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| Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden) |
Last updated: May 05, 2008 |
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Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden) |
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Signs, symptoms and indicators | Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | Other conditions that may be present | It can lead to... | Recommendations
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Food allergy and sensitivity is an important, complex, and often overlooked cause of symptoms and disease. Chasing down the culprits may require the services of a Natural Doctor.
Most food reactions are delayed up to several days and are thus more difficult to identify. To further complicate matters, delayed food reactions can be cyclic or fixed in nature. - Cyclic types account for 80+% of food allergies. A sensitivity may slowly develop by repetitive eating of a food. Avoidance for months may result in tolerance again unless eaten too frequently. Such foods may be tolerated every one to four days.
- Fixed allergies are sensitivities that occur whenever a food is eaten regardless of the time span between contacts.
The incidence and severity of food allergies has increased dramatically during the last 15 years. Some physicians claim that food allergies are the leading cause of most undiagnosed symptoms. Others maintain that at least 60% of the American population suffers from symptoms associated with food reactions.
Theories of why the incidence has increased include:- Increased stresses on the immune system (such as greater chemical pollution in the air, water, and food).
- Earlier weaning and earlier introduction of solid foods to infants.
- Genetic manipulation of plants resulting in food components which cross-react with normal tissues.
Repeated exposure, improper digestion and compromised integrity of the intestinal barrier are all factors in the development and maintenance of food allergy.
It has been well documented that partially-digested or undigested dietary protein can cross the intestinal barrier intact and be absorbed into the blood stream. The immune system must decide how to deal with this non-self protein. Is it friend or foe? If viewed as an enemy (something that shouldn't be on the inside of the GI tract), an allergic response can occur. This reaction can be localized, systemic, or at specific distant sites.
There are basically two methods of detecting which foods may be causing symptoms.- Experimentation. Going on an elimination diet (fasting, or consuming foods which have a low allergic rate such as rice, lamb, cabbage) for 4-7 days until symptoms clear. Reintroducing foods one at a time may point to the culprit. An elimination diet can be accurate, but difficult at the same time.
- Food allergy testing. Recent improvements in laboratory techniques have made blood testing more reliable. Costs for the tests run from $130.00 to $300.00 for 90+ foods, but can be a valuable and time-saving approach.
If you suspect sensitivity to a particular food, you can strictly eliminate it for a period of time and see how you feel, or if any symptoms resolve. Avoidance should include any hidden sources. The most common food allergens are dairy, eggs, gluten grains (wheat, oats, rye), corn, beans (especially soy), coffee, citrus, and nuts. Since many food sensitivities can be due to poor digestion, hydrochloric acid and pancreatic trials are appropriate.
Good Laboratories for this kind of testing include:
Immuno Laboratories
Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories
NAET (Nambudripad Allergic Elimination Therapy) is a controversial technique that is currently being used to treat allergies in many countries. Treatment using NAET involves exposing the patient to an allergen and providing acupressure along spinal meridians to eliminate the body's negative response to the substance. Many sessions are typically required and practitioners make many claims. Please do your homework on this one.
