Food Allergies - Do You Really Have Them?

Are you allergic to people? Probably not, but there are rare, documented cases that exist of allergies to other people! Allergies can occur to anything imaginable. You can react to external things by whatever means you are exposed to them, through your lungs, skin or intestines.

As a child, I had numerous allergies. The very worst one was to horses. Being near one would send me into an epileptic seizure! After undergoing scratch testing, which is torture for a child, my parents were told I was allergic to every animal with hair or feathers and 75% of all foods. My parents must have been overwhelmed by this news, because I don't remember any food restrictions being imposed upon me (and we always had a dog). Now that I'm older, my allergies aren't so severe. And when I'm off of my food allergy triggers, my airborne allergies are minimal and tolerable. (And I still have a dog).

Do you lament your weak immune systems as the cause of your allergies? Actually, the opposite is true. If your immune system didn't work you'd never have allergies! Allergies are not weaknesses but errors in one of your immune systems. Yes, you have two. As we humans evolved and adapted, older biological systems were more commonly added to rather than replaced. Your older "innate immune system's" primary function is to protect the body's openings and react to invaders quickly. The second or "adaptive immune system" learns what microscopic things are dangerous and which are not. The adaptive system keeps a "memory" of how an invading cell looks so it can respond quickly if it sees such a cell again. So, if you fought off mumps once as a child, your system retains the memory of how to do so for the rest of your life and can squelch any future infection of the same organism even if you don't show any symptoms.

Any point at which your body interacts with the world around you is a possible point of entry for allergies. This includes your respiratory tract (as discussed in our previous newsletter), your skin, and your intestinal tract. Thankfully most skin, or contact, allergies come on quickly so they are easy to identify. Because your intestines have different immune mechanism than your respiratory system or skin, the allergies are different. They can take longer to manifest and they can cause or contribute to symptoms literally anywhere else in your body.

There are two types of intestinal allergies. IgE and IgG. IgE reactions are immediate, (think E for Emergency Room) they are very quick in onset and cause severe symptoms like hives, congestion, swelling, or worse. You may know someone who can't have even one peanut without a dangerous reaction. We call this an anaphylactic reaction, meaning severe and sometimes lethal. In the mid 1900's, scientists were trying to build on the success of vaccines, also called prophylaxis, meaning to prevent. Scientists gave animals small doses of poisons to see if this would protect them against the same poisons in larger doses. The prophylaxis worked so poorly the term ana-phylaxis was coined meaning a fatal toxic reaction.
Most Common TRIGGERS for IgE Food Allergens:

Peanuts
Shellfish
Tree nuts
Soy

By in large, if you have IgE allergies, you figure this out during childhood. It usually takes repeat exposure for this kind of reaction to develop, so we are rarely reactive to a food the first time we have it. It seems that over the last few decades IgE reactions are on the rise in both the US and Canada.

IgG (think G for Gradual) allergies are very different from IgE. Along with classic allergy symptoms of itchy eyes, skin rashes and wheezing, they can cause a huge variety of other symptoms including fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, slugging metabolism (easy weight gain) and headaches. Food allergies can also worsen the severity of airborne allergies. The really rotten thing about IgG reactions is that they may not cause any symptoms for as many as 10 days after exposure. Because of this you can have symptoms for years and never see a clear cause even if you suspect food allergies as a culprit.

Most Common IgG Allergens:

Dairy foods
Egg whites
Wheat products
Almonds
Kidney beans
Soy

But any food can be an allergen. Some of the rarest foods to be allergic to are rice, buckwheat, pears, apples, turkey and pork.

Who has food allergies? Anyone with other allergic conditions such as airborne allergies, asthma or eczema, can be more at risk for food allergies. Also fairer complected people have a higher risk factor. But in reality, allergies are common in all population groups. If you have some of the IgG symptoms that are not explained by other causes, you should consider food allergies. They may be an easy solution to troubling symptoms.

How do I find out if I have food allergies? Several options exist. The most direct method is Avoidance and Reintroduction. With this program your diet is carefully structured to avoid one of the common allergens completely for three weeks. During this "time off" of a particular food, day to day symptoms are carefully logged and given scores. After this the food is reintroduced and symptoms are monitored for three more weeks. When doing this Avoidance and Reintroduction program I advise starting with the food at the top of my Most Common IgG Allergens list above and work your way down over the weeks. The list is in order of which foods are most likely to cause reactions. This method requires patience since it can be complicated and time consuming.

Medical tests also exist for food allergies, but be careful, not all tests are equally reliable! Since I know my allergies so well, I am my own guinea pig for allergy testing. Skin tests are miserable and although they can be accurate for IgE allergies they are completely inaccurate for IgG allergies. Conversely, most blood tests are poor indicators for IgE reactions but excellent in finding IgG allergies! Here's where it gets tricky, the accuracy of allergy testing can vary tremendously from lab to lab. Early on in my practice, I'd use my own blood or a consenting patient's blood, to test various labs. I would divide the samples in half and put fake names on them, in other words one person's blood with two different names. The first hoop a lab had to jump through for me was to not give two different reports on the same person's blood! Sadly, most labs did not pass this test. The second test a lab had to pass was to correctly identify the allergens and the severity of allergic responses I knew myself and other volunteers to have. Through this process, I have found the best Food Allergy labs to use, and although I've stuck with them over the years, I still keep 'testing' them!

Will eliminating reactive foods from my diet really help me? Yes! Many of my patients mention experiencing easier weight loss, better digestion, less skin irritations, and decreased aches and pains- all due to cutting out foods that their bodies do not tolerate.

Never assume you have to live with your symptoms! If you don't feel well and have not found explanations for your symptoms, the answer could be as close as your dinner plate!

The School Battleground

The schools are on the front line of an epidemic. Through their nurses they hand out billions of controlled substances to young children each year for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I hear from many school nurses who are not happy about dispensing controlled substances to children. They have asked what they can do to help slow down this epidemic. On the other side of this issue are the parents who say that their child's teacher suggests their child be tested for ADHD and treated. And some teachers are also looking for non-drug options to help their challenging students. I offer the same information and suggestions to all three groups.

The National Institutes of Health published a statement on ADHD and the drugs used to treat it. Their experts determined that there is "no valid test" for ADHD. Identifying children and adults as ADHD is strictly subjective. A teacher who expects children to sit quietly all day may wish to label many of the children as ADHD. Yet a teacher, with the same set of children, may understand that young children need to move about and do lose interest in subject matter. This teacher would think her classroom was filled with normal children without psychiatric problems.

Many of the drugs prescribed by doctors for the symptoms called ADHD are Class II Scheduled, controlled substances in the same category as cocaine. This is what the FDA has to say about Ritalin, the most common drug prescribed for ADHD symptoms:

1. Ritalin is pharmacologically similar to and has the same dependency profile as cocaine.

2. Treatment with Ritalin in childhood predisposes takers to cocaine's reinforcing effects.

3. Chronic administration of Ritalin produces tolerance and showed cross-tolerance with cocaine.

4. Ritalin abuse is neither benign nor rare and is accurately described as producing severe dependency.

Since Adderall and Dexadrine are amphetamines, the above statements should be true of them as well.

At least 95% of the children seen in my office for ADHD symptoms have never had a physical exam before a psychiatric drug was prescribed. In addition to what the FDA says about Ritalin, these are the side-effects that the manufacturers of Ritalin and the other drugs say they can cause: Increased blood pressure, heart rate, respirations and temperature, appetite suppression, weight loss, growth retardation, facial tics, central nervous system stimulation, euphoria, nervousness, irritability, agitation, psychotic episodes, violent behavior, paranoid delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behaviors, heart arrhymias, palpitations, tolerance, psychological dependency and death.

Texas, Colorado, and 46 other states have made resolutions requiring school personnel to use proven academic and/or management solutions to resolve behavior, attention and learning problems. Programs such as tutoring, vision testing, phonics, nutritional guidance, medical examinations, allergy testing and other remedies known to be effective and harmless should be recommended to parents. Here are some suggestions toward compliance with these resolutions:

1. Remove Sugar from The Diet: Sugar does affect behavior. Sugar can cause a reactive low blood sugar reaction called hypoglycemia. When the body becomes hypoglycemic, the chemical adrenaline is then released and the child feels the "fight or flight" energy surge. The pupils in the eyes dilate; the heart rate increases and the child cannot sit still. The child cannot concentrate and can become agitated. The child does not choose to act that way. It is a physiological response.

A Yale study showed that adrenaline levels in children were ten times higher than normal up to five hours after ingesting sugar. All of the children in the study had symptoms of increased adrenaline.

To treat hypoglycemia, change the child's diet. Don't let the child get hungry and eliminate refined carbohydrates, such as candy, cakes, pies and soft drinks.

2. Provide Protein Meals and Snacks Every Two Hours: Children with low blood sugar can have symptoms if they do not eat often enough also. Skipping a meal or not eating often enough can have the same disastrous results as eating sweets. Children with symptoms of hypoglycemia need to eat several small meals each day. These snacks must contain some form of protein (nuts, cheese, and meat).

A child's protein snack can be kept at the nurse's station. Nut butter sandwiches with whole grain bread, (peanut butter, almond butter, etc.) are good options for snacks because they are high in protein, fat and complex carbohydrates. Trail mix snacks contain nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Just providing protein snacks every two hours has resulted in remarkable improvement in behavior and learning.

