How much do you love to eat? Are you a heavy eater or a picky eater? Are you adventurous when it comes to food? What kind of exotic food have you tried so far? No matter what your preference, eating is a natural thing for us. It is a basic necessity that enriched our body with much-needed nutrients and fuels it up to be in action on whatever task or activity you have for the day.
Though, food is no exception to the possibility of causing harm to our bodies. Just like a double-edged sword, one must give proper attention to the food one eats. After all, it is not only dedicating yourself to exercise which could help you shape your body into a healthy one. So you must be wary of the chances of being subjected to certain allergies.
Many people do suffer from certain allergies which are caused by pollutants like dust, pet hair, and even contact with particular chemicals from the things we have at home or our workplace. Once you suffer from any allergy, the result is quite difficult to handle. You tend to experience itchiness, coughing, sneezing fits, congestion, and watery eyes. Any of these signs of allergic reaction is something you would want to avoid. So let us share with you the importance of knowing the threat of food allergy to your body, the impact it may cause on your health, and ways how to prevent it!
What You Need to Know
Food allergy is something not to be taken lightly. Just because you started wheezing after eating a pizza can’t be instantly called an allergy. So it is important to understand what covers a legit food allergy; since there is a difference between food allergy and food sensitivity.
The immune system is the one that governs an allergic reaction due to being in control of our antibodies which seek the negative invaders like bacteria and viruses. Once you eat a particular food that you are allergic to, your body initially identifies that specific food protein to be dangerous thus calling forth the antibody immunoglobin E (IgE) to take action and essentially attacks it. This will then lead to an onslaught of chemicals or proteins inside your body and eventually trigger the symptoms of an allergy such as the standard reaction of wheezing, watery eyes, swelling, difficulty in breathing, and even trouble swallowing.
Meanwhile, food sensitivity and food intolerance are not the same. As such, the response of your immune system when you are subjected to food sensitivity typically pertains to an upset stomach as well as constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and mild abdominal pain. On the other hand, food intolerance refers to the lack of enzymes which plays a big role in breaking down a part of the food. So if you are battling out a headache after eating, then it is not a food allergy but rather most likely to be a sign of food sensitivity. Plus allergic reactions do happen instantaneously wherein it peaks and ends for about 30 minutes starting from the time count of exposure.
Signs of Food Allergies
Kids may be prone to experiencing food allergies however it is also common for adults. Some grown-ups even first experienced it when they are already in their adulthood. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you must be a kid to have the first reaction, because you may be around in your early 30s when you first learn that you are allergic to a specific food.
But don’t be afraid of eating. You must also be careful in identifying if you are indeed experiencing a food allergy. Just because you feel unwell after eating doesn’t give you a 100% right to assume that it’s an allergy. Don’t simply declare that you have a food allergy without even seeing and being referred to a doctor.
So to avoid falling into the misconception of entire deprivation of such type of food, you must learn the signs of a Food Allergy.
Getting a stomachache or feeling queasy isn’t enough to declare that you are experiencing a food allergy. Rather than that, specific reactions will be the warning bells you must be aware of! First, you must know the potential origins or root causes of a food allergy.
- Vitamin D deficiency
Since it is the immune system that handles the antibodies which are responsible to fight off the bacteria and viruses that may invade your body, it is also the starting point wherein you must check and build a stronger wall of protection. That is why it is important to strengthen your immune system and vitamin D plays a key role in its function. Low levels of Vitamin D will increase the chances of being subjected to food allergies.
- Lack of exposure
There have been some studies that promote of having a lack of exposure to a particular food may be a reason for a person to develop a certain food allergy to it. So in case, an individual, starting the day of his/her infancy has never been in contact with allergens like for example with nuts, there is a possibility of allergy development towards nuts. However, in certain cases, it is not just about eating which may cause an allergic reaction. It may also come in form of touching the nuts, using a product with peanut essence like in skin care items, and even breathing peanut dust.
- Good bacteria versus Bad bacteria
Healthcare professionals and research studies have also suggested that gut microbiome may also come into consideration as a possible root cause of such allergy. It is because good bacteria and bad bacteria may be affected or altered by antibiotics including dietary habits. Then it all comes back to the immune system because boosting the good bacteria helps your immune system to function well and be able to resist allergies.
Counter-moves to Cope and Prevent Food Allergies
What’s the best way to handle and prevent food allergies? Here are the counter-moves you must keep in mind!
Don’t self-diagnose. It is important to not panic and abruptly make a decision because if you guess wrong, you might be using an allergy medication against a cold. However, you must not ignore allergies. So if you are confused about the symptoms what you need to do is get a correct diagnosis from a doctor who can prescribe you the right medication. It is very crucial to visit an allergist to confirm if it is truly a symptom of a food allergy.
You also have to be patient and well-prepared for any situation. So it is best to get tested for allergies. This will prepare you and have you well-informed about your wellness. But you must be patient in waiting for the result because normally an allergist thoroughly works on a very detailed medical history investigation process. As such, it often starts with a skin test, then backed up with blood tests, and may even require for multiple rounds of testing. Nevertheless, it is a good way of investing to secure your health.
Though healthy eating also means being wary of the food you eat. So be mindful of food allergies. Have a deeper connection with food. Discover more of what they can do and how they can affect your body and wellness.
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