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 Signs, symptoms & indicators of Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden): | | | | | | Childhood |  Allergies as a child |
Lab Values - Common |
 Rapid pulse rate
Counter-indicators:
 Slowed pulse rate |
Symptoms - Allergy |
Bloating caused by specific foods
Moderate sneezing or frequent sneezing / attacks
Excess/using medication for allergy/ mucous |
Symptoms - Bowel Movements |
(Very/tendency to) infrequent stools
(Very) frequent stools or normal stool frequency
Bowel movement changes |
Symptoms - Cardiovascular |
Heart racing/palpitations |
Symptoms - Environment |
(High) cigarette smoke sensitivity |
Symptoms - Food - Preferences |
Craving specific foods
Craving and eating wheat |
Symptoms - Gas-Int - General |
Epigastric pain | The first part of the body to react to food is often the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes mast cells are involved in allergic reactions and release chemicals such as histamine. If the affected mast cells are in the gastrointestinal tract, a person may suffer vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. |
Unexplained nausea
General flatulence
Meal-related bloating |
Symptoms - General |
Major fatigue for over 12/minor fatigue for over 3/major fatigue for over 3 months |
Symptoms - Head - Eyes/Ocular |
Dark areas under eyes
Bags under eyes |
Symptoms - Head - Mouth/Oral |
A swollen tongue |
Symptoms - Head - Nose |
Allergic rhinitis |
Symptoms - Metabolic |
Afternoon headaches
Low stamina
Frequent colds/flus |
Symptoms - Mind - General |
Spacey/unreal feelings |
Symptoms - Nervous |
Facial burning/tingling| | Tingling in the face has been known to be caused by food allergies. For example, several recent cases include this and other symptoms as an allergy to barley after consuming only a small amount of beer. |
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Symptoms - Respiratory |
Discomfort caused by mold/mustiness
Pain/burning behind breastbone| | Wheat has been known to be a cause of esophagitis, as have other hidden food allergens. |
Chronic productive cough |
Symptoms - Skin - Conditions |
Rashes| | The symptoms of food allergy can include skin rashes. |
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Symptoms - Sleep |
(Frequent) difficulty falling asleep
Drowsiness after meals |
Symptoms - Urinary |
Urinary urgency or urinary urgency when bladder full |
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Conditions that suggest Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden): | | | | | | Allergy |  Allergic Tension Fatigue Syndrome
Environmental Illness / MCS| | People with multiple chemical sensitivities often have multiple food allergies as well. While reactions to chemicals in the environment are generally quicker and more easily identified, food allergies are usually delayed, making it harder to pinpoint the offending food. People with MCS are often unaware of hidden food allergies which could be contributing to their overall allergic load. |
Allergies Indoor
Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever| | The ear, nose, and throat are common target organs for food allergens. Congestion or inflammation of the nose (rhinitis) may be due to airborne irritants and allergens, but food allergy may be an undiagnosed cause of this common problem. |
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Autoimmune |
Dermatitis Herpetiformis| | Not all people with Dermatitis Herpetiformis improve on a gluten free diet and medication. Some studies suggest that sensitivity to other dietary proteins may be involved. An elimination diet or allergy testing should be done to check for other food sensitivities. |
Dermatomyositis| | As with all autoimmune conditions, food allergies/intolerances and environemental triggers may be contributing factors. |
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Diet |
Picky-Eater Syndrome| | Food allergies are sometimes addictive in nature, requiring continued consumption of the allergenic food in order to prevent the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. However, eating the same foods over and over increases the likelihood of eventually becoming allergic to them. |
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Digestion |
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)| | The presence of food allergy is concealed in a variety of diagnoses including irritable bowel syndrome. However, in IBS the mechanism of action does not seem to involve immune system reactivity, but increased prostaglandin E2 levels.This means that in IBS, there is a strong association with 'food intolerance' not 'food allergy'. This also means that blood testing for food allergies would not be helpful, but an elimination diet is needed to determine the which were the offending foods.
In one study of 21 patients without celiac disease but with IBS, 14 fully recovered during an elimination diet. The most common offending foods were wheat, corn, dairy, coffee, tea and citrus fruits. [Lancet 1982;2: pp. 1115-1117] |
Bad Breath (Halitosis)| | Food allergy is a common cause of heavy and foul breath. [Food Allergy: Its Manifestations and Control and the Elimination Diets by Dr.s Rowe and Rowe, 1972, pp.104] |
Heartburn / GERD |
Immunity |
Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)| | Foods including wheat, oranges, tomatoes, chocolate, nuts, eggplant, tea and cola were dietary allergens that have been found to trigger ulcer initiation. A study by Dr. Pelin Gürdal conducted in a dental university in Turkey concluded from previous studies [Oral Surg. 1984:57, pp.504-507] and his own that as many as 50% of RAS patients will improve when offending foods are identified and eliminated. Without laboratory testing or patient insights, identifying these foods for individual sufferers can be challenging. Food allergies continue to be a controversial cause of canker sores, and further research is necessary to resolve the issue. |
Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome| | The uncovering of hidden food allergies can be important in dealing with CFS and FM and should not be overlooked. |
Weakened Immune System| | Food allergies divert some of the immune system's resources away from preventing and dealing with illness. Thus, continuous consumption of a food which is causing symptoms weakens your immune system. A weakened immune system enables infections and cancerous growths to develop and take hold. Many patients report that they suffer from more than one symptom or illness when reintroducing a known food allergen into their diet after a period of abstinence. |
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Infections |
Ear Infection, Middle| | Recurrent middle ear "infections" are very common in the first five years of life and may be eliminated by proper diet revision.