3. Water: Continual intake of fluids helps improve the body's biochemical functions. It helps flush out toxins and assists in digestion and nutrition. To simply grab a quick drink at the water fountain does not provide an opportunity to drink enough water to quench a thirst much less to take in the required minimum for the body. Children should be allowed to keep water at their desks in order to continuously quench their thirst and obtain enough fluids to allow their young bodies to function properly.

4. Recognize Nutritional Deficiency Symptoms: Specific nutrients are needed in our body to make the biochemical processes work properly. The nutrients act as co-factors for these biochemical reactions. Their importance in learning, attention and behavior are well documented in the literature.

A. Magnesium deficiency in children is characterized by excessive fidgeting, anxious restlessness, psychomotor instability and learning difficulties in the presence of normal IQ. (Magnesium in Health and Disease, Seelig, 1980)

B. Vitamin B6, in a double blind, cross-over study published in Biological Psychiatry (Vol. 14, no.5,1979), was found to be more effective than methylphenidate (Ritalin) in a group of hyperactive children.

C. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (33, 2,1980), when thiamine deficiency was corrected, behavior improved.

D. Niacin, was found to be helpful for the symptoms of hyperactivity, poor school performance, perceptual changes and inability to maintain social relationships (Schizophrenia, 3, 1971).

E. Zinc levels in children diagnosed with ADHD were found to be significantly lower than controls (Biol.Psychiatry, 1996).

F. DMAE, a neurotransmitter precursor, has been used for years to improve behaviors, mental concentration, puzzle solving ability and organization (J.Pediatrics,1958).

G. Lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids were discovered in children who had more temper tantrums and sleep problems. (Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Deck JL, Abate ML, Watkins BA, Lipp SR, Burgess JR.

H. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62 (4):761 8).

5. Provide Time to Move Around: Physical activity is very important. Children need to take a break, get up and stretch, and get the circulation going. They have a greater physiological need to be active. When a child is fidgety and having difficulty concentrating it is time for a break. That is why recess is so important. Physical activity helps to revive energy and alertness so that the child returns to class more attentive and ready to learn. Physical play is an active form of learning. It is essential to development. It promotes gross motor skills necessary for learning. It enhances perceptual abilities through interaction and movement in a three-dimensional environment. Play reduces the tension and helps the child relax.

If the child has adrenaline on board, the physical activity will help expend it, helping to bring the body back to a calm, more chemically balanced state. A child who is having difficulty sitting still needs more time to move around, not less. Research by the American Association for the Children's Right to Play (Issue No. 55-Spring 1998 htttp://www.ipausa.org/s99newletter.htm) looked at fourth grade children on recess days, PE days, and no break days. The results found that children were significantly less fidgety and more focused on their task after having recess.

6. Remove Perfumes, Fragrances and Other Stimulants from the Classroom: Clean, non-polluted air is extremely important to the health of our children. Fragrances can affect the nervous system sending inappropriate chemical messages through the nervous system, causing learning and behavior symptoms. Visual stimulation can also affect attention and behavior. Classrooms that are too busy can have a stimulating effect on students. If the teacher wears an "interesting" outfit with lots of colors and designs, or noisy jewelry, it can distract a student who is trying to listen in class.

7. Let Students Fiddle with Something: Many children with learning difficulties are right-brain, tactile learners. Right-brain learners are people who use the right side of their brain (the creative side) for learning and processing information more than the left side. These people tend to be very creative. Tactile learners learn best with their hands. I call these right-brain/tactile-learners, "RBTL's."

"RBTL" children can be frustrated in school because schools are set up to accommodate left-brain, auditory and visual learners. "RBTL" children have difficulty learning in this type of classroom setting. Although they see and hear the information, the brain doesn't process that information through the auditory and visual senses very well. They prefer to learn and explore through their sense of touch (tactile). "RBTL" children are still going to try to learn, but because they are tactile learners, they may pick up their pencil and flip it or fiddle with something. Then they get in trouble, when all they were trying to do was learn through touch. Even though they are very bright, they very often get labeled as learning disabled or trouble-makers. Most of these children improve immediately when they are given something to hold and feel (fiddle with) while reading, listening and doing other learning activities. This helps tactile learners use their visual and auditory senses more effectively. I recommend a small smooth stone or some other quiet object that feels good to the child.

8. Use Mozart Music with Ear Phones: Researchers have discovered that people who listened to ten minutes of Mozart before taking an intelligence test scored higher than people who listened to ten minutes of relaxation instructions or who for ten minutes sat in silence. Scientists speculate that some kinds of music stimulate certain neural pathways in the brain. I recommend that my patients listen to Mozart audio tapes while studying or reading. I always recommend that these students use headphones because it blocks outside distractions. Many parents have reported that homework time is cut in half. If the teacher has given the class instructions and wants them to sit quietly and work on their own, they can put the headphones on and listen.

9. Be Aware That Allergies Affect Behavior Adversely: According to Annals of Allergy, 1993, allergies can cause learning impairment. The researchers found that the allergic child was significantly less knowledgeable than controls and that, children with allergies were less successful in school in every way. Allergies affect the brain as well as the nose eyes and lungs. A child with allergies may be unable to sit still and concentrate because of allergies, not ADHD.

10. Let the Student Help Others: Everyone has strengths in some area. Children that struggle in reading may be very creative and excel in art. Acknowledge the child's ability and provide him/her with an opportunity to help someone else work on an art project. This makes a very strong statement to that student and the rest of the class that everyone has valuable abilities. It builds self-esteem and helps to promote new skills in the other students. It also teaches each student that it is okay not to know how to do everything as successfully as someone else. It also provides opportunities to learn new skills.

I recommend that we see only the best in our children. All children want to learn and want to please us. With a balance of calm and active time, in a healthy environment, where they are well fed, with quenched thirst, and helpful tools available, they can learn in their own styles. I hope these ten steps will help arm you in the battle against the unnecessary drugging of our children.

Poisoned In The Home - Black Mold Symptoms And Treatment

Black mold is bad news for your body, and if exposed, you need to get your symptoms treated quickly. Until recently, people generally didn't believe that so many common problems were caused by black mold. But, recent research has been looking into the symptoms and treatment of black mold exposure.

The number one treatment is... you guessed it, prevention! I know, if you are suffering from exposure symptoms, it's already too late, but if you make your house a hostile alien environment for that nasty black mold, your symptoms will disappear.

There are toxic and non-toxic varieties of mold. First, let's look at ways to treat your non-toxic mold suffering.

Non-Toxic Mold

The most common black mold symptoms resemble those of a common cold, or what we usually refer to vaguely as "allergies." Since mold trouble is often associated with poor ventilation, one way to treat your stuffy nose and sinus trouble is to simply open the windows and get some fresh air. Then, after you feel better, creep around the house and find the mold and kill it.

You'll often experience these symptoms in certain parts of the house only. Your nose will tell you which part of your house is harboring the mold. If, for example, you get stuffed up when you go into the basement, you know there's a mold problem there.

There is no effective treatment to mold if you don't get rid of it. And, there is no way to get rid of mold unless you get rid of the conditions that cause the mold. Keep your house dry and well-ventilated, and check often the areas where mold is prone to grow.

Toxic Mold

Toxic mold is a different story and it is altogether more serious. Symptoms can be pretty wide-ranging. Doctors have identified at least 50 symptoms associated with black mold. Some of the most common include:

-Cold or sinus symptoms: runny nose, stuffy nose or headache

-Sore throat

-Persistent cough

-Itchy or red eyes

-Rashes or hives

-Nausea and fever

-Diarrhea

-Fatigue or general malaise

-Memory or hearing loss

-Asthma

-Shortness of breath

-Lightheadedness and dizziness

This is a pretty big list, but it's not everything. Some of these are very serious symptoms. With all of them, it's difficult to tell if the cause is mold-related or not. The proper diagnosis is essential for the proper treatment.

If you suspect there may be mold in your house, you should hire a licensed mold inspector to take samples. When you see the doctor, tell them that you believe you may have mold, and this will help them diagnose you.

These symptoms tell you that there is a toxic form of mold in your home, and your doctor may recommend a detox program. Mold spores have gotten into your respiratory system and dispatched mircotoxins throughout your body. That is why you experience such wide-ranging symptoms like memory loss or stomach trouble. Learn to stop toxic black mold from our site.

Aside from removing the cause, there are other treatments available. Your doctor may prescribe antihistimines or other nasal decongestants. These will not remove the allergy, but will provide temporary relief from symptoms. At the very least, they'll help you breath better.

If it is determined that your particular allergy is a form of asthma, your doctor will provide tougher stuff. This may include an inhaler and stronger drugs.

Severe cases may involve immunotherapy. With immunotherapy, a doctor gives you shots of a small quantity of the irritant that is causing your allergic reaction. Following the strict regiment of shots and drugs over time, your body will develop its own immunity to the allergen. Immunotherapy has shown remarkable results in the treatment of asthma and other allergies, but it is used only for particularly severe cases.

Before seeing your doctor, make sure you know in detail what is causing the allergy. You should know how much mold you've been exposed to and where in the house it is. This will help you to answer their questions so they can provide the best treatment possible.

How to Know If You Are Gluten-Intolerant

Many people suffer for years with the symptoms of gluten-intolerance, without any idea that their ill health is caused by bread, pasta, and other flour-based foods we all eat every single day.

If you suffer from symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, wind, general aches and pains, depression and even obesity - you need to check this out. Nobody should have to put up with this stuff any longer than they have to.

But *HOW* do you find out for sure?

First, the bad news. You cannot go to the doctor and get a blood test, or any other sort of test, to find out if you are gluten intolerant. The tests they provide in medical establishments are only useful for checking whether you have an *allergy*. And gluten intolerance (along with lots of other food-related problems) is not an allergy. Generally speaking, the immune system is not involved at all, so the tests can't detect it.

