So probiotics are critically important from an early age. Another reason we may be seeing more food allergies is because our food is so much more processed. Wheat, for example, is now found in many foods you would never suspect such as lunch meats, soy sauce, and soups. Having constant exposure to common foods can cause reactions and intolerances.

Another common factor in the development of food allergies is a process known as "leaky gut". This occurs when improperly digested food particles cross the gut wall and constantly stimulate the immune system to launch a reaction. This can develop with insufficient digestion, overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as candida albicans, and mucosal insufficiency.

How can you test for food allergies?

I usually recommend the IgG food allergy test from one of the more reputable laboratories. It tests for over 90 foods and can be conveniently done at home. All it requires is a quick finger prick to collect 3 drops of blood and most kids won't even feel it. It is a relatively costly test, but most parents appreciate knowing which foods to avoid. Ask your health care practitioner about this test.

Alternatively, an elimination diet can also be helpful in identifying which foods your child reacts to. This process involves systematically avoiding key allergens such as dairy, gluten (the common allergen in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats) and eggs. After a period of 2-3 weeks the food is reintroduced while watching out for symptom recurrence. This is a bit more tedious as most of the time it is impossible to avoid all possible allergens

How can food allergies be treated?

The wonderful thing about children is that, for the most part, they are very resilient. Their bodies heal very quickly once allergies are identified.

I usually focus on allergy avoidance for a period of about 3 months while building up the immune system with natural products like probiotics and specific nutrients to stimulate proper immune response. I also often suggest a gut healing protocol to prevent further "leaky gut" and to improve digestion.

Page 2 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next