Look Deeper for Source of Food Allergies
By Dr. Emma Norton, ND
Salud Integrative Medicine
An allergen is any substance that triggers a reaction from our body — it can be something found in the environment like dust, pollen and mold or in the food we eat. If our body is sensitive to an allergen then an exposure will cause the immune system to produce antibodies that then release additional substances, which often leads to symptoms.
The antibodies that form in the body can cause an immediate reaction like hives or a runny nose or a delayed reaction (headaches, joint pain, and constipation are common). A delayed reaction is also called a “hidden” reaction.
Is it possible that hidden food allergies can be responsible for feeling unwell? Most people associate an allergy with the seasons or common food allergies, like shellfish and peanut. These allergies are considered to be immediate reactions of the immune system.
Yet the delayed immune reaction is often unrecognized and diagnosed because it is a delayed reaction. A delayed reaction to food could manifest as anything from pain in the joints, headaches, constipation, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and a host of others.
There are several approaches to determine if and which foods may be causing undesirable responses from our bodies. A nutritional counselor can customized a personalized allergy test. Food should nourish our bodies, not aggravate and cause illness.