Another problem you might come across is that many in the medical profession (particularly in the NHS) laugh at the possibility of any problem that can't be measured, weighed, put in a test tube and filed away in a dusty filing cabinet. "Food intolerance doesn't exist," they may say, flying in the face of the many migraine-sufferers who daren't touch a chocolate bar or an orange.

But the good news is that the tide is turning. And you can test for gluten intolerance on your own, without Dr. Canute's help.

There are two methods you can use. The first involves keeping a food diary. If you are experiencing symptoms as a result of eating gluten, in 2 or 3 weeks you should be able to see a pattern emerging.

The other method, if you think that gluten is the likely cause, is to simply eliminate it from your diet for a couple of weeks, take a note of the results, then very slowly and carefully bring it back and see if anything develops.

Of the foods likely to cause problems because of intolerance, gluten is number one, with corn and milk in joint second place. So gluten is a good place to start, if you suspect your depression or arthritis, etc. is the result of food intolerance.

Cutting gluten out of your diet completely is not easy - I know, because I myself am gluten intolerant. You will need to check every packet, jar and tin in your cupboard and every label on foods you buy. You can get gluten-free products, but most of them are horrible. It's better just to decide to go without, at least for a few weeks while you test the water.

You need to avoid anything containing wheat, barley, rye or flour made from these grains. So, bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits and cookies, pizza and pies, chapatis and nan bread are all out the window. So, too are many tinned and packet foods, because they often contain hidden flour. Two other items you need to avoid are monosodium glutamate (the clue is in the name) and soya sauce, which is made from soy beans fermented with wheat.

Gluten can often appear on labels as "starch". You will find it in yogurts, ketchup, and all manner of products you never expected. You may not expect to find it in your instant coffee, for instance, but if it's a cheap brand, it may well be in there. Check the labels on *everything*, even if it can't possibly have flour in it - I mean, did you think there was flour in crab sticks or grated cheese?

And if your head is reeling, and you're wondering what you can eat, think potatoes, crisps (be careful of the flavored coating - check the label), rice and rice cakes (you can get chocolate coated ones), lentils, peas and beans - these will give you the carbohydrates you are missing from the other stuff - and to thicken your gravy and sauces, you can use arrowroot or rice flour (check the specialist shelves in the supermarket).

It may seem like a lot of work, just to find out if you have a problem, but the only way to absolutely *for certain* check for food intolerance is, first to eliminate it for a couple of weeks, and then re-introduce it a little at a time.

And if you find out using this method that you do need to cut out gluten, you will be feeling so much healthier, it won't seem a problem any more.

Happy eating!

Dust Mites and Allergies: Protect Your Home

As it relates to allergies, dust mites are major offenders for most people, causing everything from nasal congestion to sneezing, itchy eye, and more. The major problem is, they exist everywhere within the environment, and avoiding them entirely is essentially impossible. Still, there are a number of steps you can take around the house to reduce the amount of mites within your personal space.

As you have probably guessed, dust mites are very tough creatures that require very little
"food" to thrive. They prefer environments of at least seventy degrees, and they feed on microscopic organic particles such as dead human skin scales that the typical human being sheds at all times.

One of the most common places to find the organisms is in your mattress and pillow. Upholstered furniture such as carpet, drapes and couches are other places where they seem to thrive.

Another big problem with dust mites is that they can procreate at an exponential rate. If you ever got the feeling you could not eradicate the dust in your home no matter what you seem to do, you may have a thriving colony on your hands.

While you can never hope to eliminate the organisms entirely from your home, there are a number of steps you can take to decrease their numbers. If you are suffering from allergies, following these steps is vital.

First, you should protect your mattresses and pillows with official "dust mite approved" covers. You should also wash your bedding in hot water at least once every two weeks, including your pillow cases.

Next, you should remove all carpet and thick window drapes from your home. If this is not a practical option, make sure you get them cleaned professionally once a year and vacuum at minimum, once a week. Keeping your space clean is essential to preventing a dust mite invasion.

You should treat your upholstered furniture the same as you would carpet and drapes. If you have allergic children, make sure to remove carpet, drapes, stuffed animals, and other upholstered items from their room entirely.

In addition to frequent cleaning, there are other solutions you can add to your home that will help reduce the amount of dust mites in your home. HEPA air filtration systems and filters can drastically reduce the amount of dust mites in your home, as well as a UV light. Keeping the humidity in your home less than 50% and frequently changing your air filters in your central air system are absolutely vital.

Dust mites are very hard to control and impossible to completely eradicate from your home. Following the instructions listed above can reduce the amount of dust mites in your home and possibly lessen your allergic symptoms. However, allergy immunotherapy is the best recommendation for dust allergies. If you feel that you are suffering from these symptoms, consider scheduling an appointment with a local allergy clinic.

Almond Allergy - What Causes It?

Forty percent of Americans believe that they have an allergic reaction to certain foods. Of all allergies, nut allergies mainly result in deaths. At a point you probably experienced symptoms when you ate some food with almonds in it. Does that mean you are having an allergic reaction? How would you know if you are allergic to almonds? If you are having an reaction, what can you do?

Allergic reactions may be mild. This can be in the form of rash and/or watery eyes and congestion. The reaction may also be moderate such as rash and hives, itchiness and/or difficulty breathing. A severe reaction however, consists of abdominal pains, vomiting and strenuous breathing. A severe reaction to almonds may occur such as the unexpected incapability to breathe.

The symptoms of food intolerance are often confused with an allergic reaction. About two hours after consuming the food, a true allergic reaction will occur, which involves a reaction by the skin and bowels. Food intolerance, on the other hand, is a gastronomic reaction and not an immune system response. Symptoms of food intolerance include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn and headaches. A hint as little as 1/44,000th of a nut can generate an allergic effect, while intolerances involve some amount of intake to cause a response.

Foods that normally cause reactions are protein based. The body sometimes misinterpret proteins as being intruders. The immune system reacts by discharging antibodies and histamines to drive out the allergen out of the body. A grouping of locations is likely for outbreaks and do not essentially relate to the area of intake or function.

All food allergies can be hereditary, including reaction to almonds. It is mainly expected to come about during youth. Some allergies will fade away in adulthood. At any time, new allergies can emerge. Repeated experience makes allergic responses more probable. Some items crop up in many foods, which make them more liable to set off allergic reactions. Likely allergens include corn, wheat, dairy, eggs and soy.

Eliminating almonds is of vital importance. Because not all goods have items listings; and because some mask it underneath an alternate name or just simply not list it at all, trying to totally eliminate almonds can become quite complicated. Almonds applied to the skin can trigger a reaction also. It can also turn up in cosmetic products such as conditioner, shampoo and lotion. Take note of alternate titles such as Amygdalus dulcis or Prunus dulcis. There is a link in Resources that list home remedies that may be of help. Do not be discouraged because in some cases, after reducing exposure to almonds, the reaction does go away.

How to Deal With Cat Allergies

For a cat lover one of the worst things to happen is to develop an allergy to cats. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and a headache and range from merely annoying to life threatening. Unfortunately, the bad news is for severe cases, the best remedy is often to part with your feline friend. The good news is that for mild allergy cases there are methods of minimizing the discomforts so you can continue living with your cat companion.

Allergies can show up in several parts of the body. The most common indication of an allergy is with the nose irritation such as itching and sneezing. With eyes, it's redness, puffiness and itching. There can also be issues with the throat, skin and ears.

The most critical of the cat allergies involve the lungs. Symptoms include coughing and wheezing and even shortness of breath. Sometimes these are more intense while doing certain activities such as grooming your cat or changing the litter box. In cases where you can't be sure it's the cat instead of another allergen, then testing is recommended, because the allergy may not be directly caused by the cat at all. Instead you may be reacting to the particular brand of kitty litter or something else.

Despite what's commonly believed, the material causing the allergy is not simply the cat hair. Instead it's a protein that's in the dander and saliva. These are microscopic particles that become airborne, are inhaled and cause the allergic reaction.

Cat allergies are also caused by an allergen called sebum, which is a protein that the glands near the base of the tail secrete to help with the condition of the skin and coat. When it dries, the sebum flakes off. The tiny particles can cling to almost anything and remain in the area long after the cat has gone. The sebum flakes can even be transferred to other locations that don't have cats simply by tagging along on clothing.

While researchers have found some cats to be less allergic than others, there is not practical way to know which they are in advance. One important indicator, though, is hormone levels. An unaltered male cat is generally sheds the much more allergen as compared to a female cat. Once neutered, the male sheds much less.

Unfortunately, the allergens may not be present in high enough levels in kittens to trigger a reaction. So a person may buy a kitten because they didn't have any symptoms of the allergy only to have it appear much later as the as the cat ages. It's when the cats skin becomes less supple that the sebum is secreted in greater quantities when then leads to the problem.

One of the most effective treatments for cat allergies is desensitization shots. This gradually increases a persons tolerance to the allergen up to 10 times their normal level. As mentioned previously, having the cat spayed or neutered can be helpful by decreasing the allergens. Other ways to reduce the allergens in your house include using a special, extra thick, HEPA filter in your vacuum; switching to hardwood flooring instead of carpeting; keeping your cat out of your bed; and using an air filtration system.

Food Allergies and Overeating: What's The Connection?

