Men And Food Allergies What’s Healthy and What’s Not
Men And Food Allergies What’s Healthy and What’s Not Part1
Robert Walker
The Basics of Food Allergies In Men
Allergies affect the lives of millions of people around the world. Fresh flowers, a friends cat
or dog, even dust can make people itch, sneeze and scratch almost uncontrollably. But what about
that seemingly innocent peanut butter sandwich, glass of milk or fish fillet? Learn more about
food allergies and steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to potentially dangerous
food allergens.
The Basics
Common Symptoms of Food Allergies
Most Common Food Allergens
Diagnosing Food Allergy
Treatment for Food Allergies
Other Resources
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The Basics
Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from a variety of allergic diseases such as;
atopic dermatitis and other eczemas, hives, allergies to venom of stinging insects (honeybees,
wasps, and fire ants), allergic drug reactions and food allergies. According to the National
Institutes of Health, approximately 5 million Americans, (5 to 8% of children and 1 to 2% of adults) have a true food allergy.
Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
Food allergy, also called food hypersensitivity,is a reaction of the bodys immune system to
something in a food or an ingredient in a food usually a protein. Food allergens are not broken
down by cooking or the digestive process. As a result, they enter the bloodstream and cause
allergic reactions throughout the body. Food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions.
Other reactions to foods are called food intolerances or food idiosyncrasies. Food intolerance is
an adverse reaction to a food substance or additive that does not involve the immune system.
These reactions are generally localized, temporary, and rarely life threatening. Lactose
intolerance is an example of food intolerance.
Note: It is very important for individuals who have true food allergies to identify them and
prevent allergic reactions to food because these reactions can cause serious illness and, in some
cases, be fatal.
Common Symptoms of Food Allergies
Symptoms of food allergy differ greatly among individuals. They can also differ in the same
person during different exposures. Allergic reactions to food can vary in severity, time of
onset, and may be affected by when the food was eaten.
Common symptoms may include: skin irritations such as rashes, hives and eczema, and
gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath can also result from food allergy.
Some individuals may experience a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis a rare but
potentially fatal condition which may include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing,
lowered blood pressure and unconsciousness.
Symptoms usually appear rapidly, sometimes within minutes of exposure to the allergen.
Seek immediate medical attention standard emergency treatment often includes an injection of
epinephrine (adrenaline) to open up the airway and blood vessels.
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Most Common Food Allergens
The eight most common food allergens include:
Milk (including yogurt and ice cream, and anything that is made with milk)
eggs
peanuts
tree nuts (such as walnuts and almonds)
soy
wheat
fish
shellfish (such as shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab)
Note: These food allergens cause more than 90% of all food allergic reactions. However, many
other foods have been identified as allergens for some people.
Diagnosing Food Allergy
If you suspect you have a food allergy, get a medical evaluation. Treatment is basically avoiding
the food(s) after the specific food allergy is identified. You should see a board-certified
allergist to get a diagnosis, and a dietician to plan the proper diet.
Making a diagnosis may include a thorough medical history, analysis of a food diary, and several
tests including skin-prick tests, RAST tests (a blood test) and food challenges. Once a diagnosis
is complete, an allergist will help set up a response plan that may include taking medication by
injection to control allergic reactions.
Treatment for Food Allergies
Currently, there are no medications that cure food allergies. Strict avoidance is the only way to
prevent a reaction. Once the specific food has been identified, it must be removed from your
diet. It is important to read lengthy, detailed ingredient lists on each food you are considering
eating. The Food and Drug Administration requires ingredients in a food to appear on its label.
You can avoid most food allergens if you read food labels carefully, and avoid
restaurant-prepared food that might have ingredients to which you are allergic. Dont be shy
about asking for more information if the menu isnt clear.
Unfortunately, you cant take a medication in advance to reliably prevent an allergic reaction to
a specific food. However, there are several medications that will relieve food allergy symptoms
that are not part of an anaphylactic reaction. These include antihistamines to relieve
gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, or sneezing and a runny nose, and bronchodilators to relieve
asthma symptoms. These medications are taken after you have inadvertently ingested a food to
which you are allergic, but are not effective in preventing an allergic reaction when taken prior
to eating the food.
Note: Randomly taking different food groups out of your diet can cause other health problems.
Seek the help of a doctor before making significant changes in your diet.
Other Resources
This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources:
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Food Allergies:
Websites*:
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
Asthma & Allergy Foundation
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Food and Drug Administration
International Food Information Council
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
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Consumer Focus: The Basics of Food Allergies
Tips for Avoiding Food Allergies
Eight percent of children in the U.S. are estimated to be affected by food allergies, along with
up to 2% of adults. The eight most common food allergens milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy,
wheat, fish and shellfish cause more than 90 percent of all food allergic reactions. However,
many other foods have been identified as allergens for some people.
About the Author
Robert Walker is a health information marketer and writer that writes for
The Men’s Health Advantage Report at http://todays-man-health-advocate.com.
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Healthy Eating Tip – Four Power House Foods
Healthy Eating Tip – Four Power House Foods
Cori Sachais Swidorsky
There are many foods that we can consume on a regular basis that could possibly help reduce the risk of heart disease by 75 percent or more. Since heart disease is the number 1 killer in women, it would benefit us to try and add more of these foods to our healthy eating life style.
* Almonds: Almonds are packed with fiber and monounsaturated fat as well as vitamin E which are an antioxidant. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 1.5 ounces of almonds per day may be enough to reduce the risk of heart disease.
* Vegetables: Vegetables that are connected with heart health are lycopene-rich tomatoes and leafy greens such as kale or spinach. These foods have powerful antioxidants and soluble and unsoluble fiber. A serving of vegetables is equal to one cup of raw, leafy vegetables; a half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; or three fourths cup 100 percent vegetable juice.
* Fruit: It’s important to include a variety of fruits into your daily diet. Bright colored berries are high in polyphenols, citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, and apples have an antioxidant called quercetin. A serving of fruit is equal to one medium size piece of fruit; a half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruit; three fourths cup of 100 percent fruit juice; or one quarter cup dried fruit.
* Garlic: Garlic lowers total cholesterol and blood fat levels which help to prevent clogged arteries.
About the Author
Cori Sachais Swidorsky resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a work at home mom/stay at home mom. Owner of the Informing Women Newsletter and website http://www.informingwomen.com Writes an advice column for a community newsletter, has an inspirational piece being published in Chicken Soup For The Recovering Soul, and has articles published on many work at home, home based business, tips and hints, and parenting websites.
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Fish and Mercury
Many people think if they just eliminate red meat and poultry from their diets, their eating healthier. This is partly true, but there are hazards to eating fish and seafood as well. The harm that humans have done to the environment has had a direct effect on the fish and seafood we eat.
There are elements of fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and children’s proper growth and development. So, women and young children in particular should include fish or shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child’s developing nervous system. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Is this anyway to eat? In fear of what unhealthy elements are lurking in the food we eat? Eliminating red meat and eating a more vegetarian diet is an excellent start on the road to more healthy eating. Eliminating fish and seafood is one of the final steps towards eating a complete vegetarian diet and the health benefits that are your reward for making that change.
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