FOOD INTOLERANCES (continued)

ILLNESSES RELATED TO FOOD INTOLERANCES

CANDIDA ALBICANS
The healthy intestine carries up to 4 Ib of live bacteria. These are divided approximately into 80% ‘friendly’ bacteria and 20% ‘harmful’ bacteria. One of the harmful bacteria is a common yeast called candida albicans. Generally, the harmful bacteria in the gut cause us no harm because they are kept under control by the friendly bacteria.

A number of aspects of modern living are upsetting this careful balance. Firstly, the amount of sugar in our diets. This has increased from about 10 Ibs a year in 1900 to about 150 Ibs in America and Europe today.

Secondly, the abuse or over-use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are miraculous antibacterial drugs which can be life-saving in certain rare medical emergencies. However, as well as destroying harmful bacteria they destroy the friendly bacteria in our intestines. As well as those we are prescribed there are antibiotic residues in the meat and milk we consume given to animals to help growth.

Hormonal treatments also encourage the growth of candida, including HRT and the contraceptive pill. For this reason, more women than men suffer from the condition.

Once candida starts to thrive it damages the intestine wall. It then enters the bloodstream. The result is a feeling of general illhealth. As the body becomes increasingly weakened, allergies begin to develop to dust, pollen, mould and food. Usually, the whole process comes to a head with a viral infection which drags on, the sufferer too weak to recover. The symptoms which can be associated with Candida are: skin conditions, stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gas, indigestion, mouth rashes/blisters, food sensitivity, dry mouth/throat, bad breath, PMT, breast tenderness, loss of sexual feeling, nasal congestion, itching nose, sore throat, laryngitis, recurrent bronchitis, wheezing, shortness of breath, erratic vision, watering eyes, ear infections, ear pain, deafness, sinusitis, dizziness, loss of balance, muscle pain and weakness, painful and swollen joints, numbness, burning and tingling, fatigue, depression, poor memory, anxiety and crying, drowsiness, poor concentration, jitters, pressure above the ears, insomnia, feeling of head swelling, cold hands and feet, chilliness, shaky when hungry and others.

Candida albicans can be treated by excluding yeast and sugar (including fruit) from the diet and also any other foods which the sufferer may have developed intolerances to (often wheat and dairy). This should be combined with vitamin supplements to strengthen the immune system and a course of anti-fungal treatment. This should be supervised by an experience nutritionist (the Register for the British Association of Nutritional Therapists is attached to this site click here).
[Thanks to Erica White’s excellent Beat Candida Cookbook for the wealth of information on this condition]

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (C.F.S.)/MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (M.E.)
C.F.S./M.E. was first identified in 1956 following epidemic outbreaks although the definition at that time was very loose. The main symptoms are: severe fatigue caused by trivially small exertion (physical or mental), short-term memory and concentration loss, disturbed sleep and other neurological and psychological disturbance. Symptoms fluctuate and vary in individuals but react to physical or mental exertion however minimal. To be sure of a diagnosis of C.F.S./M.E. other illnesses need to be excluded and the symptoms need to be ongoing and present for at least 6 months.

Although C.F.S./M.E. typically follows an infection, usually a virus illness in a previously fit and active person, it has also been observed to be triggered by other factors such as immunisations, life traumas and exposure to chemicals. Furthermore, in a minority of patients, M.E. has a gradual onset with no apparent triggering factor.

It is very common for people with C.F.S./M.E. to develop intolerances to certain foods such as wheat and dairy products and nutrition can play an important part in controlling the symptoms. An intolerance towards alcohol and caffeine is also very frequent. Candida and low blood sugar can also be part of the picture.

COELIAC DISEASE
Food absorption in the small intestine is achieved by tiny fronds which line the small intestine called villi. These in turn are covered in microvilli. They increase the absorption area to about 300 square metres in adults. In people with Coeliac disease the gluten damages the villi so that they become flat and unable to absorb nutrients. For this reason, the symptoms of Coeliac disease are dramatic weight loss, malnutrition and weakness. The only cure is to avoid gluten and, in time, the small intestine may recover normal function. The incidence of Coeliac disease varies from country to country. It ranges from 1 in 6500 in Sweden to 1 in 230 in Ireland. There are an estimated 35 – 40,000 people Coeliacs in Britain.

ADHD
ADHD is an illness that starts in childhood. It is thought to affect between 3 and 5% of the school age population. It affects the way children think, feel and act. Nearly all children are inattentive or overactive at times but for ADHD children and their families their behaviour can be extreme and disruptive. ADHD children find it difficult to concentrate or stay still and their performance at school tends to be poor. It is more common in boys.

Some parents have found diet helpful in controlling the behaviour of their children with ADHD. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

AUTISM
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way that people with the condition communicate and relate to people around them.

Children and adults with Autism generally have difficulty relating to other people and experience three main areas of difficulty: social interaction, social communication and imagination (e.g. interpersonal play). In addition, to these areas of difficulty people with Autism can have repetitive behaviour patterns and resistance to change in routine.

Some people have found diet helpful in managing Autism. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
Some parents and medical professionals have found diet helpful in improving outcomes for children with learning difficulties. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that affects mainly the bowel (which is also called the large intestine). The word syndrome means a group of symptoms. IBS can cause several symptoms such as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation.

Sometime IBS may be diagnosed when there may be another problem causing the symptoms such as Candida. Diet is important in controlling IBS and foods which have been found to cause symptoms are dairy products, fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine.

ECZEMA
Eczema or dermatitis is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. A fifth of all school children in the UK have eczema and a twelfth of all adults. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy. In severe forms the skin can be broken, raw and bleeding.

Dietary changes can be quite helpful in controlling eczema, particularly in babies. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

PSORIAISIS
Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease that comes in different forms and levels of severity. It is thought to be related to the immune system. It is commonly found on knees, elbows, scalp, lower back or feet.

Some people have found diet helpful in treating the symptoms of psoriasis. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

ASTHMA
Asthma is very common among children, teens and adults. It is a disease that causes the of the lungs to tighten. An asthma attack is when your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. The symptoms include: trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and chest tightness.
Some people have found diet helpful in treating the symptoms of psoriasis. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a nutritional therapist (www.bant.org.uk).

IT IS ADVISABLE TO CONSULT A DOCTOR OR NUTRITIONIST WHEN DEALING WITH THE CONDITIONS MENTIONED ABOVE (www.bant.org.uk).

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