It was reported that of 104 children with chronic serous otitis media (OM) ,78% had positive skin tests for food and an elimination diet led to a significant amelioration of symptoms in 86% . The most common allergenic foods were cow's milk (38%), wheat (33%), egg white (25%), peanut (20%) and soya (17%). The authors concluded that food allergy should be considered in all patients with recurrent OM. [Ann Allergy, 73: 3, 1994 Sep, pp.215-9 ] |
Sinusitis| | The ear, nose, and throat are common target organs for food allergens. Food allergy may be the undiagnosed cause of sinusitis in some people. |
Pharyngitis| | The ear, nose, and throat are common target organs for food allergens. Congestion or inflammation of the nose (rhinitis), sinuses (sinusitis), and throat (pharyngitis) may be due to airborne irritants and allergens, but food allergy may be the undiagnosed cause of these common problems. |
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Lab Values |
Neutrophilia| | An Increase in the neutrophil count has been seen during food challenge in milk-allergic children. |
Eosinophilia| | Eosinophilia is suggestive of allergy, but not necessarily of food allergy, although food allergies have been responsible for a some cases of an increased eosinophil count. |
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Mental |
Autism| | Children with autism are sensitive. Of the thousands of children I have known in thirty years as a doctor, the few hundred with problems in the spectrum related to autism stand out as the most distinctively sensitive of them all. Touching, tasting, hearing, smelling, and seeing involve an enterprise that is not only characterized by difficulties in processing and organization but is also involves a heightened, often painful, sensitivity.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that “autism is caused by allergy”. I am saying that children who have problems in the autistic spectrum (as well as children who have significant attention problems) are sensitive not just in the area of their senses, but also in their immune system’s reaction to the environment.
Should you change the diet of a child who has decided to live on French fries, chocolate milk, pretzels, Twinkies and diet coke, rejecting all alternatives with an iron will? Yup! And when you get over the hump, you are likely to be rewarded with changes in sleep, behavior, attention and “sensitivity” that make the struggle worth it. There are several ways of checking for food allergy. Trial and error changes in diet are tedious but inexpensive. IgG ELISA blood testing is a reliable way also.
Excerpted form an article by Dr. Sidney Baker, MD, Connecticut. |
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD / ADHD)| | "3 decades in practice revealed how common allergies are with children. Most children with behavioral problems - and including children with all sorts of attention problems - have hypersensitivity to foods, and inhalants." Dr. Sidney Baker, MD, Connecticut. |
Schizophrenia| | An allergy is a negative sensitivity, usually to a substance, which causes a physical reaction. Classical responses include creation of blood antibodies, histamine release, swelling, itching, runny nose, and others. However, substances can cause many negative reactions commonly not associated with allergies.
In the case of cerebral (brain) allergies reactions include brain inflammation, irritability, fear, depression, aggression, extreme mood swings in a single day, hyperactivity, and psychosis.
