Food Intolerances And Allergies - Is It Just In Your Head?

Food intolerance has become a major health issue today, dividing conventional and alternative medicine.

1. Are we a group of hypochondriacs?

"At least 45% of us believe we are allergic to basic foods such as wheat and dairy - causing anything from headaches to bloating and insomnia." (1)

So how do we get to the leaky gut stage?

It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems, chronic bowel syndrome (IBS) develops.

It is believed by many Leaky gut health practitioners to be associated with one of the most common digestive problems; Intestinal Syndrome (IBS).

2. Definitions

Food allergies - Is a genetic condition affecting approximately 2% of the population. The reaction to food can range from rash to severe, including anaphylactic shock. The RAST test confirms it by detecting antibodies (such as IgE). The most common foods related to allergy are genetic: cow's milk, soybeans, tree nuts, eggs, strawberries, bananas, chocolates, wheat, nuts, fish, shellfish, nuts and oranges.

Those who have a true food allergy if they have been exposed to it more than once will know about it. (2)

Food intolerance / sensitivity - Involves adverse reactions to food, but where the immune system rolls is uncertain because standard testing looks negative. There are other tests including those listed in the Daily Mail but the validity of the question is questionable. (2)

So where does this leave 45% experiencing real problems like bloated stomach, gas, diarrhea after eating certain foods? According to a scientific study of the Allergy Clinic, intolerance may trigger or worsen symptoms of a variety of common conditions including asthma, joints and muscles, headache, migraine, sinusitis, hyperactivity, ADHD, chronic fatigue, and Crohn's disease. (3)

Unacceptable source of food source

There is a strong suggestion that an increase in intestinal wall permeability, known as leaky gut syndrome (LGS), is behind a food intolerance. The basic premise behind the LGS is that large molecules pass through the weak intestinal wall (leak) and enter the bloodstream. This results in invoking the body's defense mechanisms such as white blood cells that produce antibodies to destroy the invaders.

So how do we get to the leaky gut stage?

It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems, chronic bowel syndrome (IBS) develops.

According to Dr. And Rutherford, GP, IBS is a common sight for doctors and some estimates suggest that as many as five adults in the UK suffer at one time. (4)

So what is the source of IBS?

The specialist provides a variety of possible causes including:

o Unhealthy diet (including eating our body foods that are not normal)

of Toxins

o Absence of stomach acid or digestive enzymes

o Drugs (antibiotics, cortisone)

o Dysbiosis (which leads to poor growth, e.g. Candida)

o Pressure

o Chewing is not enough

As you can see this is a controversial topic due to the lack of hard evidence.

The Daily Mail (Tuesday, March 7, 2006) contained an article called "Allergy Fraud" by journalist Charlotte Dovey. After receiving a RAST (blood test showing allergies) from a Harley Street doctor, he was told he had no food allergy. Ms Dovey then compared RAST results with various allergy detection methods from alternative medicine practitioners. Or as the reporters put it: entering the "strange world of food intolerance testing."

Ms. Dovey, who was told by various alternative practitioners that she was intolerant of various foods such as wheat, dairy and citrus (when the RAS test showed no allergies) concluded: "If I take this advice, my diet may be harmful. gluten, sugar and lactose are the staple foods. " (However, I believe this to be incorrect because I personally see the incredible transformation of those who give up two considered intolerance, wheat and dairy.)

What's interesting to note is that the health columnist for the Daily Mail is Dr. John Briffa, author of Bodywise. Dr. Briffa is widely regarded as one of Britain's leading experts in natural health. His book is an excellent source for a variety of overweight causes including food intolerance.

Dr. John Briffa has created a 10-question test as a guide to whether food intolerance might be a problem for you.

The following questionnaires are designed to help you determine if food sensitivities are a problem for you. Score each question as shown, and then increase your total score.

1. Do you feel tired after eating?

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 2 points

Frequent or severe problems

4 points

2. Do you often feel better if you don't eat?

No 0 points

Marginally better 2 points

Better

4 points

3. Do you have problems like colic, ear infections, ear infections,

eczema, asthma or recurrent tonsillitis in childhood?

No 0 points

Yes, sometimes it's a 3-point problem

Yes, frequent and / or severe problems

5 points

4. Do you have repeated and unexplained symptons?

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 2 points

Frequent or severe problems 4 points

5. Do you have excessive mucus or catarrh formation inside

throat, nose or sinuses?

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 2 points

Frequent or severe problems

4 points

6. Do you feel drawn to certain foods such as bread

or cheese?

No 0 points

Sometimes 2 points

Many times

4 points

7. Do you have dark circles under your eyes?

No 0 points

Yes 2 points

Frequent or severe problems

4 points

8. Do you experience fluid retention? (Tight ring, swollen face or

ankles and weights varying by two or more pounds

day by day are classic signs.)

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 2 points

Frequent or severe problems

4 points

9. Do you have bowel syndrome?

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 1 point

Frequent or severe problems

2 points

10. Do you have eczema, hives (urticaria) or are not diagnosed

rash?

No 0 points

Occasional or minor problems 2 points

Frequent or severe problems

4 points

Translate your values

0-9: food sensitivities10-20: food sensitivities should be considered as possible and recommended tests 21 and above: food sensitivities are possible and tests are highly recommended So what are the options if you have food sensitivities?

Apart from the various tests conducted by the dietary allergy clinic the elimination diet is one of the most commonly used methods by practitioners.

Your 3d trainer

Craig Burton

References

1. Allergy Fraud, Charlotte Dovey, Daily Mail, March 7, 2006

2. Nutrition and lifestyle trainer manual, Level 2, Chek Institute, 2002

3. http://www.allergyclinic.co.uk

4. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk

5. Bodywise, Dr. John Briffa, CIMA book, 2000

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