Allergies are unusually intense body reactions or responses to substances that do not typically cause harm in the general population. Common sources of allergic reactions include various foods and airborne particles such as pollen, dust and mold. In many cases, you can avoid these reactions by eating a diet that restricts potential problem foods.
Basics
More than 160 different foods commonly cause allergic reactions, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Eight of these foods --- fish, eggs, milk, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, tree-borne nuts and shellfish --- are responsible for roughly 90 percent of all food-related reactions. Any food that contains proteins from these sources is considered a major allergen. If you have an allergy to a given food, you will typically develop certain telltale symptoms within a short period of time after eating it. Potential food allergy symptoms include itching or tingling in your mouth, hives, rashes, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, coughing, breathing difficulties, swelling of your vocal cords or throat, and loss of consciousness.
Food Allergy Diet
If you suspect you have a food allergy, consult your doctor and/or a registered nutritionist, the Cleveland Clinic advises. With their help, you can identify potential sources of your allergy and devise a diet that will allow you to avoid these sources. Depending on the extent of your allergies, you may need to make minor or major adjustments in your eating patterns, in addition to taking nutritional supplements that help address any nutrient shortages caused by your new food requirements. You will also need to learn how to identify potentially harmful ingredients on food labels, as well as early symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Airborne Allergy Diet
If you have allergies to airborne substances such as pollen, ragweed, pet dander, mold, cockroach droppings, dust or dust mites, certain foods in your diet can trigger inflammation and increase the severity of your symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Common allergy intensifiers include highly processed foods, sugar, dairy products and various types of meat. In some cases, eliminating these foods from your diet may help ease or diminish your airborne allergy symptoms.
Supplements and Herbs
The UMMC lists a number of dietary supplements that may help reduce your airborne allergy symptoms, including a type of blue-green algae called spirulina, vitamin C, Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria and a plant pigment called quercetin. Herbs that may help reduce your symptoms include butterbur, stinging nettles and goldenseal. However, not all studies support the use of these substances and further research is needed to determine their full effects in combating allergies.
Considerations
Some individuals with food allergies also have airborne allergies, the UMMC notes. If you are pregnant or nursing, don't use herbal preparations or large doses of vitamin C without explicit advice from your doctor. If you have a known severe food allergy, seek medical attention at the first sign of an allergic reaction. In some cases, a minor allergic reaction to food can develop into a severe form of reaction called anaphylaxis. Consult your doctor for more information.
Member Comments