Eggs are a common food allergy

Food allergy testing is one of the tools Naturopathic Doctors use to assess health in our patients.  In Naturopathic Medicine our goal is to find the cause of symptoms of illness and disease.  In some people the cause is the food we eat, and a sensitivity or allergy to those foods.  In this article I will answer some of the most common questions people have regarding food allergy testing.

I would know if I had food allergies or intolerances, right?

Not necessarily.  Although you are likely to know if you have an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts or eggs, you may not know if you have a less severe food allergy or intolerance.

What are the symptoms of food allergies and intolerances?

Food allergies and sensitivities can have an incredibly wide range of symptoms including:

Almonds and other nuts can cause food allergies

How can food intolerances cause such a range of symptoms?

The majority of our immune system is found in our digestive tract.  When a food we have an allergy or intolerance to is eaten the immune system makes and releases powerful chemical agents – such as histamines, cytokines, lymphokines, and interferons.  These hormone-like substances dramatically influence our cellular physiology producing diverse effects on the digestive, endocrine, immune and nervous system.

Deficiencies in digestive enzymes (hydrochloric acid or pancreatic enzymes) are also significant contributors to food intolerances.  When proteins (the most common allergens) are not fully digested into individual amino acids, or smaller dipeptides, they retain their full allergic potential.  These incompletely digested proteins are more likely to cause a heightened immune response and a resulting allergic reaction.

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

True food allergies cause atopic hypersensitivity reactions including airway closure, thoat swelling, tongue swelling, hives and other severe symptoms leading to anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening.  They often begin during childhood and may be present for life.

Food intolerances or sensitivities do not often cause these severe symptoms but cause other non-specific or generalized symptoms (as outlined above).  Food intolerances are often the root cause of complex symptom pictures that are not readily diagnosed by conventional methods of testing.  Food intolerances can develop at any age and may or may not be present for life.

How are food allergies or intolerances tested for?

There are several methods of testing for food sensitivities/ intolerances.

 1.    Elimination Diet

Often the first method of determining the presence of food intolerances.  A hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory diet is consumed for a set period of time (usually 6 weeks).  All the most common allergenic foods are eliminated and the patient self-monitors for improvements in symptoms.  Foods are re-introduced one at a time after the initial period of restriction.  If symptoms arise on reintroducing the food then a food intolerance is suspected.

Advantages: Promotes a general sense of well-being, high level of patient involvement in their health.

Disadvantages: Does not eliminate all potential sources of intolerance.  Requires compliance with a restricted diet for a period of time.  Can be expensive (the cost of egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, organic food adds up quickly).

2.    Electrodermal Food Allergy Testing

A machine is held by the patient and the electrical frequencies of food are tested against the body’s reaction to those foods (the brain interprets the electrical signal and elicits a skin resistance response which is read by the machine).

Advantages: Painless.  Children can be tested easily.   A clear outline of food intolerances and the severity of intolerances is given.  Foods do not have to have been consumed recently for valid results (although accuracy is increased if they have been consumed recently or are consumed frequently).

Disadvantages: Moderately expensive.  Some practitioners do not accept the validity of the testing method.  Test accuracy relies on technician proficiency.

Tomatoes and other nightshades are common allergies

 3.    IgG Food Allergy Testing

A finger-prick blood test is analyzed by a specialized laboratory to assess for IgG (immunoglobulin G – one of two antibodies produced during an allergic response). IgG antibodies are produced for several hours or days after exposure to an allergen (which is one of the reasons why some symptoms of allergy/intolerance don’t occur immediately after eating a food).

Advantages: Gives a clear outline of food intolerances and the severity of the intolerance.  Tests for a wide variety of commonly consumed foods.  Only a small amount of blood is required for the test and it can be done in office or at home.  Antihistamine use is permitted during the test.

Disadvantages: Can be expensive.  Food must be consumed within 3 weeks prior to the test for an accurate reading.  Immunosuppressant drugs (prednisone, chloroquine and azothioprine) must not be used during the testing.

In my Toronto clinic I use only the elimination diet and IgG food allergy blood test to assess for food allergies or sensitivities.  Clinically I have found these two tests to be the only measures of food allergy to accurately identify allergies and have a corresponding improvement in patient symptoms.

Why is this testing different than that provided by my MD or allergist?

Most severe, immediate allergy symptoms are a result of IgE (immunoglobulin E) – responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions in which a food antigen attaches to an IgE antibody and results in an immediate, and potentially life-threatening, hypersensitivity reaction.  Because of this many MDs have limited their testing to this class of immunoglobulins.

There is considerable evidence for IgE testing, but there is also abundant evidence that IgG (immunoglobulin G) is an important marker for allergy testing.  IgG and IgG-complexes are involved in 80% of all food allergy reactions.  IgG is involved in delayed immune responses which are more common in food intolerance.

How are food allergies treated?

