Food Allergies

What can we do to reduce food allergies and sensitivies

We all have some sensitivity to food if we live in America, due to the high level of pesticides, preservatives, genetic modification, chemicals, additives, hormones and drugs that are in our food and water.
We eat processed food that removes the fiber, and adds sugar. Produce is picked before it is ripe so it can be shipped and not go bad.
Livestock is fed genetically modified grains, injected with hormones and antibiotics, and not allowed to graze or even move. So they are not healthy and contain many toxic substances.
We can reduce our exposure and improve our ability to eliminate toxins. We can make better choices and learn where to get higher quality food.

Food Sensitivities and Antibodies

Our immune system has the ability to make antibodies, which are also called immunoglobulins. Anti-bodies recognize a harmful pathogens or foods and initiate an immune response. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) are the most serious allergy reactions. IgM or IgG are more common and much less serious.
Whenever we eat a food that causes indigestion, pain, gas or bloating our immune system notices and remembers. I call this eating inflammatory food.
After enough exposure to inflammatory food your immune system will produce immunoglobulins to that food, and slow down digestion of that food as a protection to your body. Excess hydrochloric acid will be produced, and many symptoms will develop.
This antibody response is what we call an allergy reaction. This protective mechanism is considered a health problem because it causes so much discomfort such as: gas, bloating, abdominal pain, GERD, stuffy nose, itching.
We are thinking our immune reaction is the problem, when in fact it is the quality of the food that is the problem. If you eat bread that contains gluten and a lot of round up pesticide, your stomach will react to the round up as much as the gluten. Later, even if the glutenous food does not contain round up, you will still produce anti bodies, due to previous indigestion caused by round up. Our immune system has recognition of toxic food and responds. Now you have a gluten reaction even if no roundup is consumed.
This means that our immune systems are responding to food in a similar fashion as it does to bacteria.
What this means is that after enough exposure to toxic or contaminated food, you have lifetime antibody response to those foods, even if in the future you eat a clean organic version. The antibodies will cause mild to severe indigestion, gas and bloating. This is why digestive issues are epidemic.

Silent Inflammation

Do not underestimate the harmful effects of chronic inflammation because you do not feel inflammation the moment!
There is a lot of denial about this, because many of our favorite foods cause these allergy reactions. The most common allergy reactions are to foods containing: Wheat, Corn, Peanuts, Cashews, Soy, Cheese, Milk, and Butter.
Allergy food responses is your immune system protecting you, even if you do not want it to. America has a deteriorating food supply compared to Europe or Japan. Many banned substances in Europe are used in American foods. Pesticides, dyes, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, nitrates, hormones, and trans fat are used extensively to improve shelf life and taste.
Processed food is usually low quality, and inflammatory and we consume way too much of it.

Histamine

There are reactions like the excess production of histamine, which is not an immunoglobulin antibody response , but feels the same. Histamine can cause itching, rashes, stuffy nose, post nasal drip, sinusitis, sneezing, bloating and gas. Histamine reactions feels just like an allergy from antibodies!
How to deal with these reactions is different for each person. Personalized diagnosis and treatment is the ideal way to understand all this and learn how to maintain good health and enjoy food.
One of the keys to a strong Immune system is minimizing chronic inflammation. What you eat and drink is your choice, and in your control. However difficult it may be to make changes, it is one of the most important lifestyle adjustments you can make. There will be immediate and long term benefits.

Silent inflammation

You do not feel this!

You can feel some of the effects of inflammatory foods and beverages. Some effects are silent and you do not feel the effects for years, even though organs like your heart, brain, gall bladder, intestines, and liver are getting damaged.
Do not assume if you do not feel it, you do not have it. Silent inflammation is a high risk factor of fatty liver, obesity, coronary heart disease, dementia, and cancer.
You may not feel effects until a lot of damage has occurred. You cannot rely on what you feel in the moment. I always hear people say “they know their bodies”. It is usually not accurate and you lack the sensitivity to feel silent inflammation. This is in addition to inflammation you can feel (joint pain, sinusitis, skin rashes, fatigue, mucus, asthma).

Food as entertainment and comfort

I find people are incredibly resistant to changing their food choices. Stress leading to anxiety and depression drives this behavior. The addictive nature of many foods adds to this barrier, especially sugar and carbohydrates.
It is understandable to eat comfort food. Eating inflammatory comfort food is not a healthy coping mechanism. You can learn to substitute foods and beverages that are less inflammatory. I do not advocate stopping, I advocate substituting consumption of comfort foods that are inflammatory for ones that are less inflammatory. This may require professional guidance and time.
Food is our nourishment, as well as a comfort. We are often sacrificing nourishment for comfort. We lost our balance!
The development of good health practices is a constant challenge, and we are always going to have some times when we give into to questionable practices.
Beginning to replace inflammatory food with non-inflammatory food is a big step towards taking your health in your hands for permanent steady improvement to your day to day and long term health.
Everything you want can be found online these days, so there is no excuse for not being able to find what you need. Amazon has many foods and beverages that are less inflammatory even if your favorite supermarket has limited choices.

