"An astonishing 45% of us believe we are allergic to basic foodstuffs such as wheat and dairy - causing anything from headaches to bloating and insomnia." (1) So how do we get to a stage of leaky gut?
It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) arise.
It is believed by many health practitioners Leaky gut is associated with one of the most common digestive problems; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
2. Definitions
Food allergy - Is a genetic condition that affects about 2% of the population. The reaction to the food can range from a rash to something very severe including anaphylactic shock. The RAST test confirms this by detecting the antibody (like IgE). Common foods associated with a genetic inherited allergy are: cows milk, soy, tree nuts, eggs, strawberries, bananas, chocolate, wheat, peanuts, fish, shell fish, beans and oranges. Those with a true food allergy if ever exposed to that food more than once will know about it. (2)
Food intolerance/sensitivity - Involves any adverse reaction to foods, but whereby the immune system's roll is uncertain because the standard tests appear negative. There are other tests including the ones outlined in the Daily Mail but the validity of many is questionable. (2)
So where does this leave the 45% who experience real problems like abdominal bloating, gas, diarrhoea after eating a particular food? Furthermore, according to the Allergy Clinic scientific studies have suggested that intolerance may trigger or worsen the symptoms of a range of common conditions including asthma, joint and muscle pains, headaches, migraines, sinusitis, hyperactivity, ADHD, chronic fatigue, and Crohn's Disease. (3)
Possible sources of food intolerance
There is a strong suggestion that the increased permeability of the gut wall, known as leaky gut syndrome (LGS), is behind food intolerance. The basic premise behind LGS is that large molecules pass through the weak (leaky) gut wall and enter into the bloodstream. This results in calling to arms the body's defensive mechanisms like white blood cells that produce antibodies to destroy the invaders.
So how do we get to a stage of leaky gut?
It is believed that through one of the most common digestive problems the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) arise.
According to Dr. Dan Rutherford, GP, IBS is the commonest condition seen by doctors and some estimates suggest that as many as one in five of the adult population in the UK suffer from it at any one time. (4)
So what is the source of IBS?
Experts give a range of probable causes including:
&bull Poor diet (including eating foods our bodies are not accustomed to) &bull Toxins &bull Lack of stomach acid or digestive enzymes &bull Drugs (antibiotics, cortisone) &bull Dysbiosis (leading to a bad bug overgrowth, e.g. Candida) &bull Stress &bull Inadequate chewing
As you can see this is a controversial topic because of the lack of hard evidence.
The Daily Mail (Tuesday, March 7th, 2006) contained an article called "The Allergy Fraud" from the reporter Charlotte Dovey. After receiving a RAST test (a blood test indicating an allergy) from a Harley Street doctor she was told she suffered from no food allergies. Then Ms Dovey compared the RAST result with other various methods of allergy detection from alternate medicine practitioners. Or as the reporter put it: entered the "wacky world of food intolerance testing".
Now Ms Dovey, who was told by various alternate practitioners that she was intolerant to a range of foods like wheat, dairy and citrus (when the RAST test showed no allergies) concludes: "if I took this advice, my diet could be dangerous. Basics such as wheat, gluten, sugar and lactose are staples". (However this I believe is an incorrect statement as I have personally seen amazing transformations from people giving up two commonly considered intolerances; wheat and dairy.)
What is interesting to note is the health columnist for the Daily Mail is Dr. John Briffa, author of Bodywise. Dr. Briffa is widely regarded as one of Britain's foremost experts in the field of natural health. His book is an excellent source on the various causes of excess weight including food intolerance.
Dr. John Briffa has come up with a 10 question test as a guide to whether food intolerance may be a problem for you.
The following questionnaire is designed to help you ascertain whether food sensitivity is a problem for you. Score each question as indicated, and then add up your total score.
