A conversation in the office this week got us thinking about the topic of food allergies (even more than usual): Why is it that all of a sudden it seems that every other child has a severe food allergy, to peanuts, dairy, or some other commonly-consumed food? Many parents couldn't name a single one of their own peers with an allergy to sort sort of food, but know exactly what kid in their child's first grade classroom has to have a special snack prepared on birthdays. What changed in this latest generation, and what should all parents be looking for when it comes to identifying a food? Rubin Family Chiropractic went looking for answers.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy, like any other allergy, results from an exaggerated response of the body's immune system to a perceived threat. In layman's terms, it's as if rather than one officer coming to file a report on a fender bender, the entire state police, five fire trucks, and three ambulances plus a helicopter reported to the scene. This over-reaction of a normally helpful system is observed by inflammation. The degree to which this inflammation occurs determines the severity of the allergy. In cases of anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction, the throat may swell to a point that obstructs breathing, or inflammatory chemicals (like histamine) generated may lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
What are some signs of allergic reactions to food?
- Itchiness, rashes, or hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal cramping with or without nausea/vomitting
- Dizziness/Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
- Elevated pulse
- Any out of the ordinary behavior or signs, especially in children
The eight most common food allergens (accounting for about 90% of all food allergies) are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy. Other allergic reactions may come from food additives such as preservatives (like MSG), dyes, and added flavors.
Why the sudden rise in allergies?
The most likely reason that children today are experiencing more allergies than ever before is due to the fact that almost every food they eat has come into contact with pesticides, or has been processed with additives, or may even be raised from genetically modified seeds.. The changes in the way plants and animals were raised on farms were not fully tested for their effects on the people who consume them, so many of the changes in health observed in the present day may likely be attributed to the less-than-natural state of our foods. As Ann Wigmore said, "The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison."
What can I do about food allergies?
If you or child has an established food allergy, the best thing to do is avoid the allergen. If you are trying to determine whether your child has a mild allergy, an elimination diet might be in order. Take about three weeks away from the offending food or ingredient. Then, reintroduce it to the diet and see if the child reacts physically or emotionally. To prevent allergies, eat organic whenever possible. Make sure you know what your consuming! Read labels and educate yourself! And always get adjusted - chiropractic does wonders for your immune system. We here at Rubin Family Chiropractic are here to help answer any questions - and, of course, provide those adjustments. Look for our next blog post about food sensitivities and how you can not be allergic to something like diary or gluten but be quite sensitive to it!
Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001847/ - PubMed Health
http://www.foodallergy.org/section/common-food-allergens1 - Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/14/why-are-there-so-many-food-allergies-now.aspx - Mercola.com
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2 comments:
An allergy is a life threatening event or has the potential to become one. Reintroducing a food that your child has had an allergic reaction to (meaning, it affected the immune system) is a dangerous and irresponsible thing to do.
If you're talking about a food intolerance, that's an entirely different situation. But please don't label the fact that your child gets emotional whenever they eat wheat or have an upset stomach after eating dairy an allergy. It's simply an intolerance.
Thanks for your comment, however we did mention that you should avoid known allergens with the sentence:"If you or child has an established food allergy, the best thing to do is avoid the allergen." Plus we mentioned severe allergies with this concept: "In cases of anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction, the throat may swell to a point that obstructs breathing, or inflammatory chemicals (like histamine) generated may lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure."
Food intolerance isn't quite the correct description. There are 3 possible food issues: allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance. Thanks again for your comments.
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