Naturopathic treatment has gained immense popularity in the last few years. It is a system of alternative medicine in which different ailments are treated without medicine. The main focus is on controlled diet, exercise, and massage. Many individuals are allergic to various food items. Knowing what to eat and avoid in such a situation becomes imperative.
To help diagnose food sensitivity or allergies, an elimination diet is prescribed. It is a standardised control tool to determine the allergens or whether somebody is sensitive to certain foods. The diet eliminates the food that triggers certain symptoms so that the individual can avoid them for the time being. Now, let’s learn more about the symptoms and how elimination diets are conducted.
- What are the symptoms of food sensitivity?
If you are sensitive to certain foods, consuming them can lead to – skin rash, headache, migraine, mouth swelling, stomach upset, indigestion, acid reflux, fatigue, mental dullness or a sensation of full-body heaviness. Some symptoms might be pretty vague, and it becomes difficult to pinpoint the exact food reacting to the body.
- Which are the top food allergens?
The top food allergens include soy, wheat, corn, dairy products, eggs, nightshades, tree and pine nuts. Some individuals also have specific food triggers to which they are allergic.
- Which are the safe foods?
If you are looking for safe food and want to eliminate allergens, consume vegetables, beans, fruits, and grains. You can also try out elimination diet-friendly recipes.
- What happens in an elimination diet?
In an elimination diet, the food that triggers specific symptoms is eliminated, and after a particular time, the food is again reintroduced to see whether the original symptoms return. Experts at Inner Gate Health and Wellness can help you learn the appropriate steps of an elimination diet.
- What happens when the food trigger is removed?
Some individuals are allergic to a specific food, and their bodies react differently to it. When they consume these foods, the immune system starts to attack the food allergen, resulting in a symptomatic reaction. If the food allergy is continued, it leads to cell wall separation, and the most significant food particles now get the chance to intrude. This can cause a more significant immune reaction; multiple complete allergens can trigger it simultaneously. However, when the trigger food is eliminated, the gut wall starts to heal, the immune system is back in place, and the symptoms heal, helping the individual recover.
- Why is the food reintroduced?
After the testing period or the elimination phase is over, you have to narrow down the food that is causing the allergy. In this case, the food is introduced individually to test whether the symptoms reoccur. So, if you have abnormal gas after eating an apple, you must eliminate it for a few weeks and then introduce it again. If the symptoms reappear, you are sure that it was the apple that was the allergies and no other that there were food items.
Summing it up
It is always better to talk to a doctor if you suspect a food allergy or if you are sensitive to certain foods. They can help you get proper treatment and understand why your body is reacting to the food. If you are severely allergic, an elimination diet can be used to test the primary condition, but it might not provide appropriate results for adverse cases, so discuss with a doctor to diagnose the food allergen.