A study of "schizophrenics" by Dr. William Philpott showed allergic responses as follows: wheat (64%), mature corn (51%), pasteurized whole cow milk (50%), tobacco (75% with 10% becoming grossly psychotic with delusions, hallucinations and particularly paranoia), and hydrocarbons (30% with weakness being common and some participants reacting with delusions or suicidal inclinations). Ninety-two percent of the patients showed allergic responses with an average of ten items per person causing reactions. |
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Metabolic |
Headaches, Migraine/Tension
Edema (Water Retention)
Bruxism (Clenching/Grinding Teeth)
Bulimic Tendency |
Musculo-Skeletal |
Muscle Pains (Myalgia)| | Muscle pain can be due to food allergies. Such pains will disappear after elimination of the offending foods from the diet. |
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Nervous System |
Tourette's Syndrome| | Sherry A Rogers, M.D., a specialist in environmental medicine, reports that all of the TS cases she has seen have a least one nutrient deficiency, and usually several. She notes that all of these patients have hidden mold, dust, chemical and food sensitivities. [Health Counselor, Vol.7, No.4] |
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Organ Health |
Gallbladder Disease| | A 1968 study revealed that 100% of a group of gallbladder patients were free from symptoms while they were on a basic elimination diet (beef, rye, soybean, rice, cherry, peach, apricot, beet, and spinach). Foods inducing symptoms in decreasing order of their occurrence were: egg, pork, onion, fowl, milk, coffee, citrus, corn, beans and nuts. Adding eggs to the diet, for example, caused gallbladder attacks in 93% of these patients. At a minimum, an egg-free trial period of several months could be worthwhile.
Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the association of food allergy and gallstones. Dr. Breneman, who conducted this study, believes the ingestion of allergy-causing substances causes swelling of the bile ducts, resulting in the impairment of bile flow from the gallbladder. This reduced flow leads to an increase in stone formation.[Ann Allergy 26: pp.83-7, 1968)] |
Prostatitis| | For chronic prostatitis, a hypoallergenic/rotation diet or food allergy testing would be appropriate. Patients have reported that avoidance of their offending foods resulted in the disappearance of prostate symptoms. |
Pancreatitis |
Pain |
Low Back Pain / Problems |
Respiratory |
Asthma| | Asthma is one of the three manifestations of a pattern of allergy that is called atopy. The associated disorders are eczema and hay fever. Asthma due to allergy can come from both airborne and food sources. Patients with delayed pattern food allergy have the most severe and persistent inflammatory form of chronic asthma.
While airborne problems are more obvious to asthmatic sufferers, food problems may be a well-hidden source of lung disease. Many studies of food allergy involve patients with food-induced asthma. Eczema and asthma are often associated in atopic patients with food allergy.
In a group of 320 children with atopic dermatitis, 55% had asthma. Food challenges triggered respiratory symptoms in 59% (rhinitis, laryngeal edema, wheezing, and dyspnea). Asthma is frequently treated only as an airborne allergy problem or as a problem unrelated to allergic processes and the possible role of food allergy is neglected. It is overlooked because the usual skin tests are often negative and the history is often not helpful as symptoms appear gradually, hours or days after ingestion of the food. Milk, wheat, egg, yeast, preservatives, colorings, coffee and cheese are the main foods implicated.
Food allergens may be found in the bloodstream within circulating immune complexes that trigger the release of immune mediators into the bloodstream. These chemicals cause a variety of symptoms, including constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle in the lungs; this is the first event during an asthmatic attack. Airflow is reduced in the narrowed tubes. Air has a harder time leaving the lungs than entering, with the result of prolonged noisy exhalation. This inflammatory, obstructive phase is the most important mechanism of chronic asthmatic bronchitis. |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Eczema| | Foods which have commonly been linked to atopic dermatitis include milk, wheat, eggs, soy and peanuts. [J Allerg Clin Immun 1983;71: pp. 473-480] Other studies have found that chocolate, seafood, oranges, celery and yeast may provoke symptoms. [Allergy 1989;44: pp. 47-51]
Thirty-five children with atopic dermatitis were proven to be allergic to various foods by dietary elimination and challenge, radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and human basophil degranulation test (HBDT). Oral sodium cromoglycate improved skin lesions in these patients and protected them from the effects of challenge with food allergens. This protective effect of oral sodium cromoglycate may be explained by the blocking of the immune response in the gut wall and of antigen entry. [Ann Allergy. 1981 Sep;47(3): pp.173-5] The initial dose was 100mg per day and was progressively raised to 200-600mg per day, depending on the response. |
Hives| | Foods and drugs are common causes of hives. A reaction that occurs immediately after ingestion of certain foods, producing hives and difficulty breathing is termed anaphylactic and is potentially dangerous. Delayed reactions are less serious but more difficult to pinpoint. Some patients get hives occasionally only when they ingest a specific food or food additive. Others develop hives as a chronic problem that can continue for years. Most studies of chronic hives suggest that only a low percentage are due to food allergy; this is usually because diet revision attempts were inadequate for revealing the hidden food causes. |
Pruritus Ani
Psoriasis| | Psoriasis patients have benefited from gluten-free and elimination diets. |
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Symptoms - Head - Nose |
Nasal congestion| | Postnasal mucous is often associated with moderate or even severe perennial nasal allergy but also always requires the study of food allergies. [Food Allergy: Its Manifestations and Control and the Elimination Diets by Dr.s Rowe and Rowe, 1972, pp.104] |
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Tumors, Benign |
Nasal Polyps| | Nasal polyps are often caused by inhalant allergens but they can also be due to an allergy to food substances as well. Complete allergy testing for inhaled substances and foods should be considered.
