Dan Buryuro's Homeopathy Eczema Blog

Food intolerances and allergies – it's just in my head

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

1st Are we a bunch Hypochondriac?

"An astonishing 45% of us think we are allergic to basic foodstuffs such as wheat and dairy products – causing everything from headaches to bloating and insomnia. "(1) So how do we get to a stage of leaky gut?

It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs.

It is believed by many health professionals Leaky gut is associated with one of the most common digestive problems; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2nd Definitions

Food allergies – is a genetic disease that affects around 2% of the population. The response to the food can vary from a rash to something very severe including anaphylactic shock. The RAST test confirms this by showing antibody (as IgE). Common foods associated with a genetically inherited allergies is: cow milk, soy, nuts, eggs, strawberries, bananas, chocolate, wheat, peanuts, fish, shellfish, beans and oranges. People with a true food allergy, if ever exposed to that food more than once will know about it. (2)

Food intolerance / sensitivity – Implies a negative reaction to food, but the immune system's roll is uncertain, because standard tests proved negative. There are other tests, including those outlined in the Daily Mail, but the validity of many is questionable. (2)

So where does this leave the 45% who experience real problems like abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhea after eating a particular food? Moreover, according to the Allergy Clinic of scientific studies suggested that intolerance can trigger or aggravate the symptoms of a number common conditions including asthma, joint and muscle pain, headache, migraine, sinusitis, hyperactivity, ADHD, chronic fatigue, and Crohn's disease. (3)

Possible sources of food intolerance

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

So how do we get to a stage of leaky gut?

It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs.

According to Dr Dan Rutherford, GP, IBS is the commonest condition seen by physicians and some estimates suggest that as many as one out of five of the adult population in the UK suffer from it at once. (4)

So what is the source of IBS?

Experts give a number of likely causes, including:

• Poor diet (including consumption of foods our bodies are not accustomed to)
• Toxins
• Lack of stomach acid or digestive enzymes
• Drugs (antibiotics, cortisone)
• Dysbiosis (leading to a bad bug fouling, such as Candida)
• Stress
• Insufficient chewing

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

The Daily Mail (Tuesday, 7 March 2006) contained an article called "The Allergy Fraud "by reporter Charlotte Dovey. After receiving a RAST test (a blood test shows an allergy) from a Harley Street doctor she was told that she suffered from any food allergies. So Ms. Dovey compared the RAST results with other different methods for allergy detection of alternate medicine practitioners. Or as the reporter put it into the "crazy world of food intolerance testing ".

Now Ms. Dovey, who was told by various alternate practitioner that she was intolerant to some foods as wheat, dairy and citrus (when the RAST test showed no allergies) concludes: "If I took this advice to my diet danger. Basics such as wheat, gluten, sugar and lactose are staples. "(But this I believe is an incorrect statement, which I personally have seen amazing transformations from people giving up the two usually considered intolerance, wheat and dairy products.)

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

Dr John Briffa has come up with a 10 question test as a guide as to whether food intolerance can be a problem for you.

The following questionnaire is designed to help you determine whether food sensitivity is a problem for you. Score each question is given and then add your total score.

1st Do you feel lethargic soon after eating?
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

2nd Do you feel better if you do not eat?
No 0 points
Marginally improved 2 points
Much improved four points

3rd Do you have problems such as colic, glue ear, ear infections, eczema, asthma or recurrent tonsillitis as a child?
No 0 points
Yes, occasional problems 3 points
Yes, frequently and / or serious problems 5 points

4th Do you have recurrent, unexplained symptons?
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

5th If you suffer from excess mucus or catarrh formation in throat, nose or sinuses?
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

6th Do you feel particularly attracted to certain foods such as bread or cheese?
No 0 points
Occasionally two points
Often 4 points

7th Do you have dark circles under the eyes?
No 0 points
Yes 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

8th Do you suffer from fluid retention? (Tight rings, puffy face or ankles and a weight, which ranges from two or more pounds
from day to day is classic signs.)
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

9th Do you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome?
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 1 point
Frequent or severe problems 2 points

10th Do you suffer from eczema, hives (urticaria) or undiagnosed rash?
No 0 points
Occasional or mild problems 2 points
Frequent or severe problems 4 points

Interpreting your score 0-9: food sensitivity is unlikely10-20: food sensitivity should be considered as a possibility and testing is recommended21 and upwards food sensitivity is very likely, and testing is very recommendedSo what are the possibilities if you have food sensitivities? Apart from the different conducted tests of allergy clinics, a food elimination diet is one of the most common methods practitioners use.

Your 3D Coach
Craig Burton

References
1st The Allergy Fraud, Charlotte Dovey, Daily Mail, March 7, 2006
2nd Nutrition and lifestyle coaching manual Level 2 Chek Institute, 2002
3rd www.allergyclinic.co.uk
4th www.netdoctor.co.uk
5th Bodywise, Dr. John Briffa, CIMA books, 2000

About the Author

Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach and founder of 3D Personal Training Systems. Craig is a Sports Science graduate with postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training, and corrective exercise therapy.
He is the author of “The 21 Day Roadmap to Health” available at http://www.21dayroadmap.com.
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For more information and articles on health and fitness visit http://www.3dpts.com/articles.

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