What Are Food Allergies and Sensitivities?
Food Allergies and Sensitivities Earlier we briefly discussed food allergies and sensitivities, but I feel there is need to go into more detail. Just so you know, it was Dr. Clemens von Pirquet from Austria (specializing in pediatrics) in the year of 1906 that put the Greek words allos, which means “other” and ergon, which means “action”, and together it means allergy meant altered reactivity. There is an ongoing debate among physicians that the term “allergy” should be limited to conditions that can best be demonstrated by the use of skin allergy testing or laboratory tests in order to determine immunological reaction verses the broadness of allergies and hypersensitivities. Why Knowing More About Food Allergies/Sensitivities is Important At this point you should know your body, and if any of the symptoms listed below should occur, you will better know what to do or avoid. Please refer back to the leaky gut syndrome I mentioned before, as this may also play a part in why you are sick. These allergies or sensitivities could be toward a food, and/or irritants like pollens, mold spores, and/or animal dander, or chemicals.
Treatments The first thing one should do upon the realization of an allergic reaction or sensitivity is avoidance. There are also some over-the-counter, as well as prescription antihistamines so as to relieve and/or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and some other allergies. Decongestants may also be helpful in that they can help shrink the blood vessels and relieve nasal congestion. Types of Allergies By using an allergy prick test, one can easily identify whether the allergy is grass, ragweed pollens, animal danders and/or house dust mites. If you opt for the skin test, I think it is important for you to know the procedure. The doctor simply pricks your skin through a small amount of the allergy extract, if you are allergic, you and the doctor may see a reaction through your skin, and/or you may also feel a reaction. You may also find it interesting that many people who have food allergies and sensitivities don’t show a positive prick test, in which case they are “hidden,” “masked,” “variable” or “delayed-onset” food allergies and/or sensitivities. Believe it or not, such allergies or sensitivities of this type are often caused by things, and/or foods you eat on a daily basis. Things like wheat, corn, milk, yeast, chocolate, citrus and/or coffee. Remember, the more you eat of these things, the more prone you are to be allergic, and such things may not present themselves until weeks, months, possibly even years later! There are approximately 8 foods which cause 90% of all allergic food reactions, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. They are milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. There is another item that should be listed, as I have found my husband, daughter, close friend, and many others to have a sensitivity toward, and that is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG). I am now living in a region of the world where the masses of the people have been convinced by those who have brought these products here that the food isn’t good unless there’s Maggi®, Jumbo®, or other products containing MSG in them! Further, I even had a helper who thought there was something wrong with me because I don’t have these products in my home! Now I am being asked by many as to how they too can cook without it, as there are some upon tasting my food who have become quite surprised that food can be tasty without it! Watch this video to learn the truth about MSG,
Tracking Your Hidden Food Sensitivities It is best that you refer to the 10-Step Program mentioned earlier. For more information, please check out Rhonda Riggott Stevens, former president of the Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (FAACT) as she has more valuable information on the subject. Here's her link www.foodallergyadvocate.com New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