A controlled study suggested a strong association between food allergy and nasal polyposis. The study was conducted in 2 parts. In the prospective study, 80 nasal polyp patients and 36 control subjects completed intradermal tests for food allergy. Sixty-five nasal polyp patients (81%) and 4 control subjects (11%) had positive intradermal food test results. This is highly significant. [Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000 Feb;122(2): pp.298-301]
Another study compared the prevalence of atopy in patients afflicted by nasal polyps with the atopy prevalence in healthy volunteers without nasal polyps, since systemic allergy and allergy in the nasal mucosa are still being debated as underlying causes for nasal polyps. Thirty-four cases with nasal polyposis without asthma and history of allergy or atopic disease were enrolled in the study and compared with 20 healthy volunteer controls in respect to asymptomatic food hypersensitivity.
Hypersensitivity for 48 kinds of commonly consumed food in Turkey was investigated by an epicutaneuos prick test, Multi-Test II (Lincoln Diagnostic, Inc, USA), using a special applicator. The food allergy test was positive in 25 out of the 34 cases with nasal polyps and in 6 out of the 20 controls. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The number of skin tests with positive results in patients with nasal polyps ranged from 1 to 37, whereas in the control subjects the range was 1 to 10. The difference in the number of food reactions was also statistically significant.
Asymptomatic food hypersensitivity, being immunologically mediated, may be a triggering factor for the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. Therefore, treatment of asymptomatic food allergy in patients with nasal polyps may alleviate symptoms, slow the progress of nasal polyps and prolong the disease-free interval after polypectomy. [Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2003 Jun;21(2): pp. 79-82] |
Ovarian Cysts |
Uro-Genital |
Semen Allergy| | There was found to be a greater prevalance of self-reported food allergy among women with systemic human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. This supports the hypothesis that exposure and sensitization to semimal fluid could result from cross-reactivity with food proteins that are a part of the average daily American diet. In other words, semen allergies could be connected to food allergies because of similar protein composition. |
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Risk factors for Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden): | | | | | | Autoimmune | Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease| | People with celiac disease may be intolerant to additional foods - more than just those containing gluten. Foods that have been reported to trigger symptoms include cows'milk and soy. [Lancet 1963;2: pp.1132-5] [J Clin Pathol 1982;35: pp.319-22] |
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Childhood |
Allergies as a child |
Diet |
Excess Protein Consumption| | High-protein diets may trigger food allergies. Food allergies often arise when protein is poorly digested and/or particular protein-containing foods are consumed too frequently. |
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Digestion |
Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency| | Consuming foods to which a person is allergic may contribute to poor stomach acid production. And, when stomach acid production is reduced or absent (either naturally or with the use of antacid medications) the chance of developing food allergies is enhanced. |
Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut |
Environment / Toxicity |
Mercury Toxicity / Amalgam Illness |
Family History |
Allergies in family members |
Infections |
Parasite Infection
Lyme Disease
Dysbiosis, Bacterial |
Symptoms - Food - Beverages |
Moderate/high/low alcohol consumption| | Foods that are consumed at the same time you have an alcoholic drink appear to be much more likely than usual to pass into the blood stream in an only partially digested state. This results in your immune system treating them as foreign invaders or allergens, and provoke an antibody response. People who drink alcohol are more likely to have food allergies.
