Food Allergy Rescue

Certain Supplements May Ease Food Allergies and Intolerances

- Michael T. Murray, ND

Digestive com-plaints affect nearly 100 million Americans. In most cases, the symptoms reflect disturbed digestive function or food intolerance rather than an underlying disease. Functional gastro intestinal disorders include occasional indigestion or heartburn, dyspepsia, excessive flatulence, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Supporting digestion with the help of digestive enzymes and other natural approaches is often the best route to eliminating these bothersome (and sometimes embarrassing) symptoms.

WHAT CAUSES FOOD ALLERGIES?

A food allergy or food intolerance occurs when there is an adverse reaction to the ingestion of a food. In a classic food allergy, the immune system is involved, producing a true allergic reaction that can potentially result in severe symptoms—including anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing. In a food intolerance, the immune system is not involved; symptoms are generally less serious and often limited to digestive problems.

A classic food allergy occurs when an ingested food molecule acts as an antigen—a substance that can be bound by an antibody. Antibodies are the protein molecules made by white blood cells that bind to foreign substances, in this case, various components of foods. Allergic reactions can be delayed or immediate. Immediate allergic reactions can be quite serious and potentially life-threatening, as food antigens bind to specialized white blood cells that release histamines, which cause swelling and inflammation.