Food allergies occur when the immune system releases excessive antibodies to a specific food. This reaction leads to the formation of immune complexes, which can become deposited all over the body . Avoiding foods that cause such a reaction can lead to these immune complexes becoming dislodged and causing aggravation, and the British Institute of Allergy and Environental Therapy explains that it may take five days of avoiding a food before you feel better.
Cravings
The body appears very capable of self-medicating when withdrawal symptoms begin to show. While exact symptoms may vary from person to person, a craving for the problem food stands out as a common theme. So says Stephen Levine Ph.D., a contributor to Springboard 4 Health, who notes that individuals may subconsciously know that this food may cause the release of opiod enkaphalins, which act as painkillers, and temporarily remove the withdrawal symptoms they get whenever they go without this food for several days.
Multiple Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are likely to vary as much as the symptoms manifested in allergic conditions. The BIAET notes that the symptoms of allergy range from catarrh, backache and swollen glands to mouth ulcers, aching joints and hyperactivity. With 70 percent of your immune system's cells located in the intestines, it stands to reason that changes in the challenge of the immune system may result in some sort of disturbance in the digestive tract. Many individuals who remove problem foods report abdominal discomfort.
Dizziness
Any clearance of immune complexes from the central nervous system has the capability to evoke changes in the way we feel. In his book “The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance,” Jonathan Brostoff notes that changes to the way you feel often follow the withdrawal of problem foods, including changes in perception, dizziness and general fatigue. He says that these reactions tend to peak after three days, and may last for around 24 hours. To reduce the likelihood of severe symptoms, Brostoff recommends removing problem foods one at a time.
References
- “The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance”; Jonathan Brostoff; 1998
- British Institute of Allergy and Environmental Therapy: Food Intolerance
- Springboard 4 Health: Food Addiction, Allergy and Overweight