(James Braly, Food, Allergy and Nutrition Revolution) |
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Symptoms - Food - Intake |
Consuming wheat regularly or consuming wheat frequently
(High) refined white flour consumption |
Symptoms - Gas-Int - General |
History of unexplained nausea |
Symptoms - Head - Ears |
History of infection behind ear drum| | Recurrent middle ear "infections" are very common in the first five years of life and may be eliminated by proper diet revision.
It was reported that of 104 children with chronic serous otitis media (OM) ,78% had positive skin tests for food and an elimination diet led to a significant amelioration of symptoms in 86% . The most common allergenic foods were cow's milk (38%), wheat (33%), egg white (25%), peanut (20%) and soya (17%). The authors concluded that food allergy should be considered in all patients with recurrent OM. [Ann Allergy, 73: 3, 1994 Sep, pp.215-9 ] |
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Symptoms - Head - Nose |
History of sinusitis| | The ear, nose, and throat are common target organs for food allergens. Food allergy may be the undiagnosed cause of sinusitis in some people. |
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Symptoms - Reproductive - General |
History of ovarian cysts |
Symptoms - Respiratory |
Past pain/burning behind breastbone| | Wheat has been known to be a cause of esophagitis, as have other hidden food allergens. |
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Symptoms - Skin - Conditions |
History of adolescent acne |
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Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden) suggests the following may be present: | | | | | | Allergy | Environmental Illness / MCS| | People with multiple chemical sensitivities often have multiple food allergies as well. While reactions to chemicals in the environment are generally quicker and more easily identified, food allergies are usually delayed, making it harder to pinpoint the offending food. People with MCS are often unaware of hidden food allergies which could be contributing to their overall allergic load. |
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Digestion |
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)| | The presence of food allergy is concealed in a variety of diagnoses including irritable bowel syndrome. However, in IBS the mechanism of action does not seem to involve immune system reactivity, but increased prostaglandin E2 levels.This means that in IBS, there is a strong association with 'food intolerance' not 'food allergy'. This also means that blood testing for food allergies would not be helpful, but an elimination diet is needed to determine the which were the offending foods.
In one study of 21 patients without celiac disease but with IBS, 14 fully recovered during an elimination diet. The most common offending foods were wheat, corn, dairy, coffee, tea and citrus fruits. [Lancet 1982;2: pp. 1115-1117] |
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Hormones |
Histapenia (Histamine Low) |
Nervous System |
Tourette's Syndrome| | Sherry A Rogers, M.D., a specialist in environmental medicine, reports that all of the TS cases she has seen have a least one nutrient deficiency, and usually several. She notes that all of these patients have hidden mold, dust, chemical and food sensitivities. [Health Counselor, Vol.7, No.4] |
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Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden) can lead to: | | | | | | Immunity | Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)| | Foods including wheat, oranges, tomatoes, chocolate, nuts, eggplant, tea and cola were dietary allergens that have been found to trigger ulcer initiation. A study by Dr. Pelin Gürdal conducted in a dental university in Turkey concluded from previous studies [Oral Surg. 1984:57, pp.504-507] and his own that as many as 50% of RAS patients will improve when offending foods are identified and eliminated. Without laboratory testing or patient insights, identifying these foods for individual sufferers can be challenging. Food allergies continue to be a controversial cause of canker sores, and further research is necessary to resolve the issue. |
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Mental |
Schizophrenia| | An allergy is a negative sensitivity, usually to a substance, which causes a physical reaction. Classical responses include creation of blood antibodies, histamine release, swelling, itching, runny nose, and others. However, substances can cause many negative reactions commonly not associated with allergies.
In the case of cerebral (brain) allergies reactions include brain inflammation, irritability, fear, depression, aggression, extreme mood swings in a single day, hyperactivity, and psychosis.