We all have our favorite foods. For me, freshly baked bread and scones top the list. And for some of us, once we start eating these foods, we can't stop. It's as if they're calling to us. Before we know it, we've eaten the whole carton of ice cream, or polished off the entire bag of cookies. Even though we may overeat other foods, with these particular foods we feel compulsive and addicted. We've learned it's best, if we can, to keep these foods out of the house.

If you tend to feel compulsive with certain foods, there is a good chance that you may be allergic to them. When you think of allergic, you most likely think of unpleasant symptoms such as hives or rashes. But did you know that not all allergic reactions are unpleasant? You may in fact feel better after eating foods you are allergic to. This reaction is called "allergic addiction." In an attempt to soothe the irritation caused by allergic foods your body releases powerful soothing brain chemicals. And over time you can become quite addicted to these pleasurable chemicals.

So, what exactly is a food allergy? It's an unusual sensitivity to a particular food. Whenever an allergen is encountered, your immune system is activated and a flood of body substances, like histamine, will be released. These substances will expand blood vessels, causing inflammation, overproduction of mucous and discomfort. You may experience this inflammation as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, nausea or even clogged airways.

Clearly, if you felt this bad every time you ate something, you probably wouldn't eat that food anymore. But there are other unpleasant symptoms you may not associate with food allergies. These include: compulsive food cravings, water retention, irritability, foggy head, fatigue, sinus problems, headaches, bloating stomach aches, anxiety, depression and arthritis. And the list goes on.

When we continue to ingest food allergens on a regular basis we eventually tear down our immune system and disrupt our metabolism, which can result in weight gain, inflammation throughout the body and chronic disease. While many of these symptoms could be caused by conditions other than allergies, it would be wise to explore the possibility of a food allergy with your healthcare provider or by home testing.

The most common causes of food allergy are: wheat, cane sugar, dairy products, eggs, fish and shellfish, tree nuts, alcohol, berries, citrus fruits, peanuts, tomatoes, soy, yeast, food additives and pesticides. Food allergies can be a lot more challenging to identify than allergies to airborne substances like pollen. There is often a time delay in the onset of symptoms, from hours to days, making it difficult to trace the cause. And symptoms may come on slowly after many years of daily ingestion of particular foods to which you are sensitive.

Most physicians admit that conventional skins tests are unreliable for food allergies. There is a family of blood tests known as ALCAT which measure allergic response to various panels of allergens, including foods. Saliva testing can identify allergies to all gluten-containing grains and cow's milk protein. In my clinical practice, I encourage clients to home test first by monitoring symptoms and eliminating or rotating suspected foods. This is a highly effective way to identify food allergies.

By eliminating foods, rotating foods or eating troublesome foods only at widely spaced intervals, you can keep most food allergens from reaching the critical point and triggering symptoms. It's best to keep a log of foods you eat daily and any symptoms you notice immediately or within 72 hours of ingesting a food.

On an Elimination diet, you avoid the primary suspect, such as wheat or soy, in all its forms for one to four weeks (go as long as you can) to see how you feel. If it feels difficult to let go of this food from your diet, this is a good indication that you may have allergy and addiction. Once you have eliminated the food for a period of time, you eat it again, in generous portions at several meals in one day and note your symptoms. If any troublesome symptoms return, it's a good indication of an allergen.

It's best to work with one food at a time when you follow an Elimination Diet. You may have withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, cravings or headaches within the first few days off the food, but within four to five days you should be feeling better.

If you feel way too attached to foods to even consider eliminating them, the next best step is to try a Rotation Diet. The most common Rotation Diet is the Four Day Rotary Diet, where you eat the offending food only once every four days, trying to eat as little of it as possible on the fourth day. This allows the level of antibodies in your system to subside and will help reduce cravings and some of the unpleasant symptoms you experience.

When you eat a food you are allergic to several times a week, your body is never free of the food and you can never feel completely well or stop the addiction. If you feel extremely resistant to eliminating or rotating certain foods, this may be an indication of emotional issues fueling your overeating. Perhaps you're not ready yet to give up a good (or the only) source of comfort and excitement in your life, even though it's causing health problems, including weight gain. It may be time to consider working with a psychotherapist who specializes in overcoming overeating. She can gently assist you in working through the deeper seated issues that are blocking you from taking the best care of yourself. When you're feeling better about your life, it will be easier to release foods that no longer serve you.

Allergies in Dogs and Cats - Simple Solutions That Work

Allergies in dogs and cats:

When I first graduated as a vet 20 years ago, I thought I knew how to treat every disease in animals known to man. A few years in suburban practice quickly taught me the error of my thinking - and the greatest stumbling block I ever came across, was trying to treat skin allergies in dogs and cats. I quickly realized that the side effects of most of my treatments were rapidly becoming worse than the original disease itself. It was with this back ground that I was impelled to look deeper, to look for the un-seen cause of allergies.

Allergies are basically an "inappropriate" or "over-zealous" reaction of an animals' (or persons) immune system. The reaction is caused by exposure to certain chemical or organic agents, commonly referred to as "allergens". Genetics certainly play a role in pre-disposing an animal to developing allergies, but environment and nutrition will ultimately decide to what degree the allergy is expressed.

Allergies in pets fall into several different categories, but nearly all allergies have a common expression - chronic allergic skin disease (allergic dermatitis or "eczema"). Allergies can be triggered by airborne allergens (atopic dermatitis), by direct contact with the skin (contact allergy), by exposure to certain foods (food allergy), or by exposure to parasites (eg flea allergy dermatitis). The pattern of skin disease can vary widely, but subtle differences can help to determine what type of allergy is involved. The classic signs of allergy include generalized itching, feet chewing, face and muzzle rubbing, dermatitis of the inner legs, abdomen and armpits, chronic ear infections, "hot spots", and more recently, asthma in cats.

Traditional veterinary treatments for allergic skin disease have included using drugs like cortisone, anti-biotics, anti-histamines, ant-parasitic agents, and topical medicated shampoos. The good old "bucket on the head", known more professionally as an Elizabethan collar, has also been widely used to prevent self trauma. More recently, testing for known allergens has become popular, and the use of de-sensitisation (gradual exposure to diluted forms of the known allergen) has shown some success. Recognition of the role of essential fatty acids (primarily Omega 3 fatty acids), and their inclusion as a dietary additive, has also shown some promise. But on the whole, allergic skin disease is still one of the most common, and frustrating, veterinary complaints that brings pet owners to the waiting room. One unfortunate reality of allergies is that despite all the advances in modern medicine, allergies are still considered a "chronic" disease - meaning that there is no "cure" for an allergy, the best we can hope to do is "control" the expression of an allergy, and limit the use of drugs required to do so.

Understanding the Immune system:

The key to "controlling" allergies is to understand how and why they occur. As mentioned, allergies are an inappropriate immune reaction to a specific allergen - a reaction that that is not "pre-programmed" into the immune system by the core genetic code, but one that is "learned" or "accidentally" occurs. The study of the immune system (immunology) is a fascinating science, and one that has provided much of the information that is driving modern medical advances. One of the fascinating facts about the immune system, is that it works in almost the same way in all animal species- from man to fish. It is an ancient and untouched genetic code, and is designed to "protect" an animal from disease, and to assist repair.

A thorough description of how the immune system works is beyond the scope of this article, but a very simplified overview will assist in understanding allergies. In very rough terms, the immune system can be divided into 2 parts. One part is involved in making antibodies - cells that produce special proteins that are specifically designed to "recognize" specific foreign molecules (eg bacteria or viruses) which are called "antigens". The body has millions of different cells (B lymphocytes) which produce different types of antibodies which protect us from infection, and these antibodies form the basis of the practice of immunization (where we introduce non-dangerous parts of a bacteria or virus so the body can make antibodies to that particular pathogen). The second part of the immune system is known as the "innate" immune system, and it involves cells that we commonly call "white blood cells". These cells are responsible for directly destroying foreign agents, infected cells, or antibody/antigen complexes formed by the other part of the immune system. When your body is under attack by a bacteria or virus, these cells poor into the blood stream to fight off the agent, and the result is that on a blood test, you have a "high white blood cell count". As white blood cells capture and destroy these foreign particles, they actually die themselves, and the resultant protein sludge that remains is known as pus (when concentrated in a small area).

In an allergic reaction, we have an "accidental" response. Lets use the example of an inhaled grass pollen. Normally the immune system should not recognize the grass pollen as foreign or dangerous (we inhale microscopic pollens all the time during spring and summer). But in an allergic response, for some reason the immune system creates a specific antibody to the pollen. This antibody seeks out the pollen, and binds to it. Then, a particular part of the innate immune system (white blood cells known as "eosinophils") are released into the blood to capture and destroy these antibody/antigen complexes. When these eosinophils have done their job, they also "die", but as the cells burst, they release histamine - which causes intense local swelling and itching. In people, this reaction commonly occurs locally, at the location of the nose and eyes where the pollen first contacts the moist mucus membranes - and results in "hay fever symptoms" (swollen itchy eyes and nose, sneezing etc). If the reaction occurs deeper in the body, at the level of the bronchi in the lungs, it can cause "asthma". In dogs and cats, these cells actually migrate to the skin (and sometimes to the lining of the gut) where they cause an intense itching reaction which we call allergic dermatitis. When the animal itches, it breaks the skin, and allows secondary infection to occur, which further adds to the irritation - and so the cycle goes on.

The pattern of allergies is determined by the type of allergen. Some allergies are seasonal, meaning that the allergen is only in the environment for a specific time of the year - most of these are caused by plant pollens etc (called atopic allergies). Some contact allergies, like grass allergy only occur when grasses are dry and producing seed heads, and most of the signs occur on the underneath of the dog, in areas where there is no fur protecting the skin (eg groin, armpits, belly). If the allergen is present all year round, such as a food allergy (to a specific food type) or allergies to dust mites, then the signs of allergic dermatitis will be constant.

