When a person’s immune system over-reacts to a substance, treating the substance as a serious threat when it is normally harmless, the person is said to be having an allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from runny nose and watery eyes to a full-blown anaphylactic response.
Baby's Developing Immune System
The immune system is a complex system involving many glands and organs within the body. Optimal nutrition from the point of conception, through infancy, and into childhood provides the best support for the body’s immune system. Pregnant mothers offer their unborn children adequate immune protection by ensuring their own health through careful food choices.
Breast Feeding for Immunity
The introduction of solid foods before a baby’s digestive system is prepared to handle them can also lead to the development of allergies. Recent recommendations specify no solid foods, but breast milk or infant formula only for baby’s first four to six months. (See MayoClinic.com.) Check with your physician or naturopath before adding cereals to your baby’s diet.
Allergies and Immunizations
Though hard evidence is difficult to come by, it is thought that immunizations may also be connected to the development of allergies. The injection of vaccines into a child’s system is certainly an introduction of potential allergens and a tax on the developing immune systems of young children.
Exposure to Allergens
Frequent exposure to allergens combined with a weakened immune system can result in the development of allergies. Unavoidable environmental irritants like mold, dust, and chemicals, for example may over time result in forming allergies.
Leaky Gut and Allergies
Poor digestion and leaky gut syndrome are also possible causes of food allergies. Candida albicans, or the overgrowth of yeast in the body is connected with leaky gut syndrome.
Finding the Source of the Problem
An elimination diet may be helpful in determining the source of a food allergy. You may want to try the food allergy self-test described in Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by Balch and Balch (Avery Publishing Group Inc., Garden City Park, NY; 1990), which involves simply taking your pulse before and again fifteen to twenty minutes after the consumption of the suspect food. If your pulse rate increased more than ten beats per minute after ingesting the food you are testing, eliminate that food item for a month. Then do the test again.
Natural Management of Allergies
Following are points that have been found to be helpful in the natural management of allergies:
- Drink plenty of water between meals. Water is a natural anti-histamine. Ensuring that you are well hydrated increases your blood’s fluidity, improving elimination of and immune response to offending allergens. Some hay-fever sufferers have experienced almost instant relief from allergy symptoms simply by drinking one half to one liter of water.
- Strengthen your immune system. Eat a well-balanced whole food diet, concentrating on raw foods, which contain enzymes for digestion. Get adequate rest, sunlight, and exercise. Increase your consumption of antioxidant containing foods to your diet. Examples of these are blueberries, collard greens, and carrots.
- Keep a food diary. Keeping track of the foods you eat and your body’s response to them can help you to identify offending foods.
- Rotate foods over the course of at least a four day cycle. Some foods may need to be eliminated altogether, while others may be tolerated on a rotational basis.
- Eat simple meals. Avoid eating a great variety of foods at one meal. Stick to three or four foods in as natural a state as possible for each meal.
- Improve food digestion. Chew your food thoroughly and slowly. Eat in a calm, relaxing environment. Have a thankful attitude.
More Resources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch and Balch; Avery Publishing Group Inc., Garden City Park, NY; 1990.
Taste and See: Allergy Relief Cooking by Penny King; Published by author, 1988.
Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by Dr. Batmanghelidj; Global Health Solutions, Falls Church, VA; 1997.
Disclaimer: This article is for your information only. It is not intended to take the place of professional medical advice or care. Please consult a qualified physician with your health concerns.
