry
around it and convinced us that the milk made for the young of that species
(i.e., calves) was one of the best sources for the nutrients that we humans a
totally different species - needed to build strong bodies. Human beings don't
even have the enzyme necessary to digest cow's milk. What a surprise
since...hey, we're not cows! Not to mention that the hormone and antibiotic
level in processed milk can also lead to allergic reactions. Sort of bizarre,
isn't it? So, the moral of the story is to avoid dairy products. And again, I
understand that it's probably not going to happen overnight. At least be
thinking about phasing it out, an item at a time. And ok you may never cut it
out completely, but the less you have, the better off you'll be. In my book
Eating Right...For The Health Of It, you will find several replacements
for cow's milk such as almond, rice, oat and cashew
milk. I think they taste better than cow's milk and certainly do
not cause the negative reactions of cow's milk.
Alcohol is another hyper-allergenic item. If you're like
many people, your sinuses will get nice and stopped up after a few drinks,
especially beer and wine. Mild to severe sinus problems are common side effects
of drinking alcohol. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can cause
over 92 reactions including headaches, nausea, muscle spasm, blindness,
depression, fatigue, memory loss and anxiety - to name a few. Do you drink a
lot of diet sodas? Do you also get pretty regular headaches? Since Aspartame is
a vaso-constrictor (tightens the blood vessels), headaches are a pretty
predictable reaction. Steer clear of this poison.
Let's not forget MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), the staple seasoning in
Chinese food, among other things. Some of the most common reactions from MSG
are headaches, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat and
depression. The tough part about avoiding MSG is that it's often found in many
foods, but not listed in the ingredients, or even worse, it's referred to as
"natural flavor." Your own tolerance to MSG can vary widely from the next guy.
While it might take a pile of it to feel the affect, the smallest amount could
trigger a reaction as much as 48 hours later. Just look how many ways the
industry hides this stuff. Hidden MSG is not limited to foods. MSG sensitive
people have reported reactions to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and
cosmetics that contain MSG. The most common, obvious hiding places are in
ingredients called "Hydrolyzed Protein" and "Amino Acids", although not all
amino acids contain MSG. Drinks, candy and chewing gum are also potential
sources of MSG. Also Aspartic Acid, found in Aspartame, has been reported to
cause MSG-type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is also found in
some medications, so it is a good idea to check with your Pharmacist. Binders
and fillers for medication, nutrients and supplements - both prescription and
non-prescription - including some food formulas and some fluids administered
intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.
Even good food can often cause adverse reactions in certain people.
Strawberries, Pineapples, Tomatoes, Grapefruits and Oranges are common culprits
in causing hives, skin rashes and more often, pimples on the tongue and "cold
sores" on the lips.
As a side note, sometimes suspected
food allergies or sensitivities can be just reactions to fabric softeners,
deodorant soaps or detergents touching the skin and producing rashes or other
symptoms. If you have a reaction to a certain food or product, simply avoid it.
Copyright®
1985 - 2008. All rights reserved.
The information provided herein is privileged and may not be copied,
printed or disclosed to any
person (s) or organization
(s) without the written permission of
Dr. Joseph L. Esposito.
Last Update:
03/10/08 10:52:14 AM
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