So what causes the Immune system to malfunction?:

The answer to this question is the key to solving the mystery of allergies, and unfortunately there is not one simple answer. A genetic predisposition (ie an inherited tendency) is certainly one big factor. Certain breeds of dog (eg West Highland White Terriers) are genetically predisposed to developing allergies. Staffordshire terriers are prone to contact allergies, German Shepherds are prone to food allergies and chronic ear infections etc. But in veterinary practice, we are seeing more and more dogs with allergies (probably the number one reason people go to see their vet apart from vaccination), and genetics alone cannot be the answer.

Modern immunology has now shown us that both nutrition, and environment, will affect the way our immune system functions. When we talk about environment, we really mean the "artificial" environment, and the exposure to man made chemicals. In the house, pets may be exposed to chemical cleaning agents, carpet and floor products, insect sprays, deodourisers, perfumes etc. And outside, in the garden or on a walk, there are air pollutants (eg. petrochemical fumes), weed sprays and herbicides, water pollutants (fluoride, chlorine) and a host of other "un-natural" potential allergens. And what about the products we deliberately use on our pets - shampoos, conditioners, worm tablets, flea and tick control, heartworm prevention, even the chemical stabilizers used in vaccines - all of these can act as potential "triggers" for allergies. Naturally some of these cannot be avoided, but we do need to exercise some care when we have an allergic pet. Other recognized triggers also include the huge range of chemical preservatives and colourings used in processed pet foods, some of which are now recognized as carcinogenic. Sulphur dioxide, a common preservative used in pet meat, is also a known trigger for asthma and eczema in people. It is important to remember that most of these chemical agents are "new" to the immune system (they weren't around hundreds of millions of years ago when the immune system was evolving in fish), so it is not surprising that our bodies do react to them as "foreign".

Recent studies into immunology and parasites have also revealed some startling results in this area. Dogs and cats have been evolving on earth for some 40 Million years, and for the first 39.98 Million years, they did so without interference from man. Their bodies had developed a natural balance between intestinal and topical parasites, which was controlled by their immune system. The part of the immune system that controls parasites, are the same cells (eosinophils) that are involved in allergies. When these eosinophils react at the gut level, the release of histamine actually causes swelling and increased motility, which aids the elimination of gut parasites (worms). At the skin level, the release of histamines causes itching, which in turn, aids the removal of fleas. This process has kept the natural balance of parasites in check for millions of years. With the advent of modern chemical worming tablets and the widespread adoption of 3 monthly worming programs, intestinal worms have become a thing of the past. To further add to this, modern "all in one" topical preparations that control topical parasites and heartworm, also kill the majority of intestinal worms, but on a monthly basis. Whilst this may at first appear to be a great thing for our pets (and don't get me wrong, these products are very useful), we have now reached a position where our pets can be completely "sterile" of all parasites.

What modern immunology has discovered however, is that when the body is sterile of parasites, the part of the immune system that has evolved over millions of years to control them, the eosinophils, is now left without a job to do - and as a result, there are now large numbers of these cells available to react to "allergens". What this means is that the effect of an allergic reaction in pets that have no parasites to control, is actually far more intense, than in a pet where these cells are actually doing the job they were designed to do. In short, dogs and cats that are "sterile" are far more prone to having serious allergic skin disease.

And what of nutrition? How does what we eat, or what we feed our pets', affect the immune system? Most people nowadays do accept that what we eat will affect our overall health and longevity, but what we may not realize is, that it affects our health by affecting our immune system. In simple terms, the better your immune system works, the better your every day health will be, and the longer you will live (excluding bad luck). Modern nutrition recognizes that there are 76 known macro and micro nutrients required for perfect health. Simply put, your immune system needs all 76 elements to function perfectly. What we also now understand, is that our bodies (and that of your pets') do not exist in a "sterile" environment. The intestinal tract requires the presence of pro-biotic bacteria (often termed "good" bacteria) - names like acidophilus (the bacteria found in natural yogurt) are now commonly recognized as being healthy. Our pets also have their own population of good bacteria, and they are also essential for good health. It is the combination of a diet that provides all the necessary nutrients, combined with an intestinal tract full of pro-biotics, which allows our body to absorb the nutritional value. And this ultimately ensures that the immune system receives all 76 of the elements required for it to function at its optimum.

Unfortunately, for both humans and pets, the supply of good, healthy food is no longer as simple as it used to be. Just two hundred years ago, people ate good quality fresh food. Produce was grown organically, harvested and eaten. There was little in the way of processing or preserving, and the soils that were used to grow crops, fruit, or livestock, were healthy and nutrient rich. Compare that to today, when an apple bought from the supermarket may be 9 months old before you eat it, and it has been grown entirely on artificial fertilizers and sprayed with chemicals, or the fact that the vitamin C content of a supermarket orange has fallen to 2% of what it was the day it was picked, and we see it is not so hard to understand what has gone wrong. If you add to that the processing and preservatives used to extend shelf life, and the over-abundance of sugars and salts included in processed food and drinks, we start to see an insidious pattern of modern day "malnutrition" emerging.

But don't think that you pet has been spared this reality. For the past 40 Million years, dogs and cats ate a healthy diet of wild prey, raw, uncooked and unprocessed, supplying not only the necessary probiotic bacteria for gut health, but also the complete 76 nutrients for perfect health. But in modern society, we now know better, and pets' are fed on man's waste! On the whole, processed pet foods are made from in-edible carcass remains (made into meat meal and meat by-products), cheap sources of bulk carbohydrate and vegetable matter, sugar, salt, flavours, and preservatives. Add to this a cocktail of about 25 + chemically derived essential vitamins and minerals (a commercially available product which guarantees a pet food will meet AAFCO nutritional standards). Then finally, mix all this into biscuits, cook at high temperatures (> 260'C for import into Australia), and then spray with liver digest and fat (so your pet will actually eat it) - this is what has replaced the natural diet of dogs and cats.

Modern pet foods are sterile (they provide no pro-biotic bacteria) and they certainly do not provide the body with the 76 nutrients required for optimal health, no matter how much they cost, or what they say on the pack. Sure, there are much better ones, and much worse ones, but collectively, they are contributing to the same "modern day malnutrition" that is affecting western society. We are slowly turning our pets into "junk foodies".

So back to allergies, how is all this causing allergies in pets? It is quite simple. The way immune cells react is actually influenced by a wide range of nutritional factors, many of which modern science is yet to fully understand. We do know that if an animal's diet is deficient in Omega 3 essential fatty acids, the immune system will react in a more inflammatory way, producing more histamine release and a greater "allergic" tendency, than compared to an animal that has an adequate dietary intake of Omega 3 fats. We also know that omega 3 fats are commonly deficient in processed pet foods, or are easily oxidized and rendered useless, by the processing and handling of dry and tinned pet food. And this is but one of the 76 elements that can affect the immune system. When we combine this type of deficiency, with other mal-nutritional factors caused by poor dietary ingredients and processing,a pattern emerges. Add the loss of pro-biotic bacteria, and the sterile gut caused by over zealous parasite control, and we have a "pro-allergic" state in the animal's immune system - which is just waiting to react.

So whereas the "healthy" body may have shown just a mild reaction to an allergen (say flea saliva from a flea bite) we suddenly have a massive over-reaction to the introduction of a normally mild allergen - with wide scale release of histamine and intense itching and chewing (and we end up with a dog with "hot spots"). If we combine all this with a living environment full of modern chemical agents and potential "triggers" (and in the food we feed our pets), then it is not hard to understand why we are seeing such an "epidemic" of allergies in pets, and in people.

So what can we do?;

Certainly I do not profess to have all the answers to treating allergies, but there are some basic guidelines that I follow in practice, that consistently lead to effective, positive results in pets that have allergies.

1. To best supply the necessary pro-biotics and 76 elements, change you pet onto a natural, raw, balanced and unprocessed diet, using fresh meats and produce that has not been treated with chemical preservatives (avoid sulphur dioxide = preservative 220, 221, 222 etc). Choose a meat source that your pet is not likely to have had regular access to (eg kangaroo meat, or tripe) - avoid chicken and beef. And stick to a simple carbohydrate, like rolled oats or brown rice. Eg. Vets All Natural Premium Choice, or Complete Mix

2. Add the following daily supplements - a dose of pro-biotics (eg Protexin), an all natural multivitamin and mineral supplement, an Omega 3 fatty acid supplement such as Flax Seed oil or Fish oil (fish oil is better for cats). Eg. Vets All Natural Health Booster and Omega Blend Oil.

3. When using parasite control, try to use products that only affect the parasite you are targeting. Eg, use a product that only kills fleas if you have a flea problem, or a product that only kills heartworm larvae, and not one that also kills intestinal worms. For regular worming, consider having a fecal test done to see if there are worms present at large numbers (much like we do for horses and other stock animals) rather than just treating every 3 months. Pets can tolerate low numbers of worms naturally.

And if these changes alone are not fixing the problem, try:

• Consider using rain water for drinking rather than chlorinated and fluoride treated tap water.
• Make whatever adjustments to your home and backyard environment that are feasible - try and avoid using harsh chemical sprays or cleaning agents
• When an animals skin is inflamed, avoid using shampoos and medicated washes, they often provide only temporary relief, and may actually be "contributing" to the ongoing cycle.

