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Stuggling with Allergies?

Food allergies can be a real problem.  Anaphylaxis – the most extreme form of food intolerance can be life threatening.

However, our bodies can be reactive to foods that create minor irritations that we may not even be aware of.  Reflux, indigestion, stomach aches and pains, rashes, itches, hives, allergies are just a few of the symptoms people experience with food intolerances.

The traditional medical RAST test will only show up current allergies.  However there is a test that can be performed to check for intolerances.  The Food Detective test, (or IgG blood tests via Naturopathic testing) can be done to look at up to 96 different foods

The information below (in italics) is an excerpt from the Food Detective website:

What’s the difference between an allergy and intolerance?

Food allergy is not the same as food intolerance.

A common confusion generally exists whenever the words food allergy or food
intolerance enter a sentence.

A classical food allergy (such as peanut or shellfish allergy) is usually characterised by

an immediate and often severe reaction of the immune system to exposure to a specific food.

The symptoms of food allergy include sneezing, rashes, skin irritation, swelling, runny nose, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting. Normally symptoms occur within a few minutes of eating or coming in to contact with the offending food, although they can be delayed by up to two hours.

Food allergy is quite rare with only about 2.5% of the population being diagnosed with the condition. The most common instances of food allergy are to peanuts, tree nuts (almonds and brazils), eggs, milk, fish and shellfish.

When exposed to the source of food allergy the body makes specific antibodies (IgE) to ‘fight off’ the allergens found in these foods and when the food is next eaten it triggers an immune system response which results in the release of histamine and other naturally occurring chemicals in the body. Allergic reactions to food can vary considerably in their severity and some can be life threatening.

Food intolerance and food allergy in brief

  Food Intolerance   Food Allergy  
 
  • Reactions are usually delayed and symptoms may take several days to appear.
  • You can be intolerant to several different food groups at the same time.
  • Sufferers can experience multiple symptoms, from migraine to bloating, diarrhoea, lethargy and a general feeling of unwellness.
  
  • Reactions usually occur quickly, with a maximum of 2 hours after exposure to the ‘reactive’ food.
  • Food allergy involves the body’s immune system and is a reaction to a specific food.
  • Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, rashes, swelling, runny nose and anaphylactic shock. These can potentially be life threatening.

The Food Detective Test kit is available in our office.

This finger prick test is done for you at the first consultation.

Phone us now to enquire on 9792 4248