Food Allergies and the Digestive Connection
by Carmen Matters - Nature’s Field - May/June 2001

When I think of allergies, the picture that comes up in my mind's eye is that of Felix Unger from the sitcom "The Odd Couple." He is clasping the bridge of his nose with his fingers and making this hilarious snorting sound. He is miserable looking, paranoid of his environment and a general pain to his roommate, Oscar. Oscar thinks Felix is a hypochondriac, and for all intents and purposes, he is.
This hypersensitive character is portrayed well, for if you've ever suffered from allergies or sensitivities you probably know that desperate feeling you get when it seems as though you are being attacked by your environment and you just can't gain the control back. It brings with it a sense of helplessness and a distrust for normally inert, unobtrusive things in your surroundings.

An allergen can be just about anything, and therein lies part of the problem. For an allergic or highly sensitive person, the symptoms of the allergies can lessen at times, become worse at other times and can even change over time. To the onlooker, this could give the impression that the allergic person is in essence a hypochondriac, overreacting and overly worried.

The nature of this type of problem can be elusive and difficult to pin down. For instance, you know that your nose is running and your eyes are red or that your stomach is cramping and your heart is beating hard and fast, but where in the body is the illness? Is it in your heart? No, probably not. Is it in your head? 'Well some may think so, but probably not there either. So where does "it" reside? Half the battle is in knowing what one is dealing with.

The Immune System’s Part

Every organ, every tissue, everything that comprises the body is made up of groups of cells. A cluster of a certain type of cells will make the liver, another group will make the stomach, another the skin, and so on. 'Within this physical structure is a highly specialized and complex communication system. Constant interactions are taking place between these various organs and tissues, relaying messages back and forth. Together they all make up what is known as the immune system. This communication system goes one step further to include our thoughts and our feelings also. That endless chatter in our heads is taken very seriously by our immune system, so it pays to have a healthy, positive attitude.

This system in our body that is nowhere in particular yet everywhere in general, needs to be in tiptop condition in order to do its job properly. In the case of allergies, the immune system is overactive, and working overtime. (Too bad it doesn't get paid for working so hard!)

Rather than viewing incoming substances as neutral, the immune system will attack them as though these materials are invaders. Of course, with this attack comes a physical reaction due to the unnecessary war that is taking place. Hence, you, the allergy sufferer, have symptoms. From this point of entry and on, these foreign "invaders" are encoded within the immune system to be recognized and reckoned with again, if need be.

Why Does the Immune System go Away?

Every cell is surrounded by a fluid that protects it and helps to eliminate the waste products produced by that cell. This fluid, generated by the lymphatic system, is called lymph. The lymph carries these toxins and unwanted debris to the lymph nodes where it is then filtered, cleansed and recirculated. The lymphatic system is comprised of the spleen, tonsils, thymus and lymph nodes, all part of the immune system.
 

When the body becomes heavily ladened with impurities, the cells, rather than being bathed in health-sustaining fluids, are now being suffocated in toxic waste. This waste flows through the blood, the lymph, and virtually through every part of the body. The immune system can no longer protect its domain, nor can any other system in the body do its job adequately. We are constantly being bombarded with pollution, environmental toxins, pesticides, food additives, and household chemicals that tax our systems and challenge our health daily.
Some things in our environment we may not be able to control; what we choose to put into our bodies is completely up to the individual. And this is where our health begins.
 

The Digestive Connection

First eating properly is the key ingredient to any recipe you make. Bear this in mind with every meal, because each time you eat you are either contributing to your health or stressing your system and borrowing from your health. If you borrow too much, too often, the reserves get depleted and now you are in debt. It will cost you much more to regain your health than to maintain it.

Secondly, if the diet is less than perfect, it will be deficient in enzymes. Enzymes are extremely important as they are required to digest the foods that have just been eaten. Enzymes are naturally present in live foods, designed to assist in the break-down and assimilation.

"When these two things are out of balance, the body is at a disadvantage. It has to struggle and work extra hard to keep the balance, as the body will always strive for homeostasis. So it will borrow from other places to replenish insufficient supplies and will overcompensate where it needs to.

Eventually though, it tires and the whole digestive system becomes weak and underactive.
If the stomach cannot properly digest its food, it passes undigested material to the small intestines. Since the small intestines are not equipped to deal with this problem, they send out an alert. This could be an array of different symptoms. The stomach will also send signals of distress. Unfortunately, most of us ignore these calls because we either don't take them seriously or simply don't know what to do about them. So we do nothing, and now we have two parts of the body in ill repair.

This undigested food goes on to the colon. If the colon doesn't have enough fiber, nutrients, vital energy, or water to properly remove the waste, it will suck out the moisture and the dry fecal matter will attach to the bowel wall where it will create a toxic backlog. The toxins from the colon back up into the whole system via the blood and the lymph, and you end up with is the cells of the body immersed in a pool of poisons. This is called auto-intoxication.