A study of "schizophrenics" by Dr. William Philpott showed allergic responses as follows: wheat (64%), mature corn (51%), pasteurized whole cow milk (50%), tobacco (75% with 10% becoming grossly psychotic with delusions, hallucinations and particularly paranoia), and hydrocarbons (30% with weakness being common and some participants reacting with delusions or suicidal inclinations). Ninety-two percent of the patients showed allergic responses with an average of ten items per person causing reactions. |
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Organ Health |
Pancreatitis
Prostatitis| | For chronic prostatitis, a hypoallergenic/rotation diet or food allergy testing would be appropriate. Patients have reported that avoidance of their offending foods resulted in the disappearance of prostate symptoms. |
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Respiratory |
Asthma| | Asthma is one of the three manifestations of a pattern of allergy that is called atopy. The associated disorders are eczema and hay fever. Asthma due to allergy can come from both airborne and food sources. Patients with delayed pattern food allergy have the most severe and persistent inflammatory form of chronic asthma.
While airborne problems are more obvious to asthmatic sufferers, food problems may be a well-hidden source of lung disease. Many studies of food allergy involve patients with food-induced asthma. Eczema and asthma are often associated in atopic patients with food allergy.
In a group of 320 children with atopic dermatitis, 55% had asthma. Food challenges triggered respiratory symptoms in 59% (rhinitis, laryngeal edema, wheezing, and dyspnea). Asthma is frequently treated only as an airborne allergy problem or as a problem unrelated to allergic processes and the possible role of food allergy is neglected. It is overlooked because the usual skin tests are often negative and the history is often not helpful as symptoms appear gradually, hours or days after ingestion of the food. Milk, wheat, egg, yeast, preservatives, colorings, coffee and cheese are the main foods implicated.
Food allergens may be found in the bloodstream within circulating immune complexes that trigger the release of immune mediators into the bloodstream. These chemicals cause a variety of symptoms, including constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle in the lungs; this is the first event during an asthmatic attack. Airflow is reduced in the narrowed tubes. Air has a harder time leaving the lungs than entering, with the result of prolonged noisy exhalation. This inflammatory, obstructive phase is the most important mechanism of chronic asthmatic bronchitis. |
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Skin-Hair-Nails |
Eczema| | Foods which have commonly been linked to atopic dermatitis include milk, wheat, eggs, soy and peanuts. [J Allerg Clin Immun 1983;71: pp. 473-480] Other studies have found that chocolate, seafood, oranges, celery and yeast may provoke symptoms. [Allergy 1989;44: pp. 47-51]
Thirty-five children with atopic dermatitis were proven to be allergic to various foods by dietary elimination and challenge, radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and human basophil degranulation test (HBDT). Oral sodium cromoglycate improved skin lesions in these patients and protected them from the effects of challenge with food allergens. This protective effect of oral sodium cromoglycate may be explained by the blocking of the immune response in the gut wall and of antigen entry. [Ann Allergy. 1981 Sep;47(3): pp.173-5] The initial dose was 100mg per day and was progressively raised to 200-600mg per day, depending on the response. |
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Tumors, Benign |
Nasal Polyps| | Nasal polyps are often caused by inhalant allergens but they can also be due to an allergy to food substances as well. Complete allergy testing for inhaled substances and foods should be considered.
A controlled study suggested a strong association between food allergy and nasal polyposis. The study was conducted in 2 parts. In the prospective study, 80 nasal polyp patients and 36 control subjects completed intradermal tests for food allergy. Sixty-five nasal polyp patients (81%) and 4 control subjects (11%) had positive intradermal food test results. This is highly significant. [Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000 Feb;122(2): pp.298-301]
Another study compared the prevalence of atopy in patients afflicted by nasal polyps with the atopy prevalence in healthy volunteers without nasal polyps, since systemic allergy and allergy in the nasal mucosa are still being debated as underlying causes for nasal polyps. Thirty-four cases with nasal polyposis without asthma and history of allergy or atopic disease were enrolled in the study and compared with 20 healthy volunteer controls in respect to asymptomatic food hypersensitivity.