My experience, gained over the last 15 years in practice, has shown me that more than 70% of allergic pets can be maintained on a drug free regime if they follow these guidelines. The ultimate goal is to get your pet off all ongoing medications and treatments (especially cortisone) - even if they have the occasional itch.

What is Chronic Hives (Urticaria)?

Chronic hives or urticaria, are the toughest hives to diagnose. Like all hives, persistent hives are batches of raised red and white itching sores. These sores can be varied sizes and they even group together in a some cases. When they group together, they form areas that are called plaques.

Most of the people experience acute or physical urticaria (hives), which are less difficult to diagnose and easier to treat. However many are less fortunate these are the people who unfortunately suffer with the chronic version of the skin condition.

Chronic hives, or urticaria, is normally categorized as being hives that last for longer than 6 weeks, this does not necessarily mean the condition is constantly apparent although this can happen. In most chronic cases of hives the suffer will experience repeated attacks of the skin condition which might last weeks or even years.

This is a persistent issue that many people have to deal with. Testing for someone with chronic hives can be a laborious process often without the desired results. A chronic sufferer might need to subject themselves to several tests which might include basic allergy testing such as scratch tests right through to blood screening and stool samples which might help identify parasites.

In rare cases, the chronic condition can be linked to more serious underlying issues such as lupus, thyroid illness or some other type of autoimmune disorder. These latter problems are why it's so vital to work out what's causing an individual's persistent hives. As with idiopathic angioedema, someone who is experiencing reoccurring hives should see a professional if only to discount more serious underlying issues.

One good way to try and detect the offending allergen is through an elimination. An elimination diet will often be a great help finding any food or food additive which might be to blame.

Airborne allergen particles are often the reason behind an allergic conditions. A skin test will often show what allergen particles someone has come into contact with lately.

ADD and Allergies - Is There a Link?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders in the United States and is typically a life long problem. Children with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships, poor performance in school, focus and attention problems, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity.

If your child has more than 3 of these symptoms, allergies could be the culprit.

• Inattention


• Easily Distracted


• Difficulty focusing


• Become bored, especially if it's something they don't like.


• Difficulty focusing.


• Organizational skills are usually lacking and learning new things can be a challenge.


• Poor followthrough. Not finishing homework assignments, losing homework and misplacing items are typical.


• Doesn't seem like they are listening when spoken to.


• Daydream


• Problems following directions, becomes confused easily.


• Can't sit still.


• Constantly talking


• Must touch everything in sight.


• Have trouble sitting still in school, at dinner or on the bus.


• Is constantly in motion.


• Problems with quiet time.


• Impatient


• Blurts out inappropriate comments, shows emotions without restraint and act without regard to consequences


• Have difficulty waiting for a reward or waiting in line.


• Often interrupt conversations.

Why is ADD under-reported?

Because children may sit quietly and may not be paying attention to what they are doing, the child can be overlooked, parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD.

Could food allergies have an effect on your child's behavior?

That's the word from doctors at Long Island College Hospital in New York City, who presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Denver.

The study involved 20 children between the ages of 5 and 18, all of whom had been diagnosed with ADHD. But only two had been evaluated for allergy problems, even though all had a family history.

The researchers screened the children for allergic rhinitis, using not only a focused personal and family history, but also blood and other types of allergy testing for mold, cockroaches, dogs, cats, feathers, ragweed, trees and grass.

The results? Eight of the children (40 percent) were diagnosed with asthma or atopic dermatitis, three (23 percent) with allergic rhinitis, and nine (69 percent) had at least one positive allergy test. Fifteen of the 20 also had a history of at least two allergic symptoms.

Based on those findings, the researchers concluded that a high percentage of children with ADHD may also harbor allergies.

The authors suggest all children diagnosed with ADHD should also be tested for seasonal and environmental allergies and that treatment might improve their overall behavior and symptoms.

Many parents will acknowledge that too much soda and candy makes their kids bounce off the walls on a sugar high, but what if a child's persistent hyperactivity was caused by tomatoes, eggs, gluten or some other seemingly innocuous food?

That is what a Dutch study published found. In kids with ADHD, researchers found that putting them on a restrictive diet to eliminate possible, previously unknown food allergies or sensitivities decreased hyperactivity for 64 percent of kids.

It isn't the first time researchers have tried to link ADHD to things kids eat, such as sugar, food dyes or other preservatives, but even with this recent study, pediatricians remain skeptical of a true connection between diet and hyperactivity disorders.

A study published today in the Journal of Pediatrics says that one type of pesticide commonly used on fruits and vegetables may be contributing to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.

Researchers took urine from over 1,000 participants ages 8 to 15 and analyzed it for pesticides. 119 of the children had symptoms of ADHD. Those with the highest concentration of pesticides were more likely to have the disorder, according to the study.

"It's consistent with other studies that have looked at organophosphate pesticides and have found that exposure of children to organophosphates in early life can cause brain injury. This study builds on those other studies," said Dr. Philip Landrigan, chairman of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

If there is a link between allergies and behavior problems, if we are able to eliminate allergies from these children, would it be possible to improve behavior, concentration and offer these kids a more normal life. That's the opinion of Dr. Ynge Ljung who has created a home allergy treatment that addresses what is believed to contribute to this disorder.

The Allergy Kit, as it is called, not only treats most food allergies, but also treats herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, vaccines and childhood vaccinations. Milk, sugar and gluten are also believed to contribute to ADD and is also treated in The Allergy Kit using natural allergy remedies.

Do yourself and your child a favor and check out the newest natural allergy treatment and get your life back and bring peace back to your family. It's fast, easy, safe and permanent.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis - Food Allergies and Using an Elimination Diet and Symptom Diary

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition of the esophagus or feeding tube that is characterized by the abnormal presence of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions) in the lining of the esophagus. Eosinophils are thought to migrate to the esophagus in response to foods that trigger an allergic response. The most common foods reported are milk, egg, soy, corn, wheat, beef, chicken, potato, oats, peanuts, turkey, barley, pork, rice, green beans, apples, pineapple, tree nuts and seafood.

Interestingly these very foods cause the majority of food allergies and food sensitivities or intolerance and are foods that contain many of the lectins that are suspected of causing problems in the gut, joints, skin and the brain. Restriction of these foods frequently improve symptoms in the gut and outside the gut in many people. If specific foods identified by allergy testing can be avoided improvement is usually noted. However, the symptoms and signs of eosinophilic esophagitis frequently, if not usually, return after stopping steroids unless accompanied by dietary manipulation that includes elimination of problem foods.

When food allergy testing is negative or equivocal, elimination diet may be the only way to determine what food or foods may be causing ongoing or recurrent eosinophilic esophagitis. Strict elimination diet has been most effective but is difficult to follow long term for most adults and children. More recently, Kagalwalla published success with a six food elimination diet (SFED) in children with eosinophilic esophagitis. The SFED restricted foods from six of the most common food allergens. The SFED eliminated cow's milk protein (casein), soy, wheat, egg, peanut/tree nuts, and seafood. This SFED was compared with an elemental diet (ELED), that consists of proteins broken down into simple forms in a liquid, such as what protein intolerant infants are fed. Such a diet is expensive, tastes poor and is not well received.

In this particular study it was noted that though the SFED was not quite as effective (74% versus 88% achieving significant improvement), the six food elimination diet has better acceptance, cost and likelihood of people complying with the diet. I would point out that the SFED is actually not a six food elimination diet. Not only are more than six food categories eliminated (peanuts are legumes and separate from tree nuts) but much more than six foods are eliminated considering there a multiple nuts and seafood. Processed foods containing any known or suspected foods must also be eliminated during an elimination diet.

The helpfulness of a diet symptom diary prior to an elimination diet is that sometimes it is difficult to identify problem foods and relate their elimination and re-introduction to various symptoms. Various simple diet diaries exist in print form and online formats that can be printed out to record manually foods eaten and symptoms noted. However, an online diet diary that provides an ongoing tracking of diet and symptoms as well as feedback does not exist, especially those customized according to an individual's health history.

Allergies - Food Sensitivities a Real Cause of Disease, Pain, and Poor Quality of Life

Allergies are on the rise in our society. 1 in 3 people have allergies. You may know people who have severe allergies. These allergies can cause an anaphylactic shock. Putting this person in an intense emergency situation. There are more and more kids these days with allergies than 10 years ago. These are the allergies that are being found.

There are also many allergies that go undetected. Many people when you talk about allergies testing they talk about the pin pricking to get a response. This is very affective for IgE mediated responses. There are other allergies that are not as easy to find. This allergy testing is called IgG mediated response testing.

This type of allergy testing differs because it is looking at the slower response of the immune system. The body responds quickly to some allergens and slowly to others. Because it is slower it is harder to know if there is a problem. Although, it is harder to recognize because it doesn't seem as severe, it causes a host of issues. These issues build over time and create havoc down the road.

There is a popular trend around food sensitivities. Gluten intolerance, and gluten free diets seem to have hit the supermarkets. I even saw cooking oil that was claiming gluten free. Although it seems like a trend, to the people with this condition it is a lifestyle change that is saving them from much pain and suffering.

A 19 year-old student was having headaches, pain in the joints, and moodiness. She went to many specialists and was tested. Her symptoms looked like arthritis, lupus, and gastroenteritis. She was young and giving up. Finally, she was tested for gluten and found that she was gluten intolerant. There was a huge lifestyle change. No more breads or pastas. Gluten is in almost everything.

She changed her lifestyle and got her quality of life back. Her pain was gone, her headaches disappeared, and she could finally think again. Her mood improved. She felt like a new person.

