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Allergy Medical Considerations
Medical Considerations
Digestive Enzymes: Must have a very high quality, preferably broad spectrum formula, for rapid and complete digestion of foods, to prevent developing possible food allergies.
Food Allergy Testing: The most accurate and thorough food allergy lab test uses blood serum to measure antibody titers against common foods.
Environmental Allergy Lab Testing: Different clinics and doctors use varying methods. It is best to shop around.
Allergies refer to specific types of immune responses to particular substances. The medical classification of allergic response is somewhat complex and will not be reviewed here. Suffice to say, allergic responses result from an immune system that is "over reactive" to a specific inhalant, chemical or food. Scientifically speaking, sensitivities differ from true allergies, as they do not fall into one of the known allergic antibody responses. Regardless, they cause similar suffering among affected individuals. Allergies or sensitivities to food and chemicals result in a wide array of symptoms. There could be different reasons why some people have greater sensitivities and / or allergies to certain foods, and / or their environment. Part may be genetic. Part may be a weak constitution. Part might be due to weak adrenal glands. There is a known tendency for people with weakened adrenal glands to be more sensitive to foods, and to their environment. Part of a medical visit should be a review of adrenal function and / or adrenal hormone tests. Another causative factor could be due to a "leaky gut." "Leaky Gut" refers to intestines, which are "leaking" undigested foods (proteins) into the blood stream. When the body finds these undigested proteins in the blood, it treats them as foreign invaders. White blood cells try to capture and masticate the substances, while the body also sets up a histaminic (allergic) reaction. One of the common causes for a leaky gut is a "Systemic Candidiasis Infection." In a Systemic Candida Infection, the Candida bacterium in the intestines over-populates. When it over-populates it then turns into a second life cycle, which is a mold. The mold "roots" itself into the intestinal walls via "rhizomes" which are essentially tiny roots. As the tiny roots penetrate the intestinal walls, it produces areas were undigested proteins can leak into the blood stream, setting up the reactions spoken of. Further information can be found in our section on Candida Infections.
The use of digestive enzymes, taken with each meal, can be of great benefit. Plant digestive enzymes are active under any pH the stomach will encounter and are not dependant upon the stomach first lowering its pH with every meal before the enzymes begin to work. If the foods are digested quickly and completely, then less allergic reactions are likely. However the enzymes must be of a very high quality, must be 100% plant based, and generally should be broad spectrum.
The main digestive enzymes are Protease, Amylase, and Lipase. Protease digests proteins; Amylase digests carbohydrates; and Lipase digests lipids or fats. Sensitive stomachs (ulcers) can be sensitive to the protease enzyme. In such cases, the patient should choose a broad-spectrum enzyme formula that does contain protease, and gradually work up to a formula with protease. Further information can be obtained in our section on Enzymes.
Food allergies can manifest in either an immediate reaction, or a delayed reaction. Immediate reactions are called "IgE" reactions, and delayed reactions are called "IgG" reactions. Immediate reactions are easy to recognize as very soon after eating a food you are allergic to, you have a reaction that occurs every time you eat that food. The delayed reactions are very difficult to recognize since it can take up to four (4) days for the reactions to occur. For this reason the most popular food allergy blood test is the "IgG 4" test. The results are clearly listed: Usually 96 food foods are listed with the amount of your personal allergy towards each food. What is measured in the blood is the amount of antibody titers against each food. Antibody titers refers to how many antibodies your body has produced in relation to each food. The more antibodies produced by your body is the same as the amount of reaction you will experience if you consume those foods. The greater your hyper-reactiveness to certain foods equals the greater the number of antibodies that are present in your blood. Titer refers to the amount, expressed in medical terms. The "IgG 4" tests are for delayed reactions to foods, and are the most common test. Delayed reactions to food allergies can take up to 4 days to manifest. "IgE" tests are for immediate reactions.
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DISCLAIMER This information is provided for Educational Purposes Only and has NOT been designed to diagnose, treat or cure any health conditions. Please consult a qualified Health Care Professional with Nutritional Training to diagnose your health conditions and avoid self-diagnosis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions.
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