Are there foods you love that don’t love you back? Does a painful, cramping stomach make you regret having that bowl of ice cream or that cheesy omelet? Food allergies are common in today’s world and can cause uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating symptoms. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergic reactions to food, give these natural remedies a try for relief!
Food Allergy Testing
First and foremost, you have to determine which (if any) foods you’re allergic to. There are a couple ways you can go about doing this:
Allergy Elimination Diet
While the most difficult way to go about testing for a food allergy, this is the most effective. To go on an allergy elimination diet means that you must eliminate foods you believe you might be allergic to, and then slowly reintroduce them to your diet one at a time. You normally have to abstain from eating or drinking the foods for two weeks before giving them a try again. This must be done one food or liquid at a time so you’re isolating the potential allergen. If done correctly, you will begin to feel better 5-7 days after a food allergen is out of your system. Also, it only takes 1-2 days to feel allergy symptoms after reintroducing it into your diet.
Blood Antibody Testing
An easier way to test for allergens is by performing a blood antibody test that involves mixing your blood with a variety of foods in a laboratory. You’ll receive a report that lists the amount of antibody found for each food tested. More than 100 foods can be tested this way and it’s more straightforward than the elimination diet.
Common Food Allergens
Doesn’t it seem like new food allergens pop up every week? It seems like there’s no safe place to turn in a grocery store for fear that you might encounter a food that your body finds disagreeable! Take a look at this list of common food allergens:
- Gluten
- Lactose
- Dairy
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Eggs
- Food colorings, flavorings, & preservatives
- Sugar
- Packaged foods with GMOs
Natural Remedies
Natural supplements and remedies can provide great relief if you suffer from food allergies. Give some of these a try in conjunction with the allergy elimination diet:
- Quercetin—a bioflavonoid that reduces inflammation in the gut
- Glutamine—an amino acid that heals the lining of the gut
- Milt thistle—an herbal medicine that protects and restores liver function
- Inulin—a vegetable fiber that promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut
- Digestive enzymes—aid the digestive system in fully breaking down food particles
- Probiotics—these good bacteria can help the immune system deal with food more favorably
- MSM—can keep allergens from entering the bloodstream
- Vitamin B5—supports adrenal function and helps with allergy control
- L-glutamine—helps repair leaky gut and boost immune health
- Peppermint essential oil—taken in capsule form, it can help treat IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Ways To Help Yourself
If your body seems to rebel every time you put food to your lips, here are some tips to help you avoid having a negative reaction to food:
- Eat green leafy vegetables—improves immune function
- Vary your diet—helps prevent the development of food allergies
- Eat chicken—a good mild protein
- Breastfeed your children—this is the best way to prevent your children from having food allergies
- Eat probiotic-rich foods—yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, tempeh, miso
Do you suffer from food allergies? If so, have you found any natural remedies that work? Share them with us and maybe you’ll help some of our readers avoid the blues of food allergy woes!