How does this all pertain to allergies? If the body has become toxic, that means that something has got to give. In this case, the immune system cannot properly communicate anymore. In an attempt to save itself, it becomes overactive, and this is what gives rise to the allergies and what is actually an autoimmune disorder.

The symptoms of the allergies will manifest themselves in the body's weakest link, hence, some may get hayfever due to a lung weakness, some may get food allergies due to a weak digestive tract, while others may get hit in the sinuses.

Catching the Culprit

To assist the body on its road to recovery, there are a few things that need to be done.

If your allergies are related to food, then you must first pinpoint the culprit/s and eliminate them from the diet, at least for awhile. Common food allergies/sensitivities are: wheat, dairy, eggs, citrus, rice, peanuts and other nuts, corn, sulphites, food additives and dyes, chocolate, and strawberries.

Severe allergies are easy to identify, but other allergenic foods can be harder to trace, as the symptoms may not appear immediately. Often they will take up to 24 hours to surface.

Some people will go on an elimination diet, omitting suspect foods for at least seven days and then reintroducing them into the diet one at a time. The body will respond with a slightly more acute reaction since the food has not been there to aggravate symptoms for awhile. You'll get a clearer picture of what you are dealing with.

Another way to identify allergies is to take your pulse before eating, then eat the food and take the pulse again within twenty minutes. If your pulse has risen by ten beats or more you will want to avoid that food.

It is worth mentioning that there is a difference between allergies and sensitivities. An allergy occurs when the immune system makes an antibody to a perceived allergen, whereas a sensitivity or intolerance occurs when certain enzymes are lacking and the food cannot be fully digested. Food sensitivities can become allergies if particles from the undigested matter get into the bloodstream via a perforation in the intestinal wall, causing a reaction. This is known as leaky gut syndrome.

Once the food allergies are identified, you can move on to improving the quality of the diet. Eat plenty of vegetables, moderate amounts of fruit, whole grains and protein.

Eating smaller portions more often is an optimal way of eating no matter what. The body can only absorb and utilize so many nutrients and proteins at a time, what doesn’t get used could go to ‘waist’. Do not overeat!

Supplements to the Rescue

Supplements will serve the body well at this time. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Carotenoid Blends, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and Grapine are excellent to strengthen the body, to aid in eliminating toxins and to reduce free radical damage.

Since many allergies are due to a nutritional deficiency, add a good multi-vitamin/mineral. Calcium/Magnesium is required for proper digestion among its many other functions. Digestive enzymes will take a lot of the stress off the digestive system and will reduce symptoms such as bloating and gas. They will also help you to get more nutrients out of your food and supplements. Acidophilus will help to replenish the colon with the friendly bacteria that you want your colon to be full of. Those friendly critters help to keep you regular and they assist in the breaking down of the fecal matter.

The right type of fat is essential to proper digestion, so add some flaxseed oil to your meals and get rid of the BAD fats.

Herbs are not only full of lots of good stuff that your body can more easily assimilate than a vitamin pill, but they are also healing. Alfalfa is excellent. Referred top as the “king of herbs,” it’s chock-full of nutrients, amino acids and eight different enzymes. Take before meals as a digestive enzyme.

Ginseng is an adaptagen. That means it assists the body in coping with stress. Stress is a big factor in most people’s lives but particularly if you’re troubled with health issues, any reduction in stress will help.

Una de Gato (Cat’s Claw) is excellent for the immune system and for intestinal disorders.

Licorice root can supply the body with energy. It strengthens the adrenal glands and helps to expel mucus from the lungs. It also soothes intestinal inflammation and has a laxative effect. Licorice is usually taken in combination with other herbs. Use with caution as it can elevate blood pressure if used for an extended length of time.

Burdock and Dandelion root are both liver cleansers and powerful ones at that. A good liver cleanse is vital in restoring the health back to normal. The liver filters large amounts of toxins daily and it needs to be cleaned up every now and then so it can function well.

A cleansing fast is the best way to get back on track. It allows the digestive system to take a break and expel toxins from the system. The cells will once again be able to breathe and function.

I highly recommend some sort of cleanse. There is an abundance of information out there, but keep it simple and within your ability to do it successfully. (Tiao He Cleanse)

Of course, my article would not be complete if I did not harp on the old exercise routine. Exercise is so good for every single, solitary part of the body, including the mind. It helps to wheat out toxins, regulate the bowel, give a nice sheen to the skin and eyes, lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart, etc.

Allopathic medicine says allergies are for life, but that does not need to be so. We are the masters of our bodies and our minds and anything is possible. Just thinking about it isn’t enough, it takes work, ya know! Usually a lifestyle change is in order, but it truly is worth it.

Get yourself well and then help others to get well too!

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