Allergy and food intolerance/sensitivity

September 12, 2000 by Linda Lazarides
Filed under Health issues

Some causative factors

Genetic predisposition
Gut dysbiosis
Nutritional deficiencies
Toxic overload.

The zinc and copper status of 43 allergic children suffering from asthma or eczema was compared with healthy children. The hair zinc level was lower in allergic children and the serum and hair copper levels were higher. The investigators conclude that allergic children seem to be particularly at risk of zinc deficiency. Di Toro R et al: Zinc and copper status of allergic children. Acta Paediatr Scand 76(4):612-7, 1987.

Immunological sequelae of magnesium deficiency in humans may be affected by genetic control of blood cell magnesium concentration. Abnomal complement activation, excess antibody production and susceptibility to allergy and to chronic fungal and viral infections have been reported. Galland L: Magnesium and immune function: an overview. Magnesium 7(5-6):290-9, 1988.

Many so-called food allergies may be caused by abnormalities of the intestinal bacteria, causing toxic chemical compounds to enter the blood. If these compounds only result from the digestion of one particular food, the patient may believe he has a food allergy. Hunter JO: Food allergy – or enterometabolic disorder. Lancet 338(8765):495, 1991.

Promising nutritional research

The flavonoids quercetin and fisetin were found to have anti-histamine properties in a study examining the effects of flavonoids on histamine release. Middleton E Jr et al: Flavonoid inhibition of human basophil histamine release stimulated by various agents. Biochem Pharmacol 33(21):3333-8, 1984.

Information compiled by Linda Lazarides
Naturopathic Nutritionist, Author, Educator