YOU MAY HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES & NOT KNOW IT!

Most people think of food allergies as being the most severe kind, involving anaphylaxis, which usually is a reaction of the entire body to a particular allergen. Did you know, however, that excess congestion, runny nose, headaches and joint pain can all be attributed to food allergies?

When the immune system gets run down, and in particular during times of stress, our digestive tracts slow down and digestion gets sluggish. This often means our bodies are not producing enough digestive enzymes to break down our food into its proper constituents (i.e., carbohydrates --> sugars; protein --> amino acids; fats --> triglycerides), leading to poorly digested food.

The undigested food enters our intestinal tract, where low-grade inflammation may result. This low-grade inflammation may go on for years, producing symptoms that are hardly associated with food allergy. This may mean joint pain, mood swings, fatigue, irritable bowel, headaches or migraines, etc. The trickiest part is that we often don’t associate these symptoms with the food that may be causing it, despite how often we eat it (ex: wheat, dairy, corn, etc.).

If you can imagine our intestinal lining to be similar to a nylon stocking in terms of permeability, any inflammation can lead to a “stretching”, or swelling, of the tissue. This becomes truly problematic when undigested protein particles pass through this lining and into the bloodstream. VOILA - you now have a serious immune system reacting to a ‘foreign’ substance.

In order to identify food allergies, you have to work with a nutritionist to eliminate potential trigger foods (for at least 3 weeks) and then re-introduce them and watch for any reaction. In the meantime, you must improve the health of your immune system, while managing stress levels. A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM WILL NOT REACT FOOD. Here is a manageable way to overcome food allergies or intolerances:

1) eliminate allergic foods for at least 3 weeks
2) strengthen the immune system with plenty of rest and a healthy, whole foods diet
3) heal the G.I. tract with soothing herbs, such as slippery elm or marshmallow root (no, not the puffy kind full of sugar that you roast on a fire)
4) slowly reintroduce the allergic food in small quantity and watch for a reaction (*please note: if you are anaphylactic, you must be working with an MD while doing this)

It is possible to “train” the immune system to no longer react to once-allergic foods. Many people have moved beyond their food allergies to enjoy them on a regular basis. It requires dedication and the patience to allow it to happen. You can consult with a nutritionist to see whether you may have food allergies and begin the road to recovery!

Skin, nails & hair - what do they have to do with our health status?

We have all heard the expression “beauty starts from the inside” - but what exactly does that mean? Nutritionally speaking, our skin, hair, skin and nails can often be an indication of the quality of food you are putting in your mouth. Since the skin is the largest organ, it will absorb anything you put on it topically, and so will also indicate the quality of the body care products you select.


So - how can we help improve our nutritional status in order to maximize proper skin elimination and strengthen our hair and nails? The obvious answer is to eat well, drink lots of water and gets lots of sleep. This notion is not new to most of us, whether we practice it or not. Instead, let’s look at some specific examples of the correlation between food and our skin:


*Dark circles under the eyes can be an indication of iron deficiency. Eating leafy green vegetables and lean (organic if possible) animal protein can help raise iron levels in the blood.

*Acne can be a sign of deficiencies in zinc and essential fatty acids (omega-3 and -6). This can be helped by increasing intake of zinc-rich foods, such as raw pumpkin seeds and oysters. Omega-3 and -6 can be found in all raw nuts and seeds, as well as cold-water fish (omega-3).

*Eczema or rosacea can be an indication of food intolerances that may be causing inflammation in the body. Speak to a Naturopath or a holistic nutritionist about trying an elimination diet to identify possible allergens.

*Tender, bleeding or receding gums can be a sign of vitamin C deficiency - increase intake of fresh fruit, bell peppers and most fresh vegetables.

*Dry or irritated skin is a sure indication that one is not ingesting enough healthy fats. These would include unrefined, cold-pressed oils such as olive, hemp, sunflower, or flax. Our skin has a need for fat in order to act as a barrier for external influences, including bacteria.


Our nails can further reveal our bodies’ nutritional status, even though we don’t often make the association. Here are some examples:


*“Spoon-shaped” nails are often a sign of iron deficiency.

*White spots on nails are related to zinc deficiency.

*Thin, or splitting nails are commonly an overall mineral deficiency - possibly made worse by drinking demineralized water.

*“Club-shaped”, or rounded nails are often a sign of an imbalance in the respiratory tract. This can be related to food intolerances that may be causing excess mucous build-up.

*Ridges in the nails are often related to malabsorption. This can be helped by eating raw foods, higher in enzymes to help break them down, and proper chewing to maximize digestion.

Finally, our hair, although technically “dead” cells, grows as a reflection of our bodies’ ability to properly utilize dietary minerals and protein. Using natural hair products, free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and foaming agents can minimize exposure to toxic substances that may further disrupt our endocrine (hormone) system. Choosing mineral-rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains as well as eating adequate amounts of high quality protein will help to ensure healthy hair!

© Grassroots Holistic Nutrition