stop feeling sick!
We asked: What
supplements do you take to help with digestion or food intolerances?
Prebiotics for maintenance, kefir for digestive balance, and ginger tea for a stomachache. –Heather M.
Garden of Life Raw Probiotics for Women. I also use Garden of Life enzymes, and I make my own coconut water kefir. –Lois F.
Probiotics, enzymes, and HCl
[hydrochloric acid supplements]. –Myrna A.
I take saunf! An Indian ingredient [aka fennel seeds]. –Sunitha V.
Vinegar. Helps with heartburn. –Theresa M.
Sometimes I take a super
multienzyme before a big meal to help with digesting protein, fats, and carbs. –Katie K.
DigestMore enzymes by ReNew Life; super gentle. –Holly H.
2. Test for allergies
Once you’ve ruled out celiac, get tested for food allergies. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, food allergies can show up at any age, though they are far more common in babies and children (who often outgrow them). If you eat a food you’re allergic to, your immune system will immediately identify it as an invader and attack its proteins and polysaccharides by cranking out histamine, triggering allergic reactions such as swelling, rashes, runny nose, itchy eyes, and even anaphylaxis, a whole- body, potentially fatal backlash. About 4 percent of adults have a true food allergy. It’s rare, but possible, for a food allergy to cause GI issues only; skin and respiratory symptoms usually show up, too, says Wood. But sometimes symptoms are nearly undetectable. “With lower-grade allergies, there
may be no acute symptoms, but continued exposure can cause chronic GI inflammation and long-term problems,” Wood says. Plus, “allergies can definitely get worse; one reaction doesn’t predict the next one.” Tough tests aren’t 100 percent accurate, they can point you in the right direction.
“Blood or skin-prick testing [comes first] to see if there’s an immune reaction to food,” Wood says. And although tests might rule out some allergens, they may reveal an allergy to an unsuspected food—or several. Plus, finding out what you’re not allergic to lets you reintroduce a food you’ve been avoiding, as Parker did with dairy. If you have a food allergy: Any trace of a food allergen can trigger a response, Wood
says. He stresses strict avoidance, which requires diligence. “Complete avoidance can make a big difference in your day-to-day life—how close of attention you pay to ingredient labels and how much you quiz restaurants about their ingredients.” Te Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 made listing
common allergens in plain language mandatory on food packaging. But also keep an eye out for flours, syrups, sugars, and other ingredients derived from your allergen, and research additional foods that are made with or contaminated by it. ➻
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deliciousliving.com | may 2013
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