Food Allergies
Food allergies result from the inability to digest foods properly. When undigested food is absorbed into the blood stream, the immune system goes into overtime and tries to eliminate the irritating substance. Checking for gluten intolerance is the first step anyone should take when dealing with obvious allergies to foods. The damage done by gluten intolerance sets the stage for absorption of large particles of undigested foods, by contributing to an intestinal system that is extremely permeable.
There are several ways to help the body naturally when food allergies are a problem. The first way is to add Food Enzymes (NSP 1836-9) or Hi-Lipase (NSP 1528-4) to your health regimen when eating. Enzymes can help breakdown food into smaller particles and alleviate some of the stress on the digestive system.
An elimination diet can help determine which foods are creating the problem if not already know. Remove all the suspected foods from the diet for at least 2 weeks. Add them back in one at a time to challenge the system and pay attention to how you feel. If there is no change, then that food is probably not an issue. If there is a response or reaction in any way, then the food should be removed for a longer period of time before repeating the challenge.
Reactions to foods can result in many different responses. Different reactions to look for can include any of the following (partial list):
- Stomach cramping, pain or irritation
- Rumbling in the intestines
- Increase in flatulence (gas)
- Congestion in the sinuses, runny or stuffy nose
- Chronic ear aches / infections
- Sore throat, chronic tonsillitis
- Constipation (slow elimination)
- Diarrhea (watery elimination)
- Mood swings or changes
- Behavioral changes
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Exhaustion, can’t stay awake
- Edgy, irritable
- Muscle aches and pains
- Joint aches and pains
Another way of controlling food allergies is a food rotation diet. A minimum of a four day rotation is necessary. Food can stay in the system for up to four or more days. Below is a four day rotation of food families. When doing a rotation of foods I encourage people to also keep a food and reaction diary. Divide a piece of paper for each day into two columns. Write down the foods and the time they are eaten on the left column and any reactions on the right column. After several times through the rotation, start looking for repeated reactions. Example: Day 2, Breakfast 2 scrambled eggs, banana. 1 hour later: Stuffy nose. If after each time of eating eggs and banana then probably one or a combination of both are problems. Try eating only the eggs or only the banana next time.
Rotation Diet Day 1
Rotation Diet Day 2
Rotation Diet Day 3
Rotation Diet Day 4