Everyday in my acupuncture practice I see someone who has a problem that their doctor cannot seem to find a solution for. For some it may be a chronic rash or eczema. For others it may be low grade headaches or chronic fatigue. Many individuals are simply struggling with some sort of unresolved digestive problem. Even if it is not the primary nature of the patient's visit many people have some sort of hiccup with their digestion (no pun intended). Often times these patients have been given ulcer medications, take laxatives or something daily to slow the bowels.
The human body is an amazing machine that is constantly changing and growing. Of all of the basic necessities of life, we all need to eat. Less than one hundred years ago most people ate the food that grew native or very close to their home. With the advent of swift transportation and the new global economy we can now eat tropical fruits anywhere in the world all year round. The distance between available foods and our tables is extremely small. Some body's, in my opinion have not adapted in accordance genetically to keep up with the change in what we can eat.
An food allergy means that the body recognizes a particular food to be harmful. In response the immune system reacts releasing antibody's to attack the "pathogenic " food. Allergic reactions can be anywhere from mild digestive discomfort all the way to anaphylaxis and (if not treated) death. To test for a food allergy your doctor will perform what is called an IgE Antibody test. IgE or immunoglobulin E is the substance that is released by the body to defend itself from something harmful. If the test is positive it is said that you have an ALLERGY to the specific food that causes the release of IgE. This of course is a brief synopsis of food allergy but it gives you an understanding of what many doctors are looking for, laboratory numbers. While beneficial and certainly correct this methodology often discounts real physical symptoms that may be related to something that is not showing up in the test.
Although a patient in my practice may have been tested for a food allergy I will still explore the possibility of food sensitivity when there are unexplained symptoms or chronic digestive problems. A SENSITIVITY means that a person who ingests a particular food may have a reaction, such as acne, loose stool, constipation, eczema, headache, etc... which is the body's response to not being able to properly break down the food for digestion. This person may not have IgE released in response to the food but their body cannot properly utilize it and it becomes problematic. In my opinion a long term sensitivity can trigger the immune system to attack the body and may be the cause on many autoimmune disorders. In fact, medical literature often cites that the cause for most autoimmune malfunctions is unknown. I believe that many people who are allergy tested and told that they can continue to eat certain foods are actually seriously damaging themselves when they are sensitive.
The only way to know for sure if you are sensitive to certain foods is to maintain an elimination diet for a period of time (for gluten at least 3 months). Remove the food from your diet and see if some "unexplained" problems lessen or go away. See if your digestion improves! I will write more about elimination diets in future articles. For now know that the most common food allergies are gluten, corn, soy, wheat, and dairy. We are all unique individuals and we therefore all have unique digestive abilities. Find what works for you and your body will reward you with an abundance of energy and improved health. Always remember, wellbeing belongs to you!
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