It is important to know where the cause is coming from.

Another great story is of an older lady who was having migraines almost everyday. These were happening ever since she had a heart attack a few months back. After, going to many doctors she was tested for food sensitivities. The test came back and showed she was allergic to almonds. Not a lot showed on her test.

She was thrilled. She said ever since her heart attack her doctor told her to eat almonds because they were good for her heart. Almonds are great for most of us, but not for her. She stopped taking them and the migraines stopped.

It is so interesting to see that something we all know is good for us can be detrimental to our health.

Why do food allergies cause problems?

The real culprit to the pain and destruction of the body is inflammation. Inflammation is the cause of most disease. The real mystery is to find out what piece of the puzzle is causing the inflammation.

Allergens can cause a tremendous amount of inflammation in the body. This inflammation can get into the organ systems, tissues and the brain and cause many different diseases.

If inflammation were the cause of disease it would be imperative to eliminate all causes of inflammation.

Allergy, Sinusitis, Asthma Is Increasing - Fight Back!

The bad news is that the numbers of persons with allergies is increasing. With this increase comes the complications of asthma, sinusitis, sinus headaches and bad sleep.

Recently Quest Diagnostics announced that there is a 15% increase in Ragweed Allergy over the past four years. This company does allergy diagnostic testing from blood samples. They examined some 2 million samples and concluded that ragweed allergy is significantly increasing. Based on their blood sampling, there is a six percent increase in overall incidence of allergies.

Worst increases occurred in California, Nevada and Arizona. Here, over the four year period, the number of ragweed sufferers increased by a whopping 21% This is of particular importance because in the 50's and 60's patients were advised to move to these states to escape ragweed in the North Eastern U.S. When I practiced in Washington D.C., I advised patients to move to Arizona for their allergy. I personally moved to Los Angeles from Washington to escape that pollen area.

The US Dept of Agriculture, according to Lewis Ziska, has reported a 12% increase in fungal spore growth. They note that the ragweed season has increased by one month since 1995. For example in New York City area it has now gone from 90 to 105 days.

You used to be able to plan vacations away from the ragweed, using data from previous years. Unfortunately with the unusual weather we are experiencing in 2011 that is no longer an easy option. Nevertheless keeping an accurate symptom calendar to match with the pollen calendar is essential in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis. If the severity of your allergy symptoms correlates with the severity of the pollen count, that gives you an accurate diagnosis without blood or skin tests.

Immunization injections still remain effective for most allergens. Immunization by injection is gradually being replaced by oral drops placed under the tongue. This is called SLIT desensitization - stands for sublingual immunotherapy. Here drops are placed under the tongue where they are absorbed. Once absorbed they act like the injection.

Ragweed is a weed that releases its pollen about mid-August. (Trees pollinate in spring and grasses in the summer.) Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, skin and throat. Associated with ragweed pollen is allergy to fresh fruits such as bananas, cucumbers, melons and zucchini. This is why I have patients avoid fresh fruit and vegetables during this period. (Note: you can eat these cooked or processed for cans, because that breaks down the allergy molecule.) During allergy season you need to avoid hot spices with your food. These can add to the amount of histamine in your body. Ragweed sufferers welcome the first frost as that usually ends the ragweed season.

Therapy:
Which method of treatment is best? Pills, cortisone nasal spray, or allergy sprays? Unfortunately it is difficult to predict if Claritin or Zyrtec will give you better relief that Flonase or Nasonex. If Claritin works, usually that is the least expensive. Some expensive allergy type nasal sprays such as Astepro may work when pills fail. The advantage of the nasal sprays is that they are localized to the nose whereas pills go to the entire body. Benadryl is a common antihistamine that has the advantage of making you sleepy. Don't bring pollen into the house. Change outside clothing and shower, include washing your hair. Pets bring pollen into the house and need to be washed too.

Body Thermostat
When you have ragweed, your normal body thermostat erroneously has you sneeze and hack in order to adjust your body temperature. It is important to avoid getting chilled. Have hot tea before arising out of bed to avoid morning symptoms. Carry a jacket to avoid chilling when going in and out of air-conditioned buildings. Think of allergy like arithmetic: Pollen plus perfumed lipstick plus getting chilled, plus fatigue, plus eating spicy foods equals symptoms. If you reduce some of the arithmetic, you can reduce your symptoms.

Air Conditioning
Whenever possible use air conditioning because that is filtered air. Especially while driving. Driving open air can multiply the number of pollen particles that enter your nose, and therefore increase your symptoms. Do not drive in a convertible if at all possible. Avoid driving behind a diesel bus or truck.

Windows closed
Plants pollinate, approximately at 5 AM and 5 PM. This is when your bedroom windows need to be closed.

Bedroom
The bedroom is the most important place to do allergy prevention. The goal is NOT to provide a filter sufficient to take care of the dust and pollen. The goal is to reduce quantity of dust- no wall-to-wall carpet, no drapes or hangings that can give off dust. Use glass or plastic curtains. Ideally allergen free pillows and mattresses. No matter what you do, if the humidity is over 50% you will get mold so do watch that level. Pets? Keep them out of the bedroom. If your filter is too noisy you can run it during the day and turn it off at night. Further details can be obtained by calling allergy specialty companies such as Allergy Buyers Club. 1-888-236-7231

Start pills before season
Current thinking is that you should start allergy pills/nasal sprays before the season actually starts. This is a significant departure from the concept of only taking pills when you are symptomatic. However the literature indicates that patients do best is they begin medication before the season, roughly three weeks before.

Avoid sinusitis
Infection with an allergy is common. This is because, with persistent allergy symptoms, say sneezing non-stop three weeks, then the nasal cilia slow down and no longer move bacteria and pollen out of the nose adequately. Restoring the tired cilia is the key:

Good sleep
Humming "ooooommmm"
Exercise
Pulsatile irrigation at a frequency harmonious to normal cilia frequency of pulsation
Avoid reinfection with devices that have flowback. These get contaminated when the squeeze bottles suck back in.
Increase intake of hot tea, lemon and honey.

Avoid asthma
Under the unified field theory, the nose, sinuses and lungs are part of the same embryonic system. With nasal allergy, it is not best to be macho and ignore nasal allergy. The allergy symptoms need to be reduced or eliminated, not just for symptomatic relief, but to avoid complications that could affect the lungs or sinus cavities.

Health Problems? An Air Quality Test Kit May Offer Some Answers

If you have health problems, especially any kind of respiratory issues, an air test kit can give you some clear-cut information about your indoor air quality and help you determine if you need air purification / air purifiers or not. The majority of homes and offices typically have a variety of pollutants floating around that cause all kinds of health problems, some as obvious as colds, allergies, asthma, etc., and other problems that most people would not think are related to air quality, such as nervous system disorders, migraines, heart disease, even cancer.

If you live in an old house, or an apartment / house / building that has been flooded or had any kind of leak/water damage, you're almost certainly at risk for mold / bacteria. And, if you have small children or babies, or if you're pregnant / nursing, young/developing immune systems / health could be at risk. Mold is particularly serious as it can cause nervous system and organ damage.

Pollutants like mold spores, dust, dust mite/dust mite parts, pollen, fabric fibers, pet dander, all cause varying degrees of reactions in the human body. When you breathe enough of these air pollutants on a regular basis, allergy, asthma or other respiratory symptoms can easily surface, and untreated, can lead to infections, as dust / dander / fibers all carry some bacteria / viruses along with them. Other air pollutants like mold, arsenic, lead, asbestos, radon, even smoke, are sometimes silent killers, often leading to unexplained chronic illness, not knowing that it's something in the air you've been breathing.

The good news is that simple indoor air quality test kits can often shine a light on this situation and let you know what needs to be done to improve your indoor air quality, and your health! But keep in mind that many 'DIY' or 'Do It Yourself' air quality test kits are commonly available now, but not all air test kits are the same. The last thing you want is inaccurate results from a non-accredited lab, slow results, hard to read lab results. Think about it: if you get the clear results from your air quality test, it could very well improve your quality of life. If you get the wrong or inaccurate information, it may do nothing to help or send you in the wrong direction.

As for brands, we only recommend BHC air quality test kits because they are proven and used worldwide for quality air quality tests at an affordable price, with easy to use test kits you can use at home, and fast, accurate results from an accredited lab. BHC air quality test kits consists of a simple test strip that is exposed to the air or rubbed on a wall in your apartment, home, or office, and then closed / sent postage paid to an accredited laboratory for results in just a few days. Fast, simple, and effective.

We hope this information helps you find answers to any health problems you may be experiencing. As with any health concern, be sure to discuss with your health provider / physician before making any decisions or starting a treatment program.

Liver Problems - What are the Symptoms?

Liver problems can range from mild liver congestion to a serious liver disease. Depending on the problem, many people are unaware they have a liver problem and may only have vague symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is chronic tiredness. These people generally feel lethargic and sluggish during the day, especially in the morning.

Due to the fact that the liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body and has many roles, there are a number of problems that can occur with the liver. The three main categories these problems fall into are:

1. Disease of the liver cells

2. Problems producing or secreting bile

3. Problems with detoxification

How do you know if you have a liver problem?

Tests are available through standard pathology labs that measure liver enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin. Although these tests are called liver 'function' tests, they indicate whether the liver is damaged rather than how it is functioning. In other words, they are used to detect liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis as well as liver cells being damaged from viruses, bacteria, alcohol, drugs and so on. These tests are not useful in detecting mild problems with liver congestion and sluggish detoxification. This is best done by observing your symptoms. However, it is important to consult your practitioner and have the tests performed anyway, just to rule out the possibility of liver disease.

