Food allergies are dangerous and can, sometimes, even be fatal. But, as of yet, there is no cure for food allergies. They can only be managed by avoiding coming in contact with allergens and by simply treating their symptoms. You can also take supplements to boost your immune system and to increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut, which can help decrease the development of food allergies and its symptoms. When you have an allergic reaction to a certain kind of food, its symptoms will typically appear within a few minutes to 2 hours of consuming the food, which may include vomiting, diarrhea, hives, skin rash, swelling of the tongue, face, lip, and throat, flushed skin, coughing, wheezing, and abdominal cramps.
If you experience any of the symptoms after eating a certain food, you should get an allergy treatment immediately. And if the symptoms progress, you should visit a nearby emergency room because if you a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, it may lead to the swelling of your throat, constriction of your airways, and severe lowering of your blood pressure sending you into shock. You will need a shot of adrenaline to help you recover. Since food allergies can also lead to other health issues, you should pursue the following allergy treatments.
1. Avoid Foods That Cause Inflammation
Certain foods increase the inflammation within your body and weaken your immune system and cause digestive issues. Such foods include packaged or processed foods that contain genetically modified organisms like soy, corn, canola, and vegetable oils. These foods may also contain other hidden ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction. You should also avoid excessive consumption of sugar as it may lead to a bacterial overgrowth in your system and may weaken your immune system, which can increase your chances of food intolerance. Since sugar also increases inflammation, it can increase the symptoms of food allergies. Foods containing artificial flavoring and gluten should also be avoided as they may also contribute to indigestion and inflammation.
2. Stay Away From Allergen Triggers
The most common foods that can trigger a reaction are cow’s milk, peanuts, soy, eggs, wheat, shellfish, tree nuts, citrus fruits, and fish. If you don’t know which of these foods you are allergic to, you can try and follow an elimination diet, in which you eliminate all these food items from your diet and then reintroduce them slowly one by one and see which of these foods are well-tolerated and which are not. An elimination diet will help you understand exactly what foods you need to avoid.
3. Have Supplements
You can take supplements that contain digestive enzymes, probiotics, l-glutamine, and vitamin B5. Certain food allergies can be caused by the incomplete digestion of food proteins. Digestive enzymes act as a vital remedy for such types of allergies as they help break down food completely. Probiotics increase the number of good bacteria in the gut, resulting in better digestion and immunity. Vitamin B5 supports adrenaline function, improves digestive health, and boosts immunity so that your body is less likely to react to allergens. And L-glutamine inhibits inflammation, repairs leaky gut, and boosts immunity.
4. Use Essential Oils
Using essential oils is also a great way of reducing the symptoms of food allergies. You can use peppermint oil to soothe your digestive tract and to reduce inflammation. You can apply it topically to your temples, abdomen, or bottom of your feet. You can also take it internally by placing 1 or 2 drops on the roof of your mouth or by drinking it by adding it to a glass of water. If your food allergy is causing breathing difficulties, you can breathe in eucalyptus essential oil using a diffuser as it opens up the lungs and sinuses and improves blood circulation, reducing the symptoms of food allergies.
5. Eat Non-Allergenic Foods
You should focus on eating foods that are least likely to cause allergic reactions in order to get proper nutrition and to boost your immune system. These foods include green, leafy vegetables, coconut milk, bone broth, probiotics, nut butter, seeds, and gluten-free grains.