Resistance and Denial

If you cannot make changes to your diet, in spite of the realization you need to, you need professional help and support to deal with your resistance or denial. We all do better when we have support and accountability.

Processed Food

The most inflammatory food is processed food containing high levels of transfat, omega 6 oil and sugar like: donuts, cookies, cakes, pizza and other highly processed baked goods, or fried food like French fries, fried chicken, onion rings. Corn chips and nacho chips are also very inflammatory.

Enzymes for Gluten and Dairy

You can take enzymes that have DPPIV enzymes, to minimize gluten reactions. “Wheat free” is not “gluten free”. Wheat is only one grain that has gluten. Gluten is a protein found in many grains, and food can contain gluten and not wheat. All wheat has gluten.
One product that can help minimize inflammation from Gluten or Caesin (protein from cow’s milk) is called Glutenflam from Apex Energetics. DPPIV enzymes will break down gluten, and casein. I sell this product in my clinic

Genetically Modified

80-90% of corn, wheat and soy are now Genetically Modified (GMO) These foods are often the cause of many allergies and food reactions. Anything made from these modified foods can cause reactions. GMO can cause antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergenicity. These GMO products are nothing like what was grown 100 years ago.
Wheat has been infused with glyphosate, not sprayed, which means it is part of the grain. Modern wheat has much higher percentage of gluten than 100 years ago. The reaction to wheat and gluten is due to exposure to glyphosate pesticide, GMO development, and other substances in processed food. Corn is sprayed with Atrazine, a highly toxic poison.

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) are soil microbes to control insects, and when corn is grown, BT is commonly used in the soil. Corn exposed to BT can be a very allergic substance.

Gluten Free vs Organic

They have nothing in common. Gluten is a component of food. Organic is a method of growing and processing.
Oats and Rice can become contaminated with Gluten during farming, harvesting, processing and packaging. Food can be organic and contain gluten. Food can be gluten free and not be organic. Learn this vocabulary to become literate about food.

Sources of gluten free bread, grains, cereals and pasta

Bob’s Red Mill and Erewhon are good sources of Gluten free grains and cereals. They can be found online and their products are sold in Whole Foods, Trader Joes, MOMs, Wegmans, etc.
Go online and search for Gluten Free Dairy free Oats, Pasta and Bread. It will take an effort on your part to find non inflammatory foods. Online sources have everything these days.

Hypothyroidism and bloating

Thyroid hormones are needed by the stomach cells that produce hydrochloric acid (HCL). If you are low on thyroid hormone, it can lead to low HCL, which causes slow or inadequate digestion, which can cause gas, bloating, GERD.
Drugs that lower HCL are usually prescribed which feel better and are sometime the wrong solution. Low thyroid can be tested with a thorough blood test.
It may seem overwhelming to learn and make changes, so take baby steps and begin to improve your food and your health over time.
Look at the States of Change section of this website to learn what it takes to make changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sugar be addictive ?
Yes, sugar can be somewhat addictive, and can activate the brain circuitry that is part of the reward center in our brain. Sugar can cause cravings, and strong drives to consume sugar, even if you know it is not good for you.
Is it possible to heal a damaged GI tract.
Yes it is possible to heal, as long as it is comprehensive and some reduction of carbs and sugar is part of the plan, and reduction of inflammatory food is part of the plan.
What is high glycemic index?
It is a measurement of the sugar content of food. It can be easily researched on any computer or phone. High glycemic means it has a high sugar content.
Why is fiber important?
Fiber is the food your friendly bacteria eats. Friendly bacteria are located mostly in your large intestine and genito-urinary tract.
What is my Biome?
It is your microbiome and it is where your friendly bacteria live that play an important role in many metabolic functions. Friendly bacteria are also called probiotics (lactobacillus, bifidus, etc)
What are enzymes?
They are substances found in food and are also produced in our pancreas. They help digest protein, fat and carbohydrates. Examples are protease, lipase, lactase. Our food is lacking enzymes due to processing and/or pancreas is less able to make enzymes these days.
What is the most important change to make to my diet?
Reduce consumption of inflammatory food and beverages

Is alcohol unsafe to drink?
Some alcohol can be beneficial provided it is a moderate amount and not an inflammatory beverage. Each person needs to learn what this means. Alcohol can become addictive, and excess amounts can damage our liver and brain.
Is eating breakfast important?
I think eating something first thing in the morning is very important, and this is based on physiology. Even if the appetite is minimal, some blood sugar and protein is needed to get your functions activated.
What is your perspective about eating after 7:30 pm?
I think it is difficult to digest food at that time and minimal amount of easily digested food is best if you eat after 7:30 pm
Why is combining protein with carbohydrates important at the same meal?
Protein is a large molecule that digests slowly. Slow digestion of protein leads to slow digestion of carbs. Carbs digest quickly and become sugar. Without protein they are soon fully digested and lead to cravings for more sugar or carbs.