An ultrasound can detect if there is a blockage in the bile duct. This is most commonly caused by the presence of gallstones in the biliary duct. It is estimated that around 10-20% of people over 40 years of age have gallstones and their presence is linked to a high fat, low fibre diet. The presence of gallstones in the bile duct typically causes nausea and pain. Bile flow can also be impaired through the liver, however this can be difficult to detect with standard testing.

General symptoms that can indicate a liver problem

Feel tired and unrefreshed when you wake up

Energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, with your tiredness becoming worse around mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon

Difficulty losing weight

Frequent headaches

Bad breath, digestive problems, bloating, gas, indigestion

Allergies and intolerances to foods that are worsening as time goes on

Reactions to many chemicals including cleaning products, petrol, paint, perfumes, bleaches, etc.

Problems digesting fatty/creamy/oily foods. They can make you feel unwell, nauseous or cause heart burn and reflux

A yellowish tinge to the skin, eyes and palms of the hands

Reactions to drugs, in particular headache tablets, antibiotics and anti-histamines

An intolerance to alcohol. Either you get drunk very quickly or you have bad hangovers that are out of proportion to the amount of alcohol you have drunk

Caffeine gives you a strong buzz and can keep you awake for hours

When you eat asparagus, you have a funny smell in your urine

Skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, general rashes, itchy skin

Hot flushes that feel as if they rise up from the torso towards the head

You frequently wake up around 1-3am in the morning

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.

Asthma and Allergies - Is Vikane Termite Fumigation For You?

Termite Fumigation can cause some serious problems for certain individuals with Asthma and Allergies. Vikane is the usual chemical treatment method for dry wood termite problems. It is a gas that is used in relation to tenting homes for termites. What this means it that your entire home will be sealed under a covering that looks like a tent. Then they pump Vikane Gas aka Sulfuryl Fluoride inside and circulate it with fans for one day. The next day, the tent is taken off, and the house is aired out till the Vikane Gas is at safe levels to enter. It is safe to go back inside by the third day. Usually people worry themselves about termite fumigation and think that the gas will stick to furniture and counter tops, but the truth is none of this happens with Sulfuryl Fluoride Gas and it has been proven that after the house has been aired, the little amount of gas that remains is completely safe for human breathing.

The preceding statement is what the Termite Industry would have you believe is the total truth. I have had several clients who have severe allergies who could not go into a Sulfuryl Fluoride Gas fumigated house for over two months because they started having allergy problems as soon as they walked into the house. Most people who have allergies are very sensitive to this gas and must be very careful to avoid it till it totally dissipates in the home. Two months is the longest I have seen in 15 years but I am sure there is the exception.

Is there any way to rid your house of dry-wood termites other than fumigation? There are safer methods of killing Termites than using Sulfuryl Fluoride Gas. The methodology is the same, they tent the house, then they pump heat in instead of Vikane. This is a much safer alternative and you can go into the house the same day they remove the tent over the house. This heat treatment works good, it does have its problems but is safer than Sulfuryl Fluoride Gas which is toxic to people. The good thing is that the cost is about the same.

In conclusion, Termite Fumigation has serious problems for some individuals with Asthma and Allergies. I have personally known several individuals who were allergic to Vikane Gas residuals in homes up to two months after it was fumigated. There are safer alternatives such as Heat Treatments for Termites. The cost is similar in both cases. It is important that you check out all the alternatives before you make up your mind. Talk to the Professionals of both types of treatments and get the right answers for your case. If you feel that you have been affected by Vikane Gas, consult with your Doctor immediately.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us or visit our website.

Ways To Treat Allergies - 5 Steps To Take To Minimize Allergy Symptoms

Managing allergies is something that you will have to do until there is finally a cure. But until then here are 5 proactive ways to keep your quality of life high and the allergen levels low.

Clean Up The House---Allergies are one more reason to do this regularly. Clutter and piles are great places for particles to settle. And they do. Even those without allergies are more likely to sneeze and cough when cleaning. That's because movement increases air currents which stir particles back into the air.

By removing piles and minimizing knick knacks you can drastically reduce the number of places particles can settle. This means you are able to clean more thoroughly and really reduce the number of allergens in your indoor air.

Keep humidity and temperatures moderate---Dust mites, and mold and mildew spores are frequent indoor allergens. They all thrive in warm temperatures and need moisture to survive. Limiting the moisture under sinks, in the basement and garage can really help to reduce the places where these allergens can thrive. Keeping indoor temperature cooler (60 degree range) in the winter will also help reduce allergens as well as the energy bill.

In the summer using air conditioning will take moisture out of the air. A dehumidifier can help spaces that are not air conditioned or heated..

Identify Triggers And Avoid Them---Being knowledgeable about what your triggers are, where and when they are most common is a huge step towards a manageable solution. Being aware of when, where, and what you are doing when there is an increase in symptoms will help you pinpoint the likely irritant on your own.

Time of day and time of year are also important to notice. Writing your observations down in a place where you can refer to them will hopefully help you notice patterns about symptoms.

A more reliable way to discover your triggers is to have allergy testing done. They inject small amounts of common allergens with a small needle then watch to see a reaction on the skin. They also keep close watch to prevent an extreme reaction that would require medical attention.

Once you are aware of the triggers you can then decide to have shots that will help desensitize your immune system. This is definitely not a quick fix for the problem, but many people experience noticeable relief that makes it worth it.

Take Advantage Of Quick Acting Medicine---Since there is no cure for allergies being prepared is the next best thing. If you know you are going to have to be outside at a time when your most potent allergen is just waiting to be inhaled by you, or if you're visiting a friend whose warm-blooded pet makes you sneeze check with your local pharmacist for a recommendation about over-the-counter medications that can help.

These are fast-acting but short-lived medications that can drastically reduce symptoms that would normally make you feel anywhere from uncomfortable to unable to stay, got to go. They are effective, cheap, and cause minimal side effects.

Make sure you have the most effective medicine available wherever you go. Keep it in your car, by the bed, in your bag, or in your pocket.. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Filter Your Air---Most allergy symptoms result from sensitivity to multiple triggers found both inside your home and outdoors. A high efficiency particle arresting filter is designed to remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particles that are.3 microns or smaller.

This type of filtration is safe and effective. It produces zero ozone and zero ionized particles, both of which remain controversial in terms of their effect on health.

Food Allergy Or Intolerance?

It is far from unusual nowadays to hear someone say 'I can't eat wheat' or 'I have problems if I eat dairy', or one of a myriad other foodstuffs. Both food intolerance and food allergies are on the increase, and can have a major impact on your quality of life should you be unfortunate enough to suffer from them.

First, let's get the semantics out of the way. Allergy produces an almost immediate response and can be life-threatening - airways swell, tissues swell, blood pressure drops and the person goes into what is called anaphylactic shock. Some of the more common trigger foods for this are nuts and seafood.

The severity of this response is due to an immune system malfunction which causes the body to produce antibodies against a certain type of food. Whenever this food is eaten, it immediately triggers a reaction. The more exposure to the allergen there is, the more severe the reaction becomes. So initially, eating a peanut may cause a low level reaction, but each subsequent time the reaction becomes more severe until it is life threatening without medical intervention. The only response to this is to completely avoid the trigger food.

Food intolerance produces much more low level symptoms, although they can severely impact on quality of life. Health problems can range from catarrh, sinus problems, digestive upset, rash or skin problems, fatigue and hives to hyperactivity, migraines, eczema, asthma and even joint pain. It is usually a delayed reaction, which means it is difficult to pinpoint to any one food easily.

As symptoms are often minor and wide ranging, and despite a battery of tests the doctor doesn't find any physical disorder to explain them, the problem is often labeled psychosomatic.

Intolerance usually comes about in response to a number of factors including a weakened body system generally, due to poor nutritional status or ill health, or over-exposure to a foodstuff to chemical toxins in our environment. It is almost always commonly eaten foods which are the cause of the problem - the most common being wheat and milk in the West, although almost any food can produce intolerance.

The general pattern of food intolerance often begins with a problem with some commonly eaten food. As things progress, new sensitivities and new symptoms appear, to less commonly eaten foods. If the problem is left unaddressed as many as 20 or 30 foods may become problematic over the years.

At one time the best way of ascertaining an intolerance was by undertaking an elimination diet, where all commonly eaten foods are excluded for a period of time and then gradually re-introduced to see if they provoke a response. This can be time consuming and difficult to maintain.

Nowadays, many people are turning to a form of intolerance testing called electro-dermal testing, which has its roots in the theories of quantum physics. Everything has a defined energetic signal, and by forming a circuit and passing the energetic signals of a range of foodstuffs through the client's own energy field it is easy to see what, if anything, is going to cause an imbalance. A report is produced, giving immediate results.

If any foods are found to be problematic, by excluding those foods for a few months from the diet, whilst also working to build up the underlying system weaknesses that have contributed to the intolerance, it is often possible to re-introduce the foods to the diet at a later stage. So, unlike food allergy, an intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods need not be a lifetime sentence!

Other factors which might be causing an intolerance reaction can be environmental. We are exposed to a wide range of pollens, chemicals and other xeno-toxins which can all cause problems in sensitive individuals. Indeed, our exposure to chemical toxins nowadays is huge, and it is believed this toxicity underlies many chronic health issues. So if you think your health issues might be down to an intolerance problem, you need to see a professional to check out your diet and nutritional status and ascertain what might be causing problems.