Once the food allergies are identified successful treatment requires five essential components:

1. Avoidance of identified allergens/ intolerances
2. Rotation diet until sensitivity is decreased
3. Re-establishment of proper intestinal flora
4. Healing the damaged intestinal mucosa
5. Correction of underlying cause (e.g. maldigestion, insufficient enzymes)

Nutritional and botanical supplements are used to support the body as it repairs and regenerates damaged tissue.  Supplemental enzymes may be used short term to support digestion as the body works towards correcting imbalances.

Why should I have food allergy/ intolerance testing done?

Oranges and other citrus are common food allergens

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, or if you have symptoms that are persistent and unresponsive to treatment then you should consider having food allergy testing done.

One of the best reasons to have food allergy/ intolerance testing done is because you can cure the intolerance.  When you consume foods that you are intolerant to you are creating a state of inflammation (a product of immune system activation) in your digestive tract and other systems in your body.  When you take out the food intolerance, and give your body time and support to heal the damaged tissues in many cases (up to 80%) you can resume eating that food in moderate quantities.

How can I learn more about food allergy testing?

At 360 Health Care I offer Rocky Mountain Analytical’s IgG Food Allergy test.  They offer more information here.  You can also book a complimentary 15 minute consult with me to discuss whether or not food allergy testing would benefit your health.

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.

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Candida (Candida albicans) is a yeast that is a normal part of our digestive flora (the bacteria that lives in our digestive tract) and in the vaginal region in women.  Under certain circumstances the candida yeast can grow excessively and lead to symptoms that negatively impact our health.

What Are the Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

Candida overgrowth (also known as chronic candidiasis, systemic candidiasis or chronic yeast infection) affects multiple systems of the body, resulting in diverse symptoms.  All of the following symptoms have been attributed to candida overgrowth:

Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

How Do I Know if Candida is A Problem for Me?

Candida overgrowth is best diagnosed by a qualified health care professional who is knowledgable about candida.  A comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA) may be recommended to determine levels of candida in your digestive tract.  A good screening test for candida overgrowth is the Candida Quiz.  This questionnaire has been found to correlate well with clinical symptoms of candida and is the first step in determining if candida may be contributing to your health concerns.  A longer form candida questionnaire is available from your Naturopathic Doctor, or may be downloaded as a pdf here Candida Questionnaire

Candida Quiz

If your score is greater than 40 candida may be contributing to your health.
If your score is greater than 60 candida is almost certainly contributing to your health.

How is Candida Overgrowth Treated?

The approach to treating candida overgrowth is individualized and often includes a multi-faceted approach.  For example, a person may be given an Anti-Candida diet to follow, a probiotic supplement to provide healthy bacteria, a botanical (herbal) formula to kill the yeast and a fiber supplement to support proper digestion and elimination of the bacteria.  This protocol should be individualized to each person – focusing on their overall health, specific symptoms, and quantity of candida overgrowth.  It is recommended that you seek care of a Naturopathic Doctor rather than try to treat candida on your own.

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.

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There are many types of headaches

Oww… My Head Hurts

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints.  Almost every person will experience a headache at some point during their life (imagine being one of the few who never gets a headache!)

The majority of headaches can be classified as vascular (migraine and cluster headaches), tension headaches or a mixture of the two.  Less frequent causes of headaches include trauma, dental pain, jaw disorders, neck disorders, sinus pain and tumours.

So, with so many different types of headaches, knowing what kind of headache you have is important for you to understand and will have a big impact on conventional and Naturopathic treatment of your headache.

The Most Common Headaches

The most common headache types seen in clinical practice are (from most to least common):

• Tension Headache
• Chronic Daily Headache
• Migraine
• Cluster Headache

Important Features to Know About Your Headache

When trying to determine what type of headache you have there are a number of features you should consider.

1. Onset: Does the headache come on suddenly, or slowly over the course of several hours?
2. Regularity: Does the headache start at the same time everyday?
3. Laterality: Is the headache on one side, both sides, or everywhere?
4. Location: Where is the pain the worst?  At the back of the head, top of the head, sides of the head, base of the neck, behind the eyes, or elsewhere?
5. Pain characteristic: How would you describe the pain?  Dull, band-like, throbbing, pounding, excruciating?
6. Associated symptoms: Are there any other symptoms associated with the headache?  Any muscle tension, blurred vision, nausea, sensitivity to light, need to move around?
7. Aggravations: Have you found anything that makes the headache worse?
8. Ameliorations: Have you found anything that makes the headache better?

Determining Your Headache Type

Taking your answers to the questions above you can match the type of headache that most closely matches the features of your headache.

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What To Do Now?

So now that you have an idea of what kind of headache you have, where do you go from here?  The answer to that is more difficult.  Each type of headache has a different cause and a different treatment.  And each headache sufferer will respond to different interventions.  One person may need additional nutritional support, another person may need relaxation exercises and regular massage therapy, another may respond best to botanical medicine.

This is where Naturopathic Medicine can be extremely helpful for headache sufferers.  Each person is treated as an individual.  Your Naturopathic Doctor will help you determine the root cause of your headaches, and treat accordingly.  A Naturopath will figure out why you have headaches and remove that imbalance, helping you strive for a headache-free life.

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.

