Have you ever wondered whether the foods you are eating may be contributing to your health complaints and overall lack of well-being? Of course we know that lots of refined sugars, caffeine, alcohol and fried fatty foods are ‘bad’ for use and should be consumed in moderation. But what I’m referring to here are the ‘food allergies’ and more importantly ‘hidden food allergies’ that may be causing more harm to your body than you even realize. Let’s start with a few definitions. ‘Food allergy’ typically results in an immediate hypersensitivity reaction that can trigger acute asthma or anaphylaxis and in some cases can result in a life-or-death situation. These are the allergies that require timely intervention of Epinephrine. ‘Hidden food allergies’ or ‘food sensitivities’ can either result in immediate but more subtle reactions, or can frequently be delayed by hours or up to several days.
Clinical observation backed by scientific lab data has confirmed that the presence of hidden food allergies are commonly a cause or contributing factor for a wide range of chronic physical and emotional disorders. Chronic symptoms or conditions which frequently have allergic components include the following: fatigue, migraines, persistent headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, gallbladder dysfunction, arthritis (rheumatoid and/or osteoarthritis), lupus, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, psoriasis, canker sores, recurrent infections (i.e. ear infections, sinusitis, post-nasal drip), anxiety, ADHD/ADD, autism, depression and PMS. Some symptoms may be very vague in presentation, such as lack of mental clarity or ‘brain fog’ after meals, inability to focus, difficulty sleeping, irritability, gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea and in some cases may be a cause of unexplained weight gain.
The most common food sensitivities are: dairy, eggs, corn, wheat, peanuts and sugar. There are many ways to test for food sensitivities. In my opinion, the two most accurate methods are the ‘elimination challenge diet’ and ‘serum IgG testing’.
The elimination diet involves eliminating all potential food allergies (hypoallergenic diet) for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Foods are then re-introduced one at a time (with 1-3 days in between). Ingestion of an offending food will result in a rapid and exaggerated reaction.
This is how the suspected or unsuspected allergens/intolerance are identified. The downside to the elimination diet is it can be very tedious and prove difficult for young children and adults with certain lifestyles.
The serum IgG testing method, involves a simple blood test where 90 or more foods are tested for reactivity against the immune elements collected in the blood sample. Results can take 2-3 weeks to process. The lab provides a multi-dimensional report, which demonstrates a clear ‘degree of reactivity’ or ‘severity of sensitivity’ to the foods being tested. This allows the patient and physician to determine which foods must be completely avoided and which foods can be consumed in moderation or in a rotational manner. This test can be costly, but it is quick, easy and very informative.
Once food sensitivities have been identified, I have my patients eliminate or avoid these foods for a period of time that is determined according to one’s severity of reaction(s). While doing so, we work on the underlying cause of their food to reduce reactivity to foods so that eventually, ingestion of the offending agent will not provoke such a severe reaction when consumed in moderation. The benefits of identifying and eliminating food intolerances are tremendous and many of my patients will say, “life-altering”. For children suffering with the ill effects of food sensitivities, it can have a significant impact on their present and future well-being- the earlier the intervention, the better.
Jennifer L. Kaumeyer, NMD
The Naturopathic Center
8128 Renaissance Pkwy Suite 202
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 919-484-1400
Fax: 919-484-1477
drkaumeyer@gmail.com
www.NaturalHealthCareofNC.com
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