Food Allergies on The Rise. But Why?

Many More Reported Cases
Food allergies are on the rise for both children and adults. About 12 million Americans
have some degree of food allergy. Severe food allergies trigger 30,000 emergency room
visits and 150 to 200 deaths a year. The incidence of food allergies is increasing, but
nobody really knows why. Food allergies can force you to eat a less varied selection of
foods. Over the long term this restriction can lead to potential vitamin and mineral
deficiencies. Some studies suggest about four percent of the U.S. population, more than
11 million people, have food allergies. Ten years ago, that figure was believed to be
only one percent. In the United States, the most common food allergies in adults and
children are cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and nuts.

Why the Increase?

Some researchers say the increasing numbers are caused by a spike in allergy reports due
more to awareness than an actual increase in food allergies. Health problems become more
"trendy" as increased information is presented in the press and on television. Other
scientists believe it may have to do with birth trends. In a study of Norwegian children
with allergic mothers who had C-section deliveries, the rate of perceived and objectively
confirmed allergies to a variety of foods was seven-fold higher than non C-section
deliveries. Others talk about poor dietary habits and chemically laden food that can
comprises a large part of our diet as being the culprit. Who's right?

Physiology of a Food Allergy

In a food-allergic reaction, your immune system overreacts to specific food proteins. In
ordinarily circumstance, these proteins do not cause a problem and are just digested and
absorbed normally into the body. Food proteins only become a problem when your immune system is hypersensitive and these proteins are misread as invaders. In response to the proteins, certain immune cells produce antibodies which in turn stimulate the protective cells of your immune system to release histamines. Histamines are powerful chemicals that cause your body to fight what is considered "the invading protein." Symptoms of the histamine reaction can develop within minutes or up to several hours after eating and include itchiness of the mouth, facial and tongue swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting and in extreme cases, a drop in blood pressure [anaphylactic shock].

The Unexplored Cause

High stress living and its ability to strongly over-stimulate your immune system is
rarely talked about as a cause for food allergies. Chronic stress makes your immune
system hypersensitive and more prone to react abnormally to everyday substances. The more stress your body is under, the more adrenaline is released into the blood stream. When the immune system is constantly on "high alert," many normal proteins, such as in food, can be mistaken for invaders and attacked.

One of the important things to remember about food allergies is they can develop and
they can go way. Food allergy reactions are also closely related to the asthma, seasonal
allergies and some forms of arthritis. The good thing about food allergies is that many
people will naturally out grow them. If you are having trouble with food allergies,
asthma and arthritis, there are safe and effective methods to naturally balance your
immune system and help it functional normally again.

Simple Solutions to Reduce Food Allergies

Drinking more water, up to half your body weight in ounces, is a great way to purify
your system. Simple relaxation and breathing activities, along with massage have been
shown to help reduce stress. Meditation and visualization are good ways to assist your
body in normalizing the immune system reactions. Regular, fun activity boosts serotonin
and reduces cortisol levels helping you feel more relaxed. Healthier eating and
detoxification programs reduce the chemical load on the body improving digestion and
reducing sensitivities.