1. Do you feel lethargic soon after eating? No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
2. Do you often feel better if you don't eat? No 0 points Marginally better 2 points Much better 4 points
3. Did you have problems such as colic, glue ear, ear infections, eczema, asthma or recurrent tonsillitis as a child? No 0 points Yes, occasional problems 3 points Yes, frequent and/or severe problems 5 points
4. Do you have recurrent, unexplained symptons? No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
5. Do you suffer from excess mucus or catarrh formation in the throat, nose or sinuses? No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
6. Do you feel particularly drawn to certain foods such as bread or cheese? No 0 points Occasionally 2 points Frequently 4 points
7. Do you have dark circles under your eyes? No 0 points Yes 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
8. Do you suffer from fluid retention? (Tight rings, puffy face or ankles and a weight which fluctuates by two or more pounds from day to day are classic signs.) No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
9. Do you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome? No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 1 points Frequent or severe problems 2 points
10. Do you suffer from eczema, hives (urticaria) or undiagnosed rash? No 0 points Occasional or mild problems 2 points Frequent or severe problems 4 points
Interpreting your score 0-9:food sensitivity is unlikely10-20:food sensitivity should be considered as a possibility and testing is recommended21 and above:food sensitivity is very likely and testing is highly recommendedSo what are the options if you have food sensitivity? Apart from the various tests conducted by allergy clinics a food elimination diet is one of the most common methods practitioners use.
Your 3d Coach Craig Burton
References 1. The Allergy Fraud, Charlotte Dovey, Daily Mail, March 7th, 2006 2. Nutrition and lifestyle coach manual, Level 2, Chek Institute, 2002 3. www.allergyclinic.co.uk 4. www.netdoctor.co.uk 5. Bodywise, Dr. John Briffa, CIMA books, 2000
Most of us think that the inner ear is the sole responsibility for maintaining balance. In fact, proper balance is attributed to several body systems working together to keep us steady, and when one of these systems does not work properly, it can lead to dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance. Ultimately, the brain is responsible for maintaining balance but it relies heavily on inputs from the inner ear, the eyes, certain muscles, tendons and joints, and lastly, even blood circulation aids the brain in keeping balance.
It's well known that a disturbance in the inner ear causes balance problems. There are five delicate canals within the inner ear that are sensitive to any directional change. Three canals are responsible for detecting changes in rotation. The other two canals are responsible for any change in front to back, up and down, and side to side movement. The information sent from these sensory canals is used by the brain to keep us oriented as to where we are in relation to the space around us.
The eyes have two systems in place that communicate with the brain about balance. One is called the pursuit system; it allows us to focus objects using the eyes' central visual receptors. The other system locates items in our peripheral vision and speeds up our eye movement so those objects are brought into our central field of vision. This is called the saccadic (sa-KAH-dic) system. Problems that affect the eyes, like cataracts, also affect our balance.
The third system that contributes to our balance and prevents dizziness is the muscles, the attaching tendons, and our joints. They have receptors that respond to pressure changes and position changes.
Adequate blood circulation is crucial to balance. Whenever we change positions from sitting or lying down to standing up, blood vessels contract to keep blood from pooling in the lower body. The vessels in the neck and lower part of the brain offer low resistance to the blood the heart pumps out regularly, allowing a continual supply of blood to reach the brain.
The brain utilizes all the feedback it receives from all these systems to maintain balance and it does it without our having to think about it. When running or jumping, our eye position is automatically adjusted so the environment around us doesn't jump around or shift position. If we trip over something, brain signals are sent out to adjust the activity of our muscles so we're able to recover before actually falling. And for many activities we repeat a lot, our brain learns to recognize the pattern and actually anticipates the next move.
Of course, it follows a natural progression that if our muscles are tense and not allowing enough blood to the brain, or if the blood that reaches the brain is deficient in oxygen, our sense of balance can become compromised and we may experience dizziness or vertigo. Some people are so bothered by dizzy spells the quality of their life is affected.
I've developed a simple exercise plan to eliminate dizziness or vertigo caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders that prevents adequate blood from reaching the brain. My Vertigo and Dizziness Program directly addresses these causes of dizzy spells by strengthening those muscles and increasing the amount of oxygen we take in through easy breathing exercises.
You can find natural relief from dizziness by using my Vertigo and Dizziness Program, often as rapidly as overnight. The simple exercises are easy to learn and take only a few minutes each day to perform. You'll enjoy the results for a lifetime.
Both Craig Burton & Christian Goodman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Craig Burton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alternative Medicine, Guided Meditation and Fitness. Article by Craig Burton. Craig is a prominent European based holistic health and fitness coach and founder of 3D Personal Training Systems. Craig is a Sports Science graduate with postgraduate accreditations in nutrition, massage, athletic training,. Craig Burton's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Christian Goodman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Cure Anxiety and Blood Pressure. Christian Goodman is a well known natural health researcher and the creator of the blog. His latest invention is the. Christian Goodman's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.