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Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches are considered by the medical community (and sufferers) to be one of the most painful chronic conditions.  They are not as common as migraine or tension type headaches, affecting approximately 1 in 1000 people.  Only one in five cluster headache sufferers (or “clusterheads” as they often call themselves) are women.

Cluster headaches have a distinct pattern of symptoms:

• Rapid onset of one-sided pain (usually around the eye or the temple)
• Pain is excruciating and lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours
• Can happen at any time of day but often occurs 2 hours after going to bed
• Associated symptoms can include: tearing, red eyes, puffy eyelids, stuffy/ runny nose, facial sweating, and drooping eyelids
• Headaches occur in clusters with headaches occurring frequently over the course of several weeks, followed by a headache-free interval of 6 months to a year.  Clusters often occur in the late winter (February) and autumn.
• Some cluster headache sufferers have chronic headaches with no headache-free intervals.

The bulk of medical research on headache treatments focuses on migraine type headaches and cluster headache sufferers are left to try a variety of different pharmaceuticals in an attempt to find relief from their pain.

Emerging research on natural treatment options for cluster headaches has been encouraging.  Used alone or in conjunction with drug therapies many cluster headache sufferers may find greater relief from the pain of cluster headaches.  Below is a list of some of the most promising natural treatment options currently available.

Note: Natural medicines are still medicines and should be taken under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.

Capsaicin (Cayenne pepper)

Patients at the New England Center for Headache experienced a decrease in cluster headache intensity after applying capsaicin cream inside their nostrils.

Capsaicin is the active component of cayenne pepper and acts as a pain reliever by stimulating pain sensing C nerve fibers and rapidly depleting the substances these fibers use to convey pain signals to the brain.  The capsaicin causes a burning sensation for approximately 10 minutes which must occur for the treatment to be effective.  The burning sensation will decrease with subsequent applications.  Use the capsaicin cream on the same side as the headache for best effects.

Melatonin

Cluster headache sufferers often have a lower than average level of melatonin, especially during a cluster period.  Based on this observation, and the timing of cluster headaches (often occurring a few hours after going to bed) melatonin has been studied as a potential treatment for cluster headaches.  One study found the use of melatonin at bedtime for 14 days significantly reduced headache severity and frequency when compared to placebo.

Magnesium

Studies have shown that people with cluster headaches often have the lower than average levels of serum magnesium.  Intervention with intravenous magnesium resulted in relief of symptoms for all cluster headache sufferers assessed.  Oral magnesium hasn’t been studied but may be effective in reversing the magnesium deficiency seen in cluster headache sufferers.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Taken daily, vitamin B2 has been shown in studies to decrease the severity and frequency of cluster headaches.  3 months of daily supplementation was needed to have an effect.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

Kudzu

Kudzu is an Asian plant that was first used as a medicine over 1800 years ago.

It contains antioxidants, has anesthetic effects, dilates blood vessels in the brain, increases blood flow to the brain and can improve brain acetylcholine.  Studies on the use of Kudzu in the treatment of cluster headaches are scarce, but case studies have shown a decrease in frequency and intensity of cluster headaches in a high percentage (approximately 70%) of patients studied.  Dose of Kudzu is individualized and attaining optimal dose is necessary to see any benefit.

Other Botanical Medicines

Many botanical (herbal) medicines have been used in the natural treatment of cluster headaches.  California poppy, passion flower, skullcap, valerian and Jamaican dogwood have all been used with varying success to decrease the symptoms of cluster headaches.

Studies are currently exploring other alternative treatments for cluster headaches.  One treatment that has been getting some attention is psilocybin (the active constituent in ‘magic mushrooms’).  Some benefit has been seen in case studies but more research on the appropriate dose and dispensing of this substance is needed before its use can be recommended.

If you, or someone you care about, suffer from cluster headaches it may be worthwhile for them to explore these treatment options.  Speak to a Naturopathic Doctor to determine which treatments might work for you.

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.

References:

Beck E, Sieber WJ, Trejo R.  Management of Cluster Headache. Am Fam Physician 2005;71:717-24,728.

Dodick DW, Rozen TD, Goadsby PJ & Silberstein SD. Cluster headache. Cephalalgia 2000; 20:787-803.

Leone M, D’Amico D, Moschiano F, Fraschini F, Bussone G.  Melatonin versus placebo in the prophylaxis of cluster headache: a double-blind pilot study with parallel groups.  Cephalagia 1996; 16:494-6.

Marks DR, Rapoport A, Padla D, Weeks R, Rosum R, Sheftell F, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of intranasal capsaicin for cluster headache. Cephalalgia 1993;13:114-6.

Pringsheim T, Magnoux E, Dobson CF, Hamel E, Aube M. Melatonin as adjunctive therapy in the prophylaxis of cluster headache: a pilot study. Headache 2002;42:787-92.

Sewell AR, Halpern JH, Pope HG.  Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD.  Neurology 2006;66:1920-1922.

Sicuteri F, et al. Capsaicin as a potential medication for cluster headache. Med Sci Res 1988;16:1079-1080.

Links

www.clusterheadaches.com
www.clusterbusters.com

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