November, 2003                       

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Introduction to Food Allergies

Many people live with annoying symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, postnasal drip, nasal congestion, itchy throat, itchy rashes, dark circles around the eyes, and migraines, etc 

Unfortunately, many learn to accept these symptoms as a normal part of their lives.  They, and you, do not have to.   There is a simple, non-invasive, natural treatment for permanent allergy elimination called NAET.

What would you think if I said that many of these symptoms can be caused by food allergies?  Many patients have responded to such a statement by saying that they have not heard of the connection, and ask, “How can I be allergic to foods that I eat everyday?”

Some have simply replied, “I don’t have food allergies.” 

Food allergies are very common and occur in many of us.  Whenever we have an adverse reaction to the ingestion of food, we are suffering from a “Food Allergy.”

When a food molecule enters the bloodstream, it should be left alone.  However, if our immune system recognizes it as a threat, as a foreign molecule, it becomes an antigen, and causes an immune response.

Immediately, antibodies, such as IgE (Immunoglobulin type E), are produced, and they bind to the food antigen.  This forms a complex, of IgE bound with the food antigen, which then binds again, this time to certain white blood cells known as mast cells and basophils.

The mast cells and basophils then release histamine.  It is the release of the histamine that causes swelling and inflammation.  This inflammation is the allergic response.  

Inflammation causes redness, swelling, heat, and pain.  But it is not just our skin and joints that can become inflamed, where it is obvious.  Our internal organs can also become inflamed, and although not as immediately noticeable, this can lead to a huge array of diseases and disorders with which we are all too familiar.
 

The following chart will give you an idea of what food allergies can cause:

But how do we become allergic in the first place?

There are an increasing number of people who are either born allergic to food, or develop allergies to food over the course of their lives.  The following is a list of potential causes of food allergy development:

1)     They were inherited:  Studies have shown that allergies can be inherited.  If both parents are allergic, then the child will have a 67% chance of being allergic too.  When only one parent is allergic, the child still has a 33% chance of being allergic.

2)     Early weaning and early introduction of food.

3)     Less variety of food consumption leading to repeated allergic food exposure.

4)     Processed food and hidden allergic ingredients such as preservatives, stabilizers, artificial colorings and flavorings.

5)     Genetic modification of food:  This can result in food components with greater allergic properties.

6)     Impaired digestive tract via repeated allergic food exposure, antibiotic overuse, stress, diseases

NAET Allergy Elimination Treatment:

For those of you suffering with any of the conditions above, I am offering NAET Allergy Elimination treatment.  NAET is a very successful, non-invasive, and painless form of allergy elimination based on kinesiology, acupressure, and natural medicine.

For more information of NAET, please see this link, or contact Dr. Melody Wong at Natural Health California on (650) 327-2053.

In the coming months, I will continue to write about food allergy related issues, because they can impact the health of so many, and cause so much suffering.

Look for these upcoming articles:

Melody Wong, ND

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