Hypersensitivity for 48 kinds of commonly consumed food in Turkey was investigated by an epicutaneuos prick test, Multi-Test II (Lincoln Diagnostic, Inc, USA), using a special applicator. The food allergy test was positive in 25 out of the 34 cases with nasal polyps and in 6 out of the 20 controls. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The number of skin tests with positive results in patients with nasal polyps ranged from 1 to 37, whereas in the control subjects the range was 1 to 10. The difference in the number of food reactions was also statistically significant.
Asymptomatic food hypersensitivity, being immunologically mediated, may be a triggering factor for the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. Therefore, treatment of asymptomatic food allergy in patients with nasal polyps may alleviate symptoms, slow the progress of nasal polyps and prolong the disease-free interval after polypectomy. [Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2003 Jun;21(2): pp. 79-82] |
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Recommendations for Allergy / Intolerance to Foods (Hidden): | | | | | | Animal-based |  Urine Therapy |
Detoxification |
Liver/Gall Bladder Flush |
Drug |
 Conventional Drugs / Information| | Thirty-five children with atopic dermatitis were proven to be allergic to various foods by dietary elimination and challenge, radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and human basophil degranulation test (HBDT). Oral sodium cromoglycate improved skin lesions in these patients and protected them from the effects of challenge with food allergens. This protective effect of oral sodium cromoglycate may be explained by the blocking of the immune response in the gut wall and of antigen entry. [Ann Allergy. 1981 Sep;47(3): pp.173-5] The initial dose was 100mg per day and was progressively raised to 200-600mg per day, depending on the response. |
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Immunotherapy |
Desensitization| | Children who were allergic to eggs were able to essentially overcome their allergy by gradually consuming increased quantities of eggs over time, researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have found in a small pilot study.
"Participants who took a daily dose of egg product over the two-year study period were able to build up their bodies' resistance to the point where most of them could eat two scrambled eggs without a reaction," said A. Wesley Burks, M.D., chief of Duke's Division of Allergy and Immunology and a senior member of the research team. "Egg allergies cause a significant decrease in quality of life for many people, so this study is exciting in that it brings us a step closer to being able to offer a meaningful therapy for these people." [Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, January 2007] |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
 Test for Food Allergies
Elimination Diet
Hydrochloric Acid (Trial)| | It is estimated that 80% of patients with food allergies suffer from some degree of impairment of hydrochloric acid secretion. This can range from the complete absence of hydrochloric acid (achlorhydria) to a deficiency in the amount of hydrochloric acid secreted (hypochlorhydria). The passage of acidic stomach contents into the small intestine stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, critical for continuing the digestive process. [Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution, by James Braly, M.D.] |
Digestive Enzymes / (Trial)| | Food allergies are usually triggered by partially undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by further breaking down undigested protein to sizes too small to cause allergic reactions. Limited scientific evidence supports this theory.[Ann Allergy 1993;71: p.269]
In the book, Digestive Enzymes, the point is made that while enzyme supplements can be an important part of breaking the vicious cycle of maldigestion, they should not have to be taken indefinitely. Also recommended are vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc, and pantothenic acid, which should help to improve digestive strength. [Digestive Enzymes by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., p. 20] |
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Mineral |
Zinc| | Please see the link between Food Allergy and Digestive Enzymes. |
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Oriental Medicine |
Nambudripad Allergic Elimination Therapy (NAET) |
Oxygen / Oxidative Therapies |
Ozone / Oxidative Therapy |
Vitamins |
Bioflavonoids| | Some doctors use quercetin to block food allergies, though no published studies yet exist to support this. There is however good support for the use of Cromolyn sodium to block food allergic reactions. Cromolyn is made up of two molecules of quercetin. |
Vitamin A| | Please see the link between Food Allergy and Digestive Enzymes. |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)| | Please see the link between Food Allergy and Digestive Enzymes. |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)| | Please see the link between Food Allergy and Digestive Enzymes. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link | | | Strongly counter-indicative | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
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