FOOD ALLERGIES – PART III of III

FOOD ALLERGIES – PART III of III

New Concepts with Special Reference to Behavior Problems, Hyperactivity,

Learning Disabilities and Cerebral Allergies

(Part I of III published 03/21/2008, Part II of III published 03/22/2008)

ROLE OF VITAMINS

Table III describes the “Symptoms of Early Vitamin Deficiencies.” We can easily appreciate that vitamin deficiencies, especially the B-complex group, cause symptoms similar to those experienced in cerebral allergies.

TABLE III

SYMPTOMS OF EARLY VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

B-1 (Thiamine)

Loss of appetite, depression, irritability, confusion, lost of memory, inability to concentrate, sensitivity to noise.

B-3 (Niacim)

Anxiety, depression, fatigue, hyperactivity, headache, insomnia, hyperesthesia (increase sensitivity to touch). Later symptoms include: failing vision, hypersensitivity to light and odors, dizziness, dulled sense of taste or salty taste and hallucinations.

B-6 (Pyridoxine)

No specific symptoms. This vitamin is a precursor for at least 50 enzymes necessary for normal body function. It is also required for zinc utilization.

B-12(Cyanocobalamine)

Depression, agitation and hallucinations

Pantothenic acid

Irritability, depression, tension, numbness, dizziness and a sullen disposition. This vitamin is need to prevent stress.

C (Ascorbic Acid)

Listlessness and blood vessel problems. Rats need three times as much vitamin C when stressed. Humans apparently also require additional vitamin C for mental and physical stress.

Although this Blog will not describe in detail the role of vitamins, we should appreciate that prolonged consumption of the empty calories of refined carbohydrates (e.g. sugar, white flour, rice, and alcohol) leads to B-vitamin deficiencies. An example of how this relates is the work of Drs. Lansdale and Shamberger who found that many juvenile offenders were deficient in thiamine (Vitamin B-1), referring to this condition as “sub-clinical beri-beri” (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February, 1980). To correct this problem, the doctors gave each youth between 150 to 300 mg. of thiamine a day for three weeks, while carefully monitoring when the thiamine levels in the blood would return to normal. The dose of thiamine given was 100 to 200 times the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) of B-1 which is 1.5 mg. It took three weeks before the thiamine blood leaves reached the desired normal. This emphasizes the fact that symptoms may not disappear as immediately as one would expect from symptoms related to simple uncomplicated allergy and sensitivity. The personality traits (e.g., poor impulse control; easily angered; sensitive to criticism; easily irritated; and usually hostile and aggressive) exhibited by the juvenile offenders disappeared over the three-week treatment period.

I will discuss the role of vitamins in preventing hyperactivity, behavior problems, learning disabilities, and delinquency in a future Blog. We will, nevertheless, make specific vitamin recommendations which will provide sufficient vitamins to prevent the symptoms caused by their deficiencies.

ROLE OF ZINC

Several prominent allergists are establishing the relationship of zinc deficiency with sensitivity/allergic manifestations with symptoms similar to those experienced in cerebral allergies.

Zinc is not only critical to the prevention of rare diseases like acrodermatitis enteropathica and Crohn’s disease (regional enteritis), but essential for normal growth, wound healing, resistance to infections, healthy prostate function, keen night vision, and sharp senses of taste and smell. Zinc also seems to reduce inflammation, reduce body odor, and clear up acne.

It has now been established that zinc is also required for learning, memory, and concentration, and for establishing integrity of the immunological system dealing with allergies. Additionally, zinc spurs growth and sexual maturity.

Zinc deficiency can be signaled by loss of weight and appetite, listlessness, rough and scaly skin, poor night vision, dull sense of taste and smell, white spots and fingernails, and eczema.

Acquired immune dysfunctions in humans occur with deficiencies of iron, zinc, vitamin A, B-6 (pyridoxine), B-12, and folic acid, and with excesses of essential fatty acids and vitamin E. (J. American Medical Association, 245:53-58, 1981.)

Generalized sensitivities and allergies have been associated with zinc deficiency. Once corrected with zinc supplementation, the clinical manifestation of the allergy disappears.

Since nutritionally-induced immune dysfunction is generally reversible, it is important to recognize and identify clinical illnesses in which immunologic malfunctions are of nutritional origin. Correction of the malnutrition should lead to prompt reversal of the acquired immune malfunction.

When supplementing with zinc, it is always important to remember that it must be given with pyridoxine (B-6). Zinc requires B-6 for proper utilization in the body.

THE NO-NO LIST OF FOODS

· Sugar and sugar-containing foods (includes honey, fructose, and dried fruits, such as raisins)

· Milk and milk products: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc.

· Caffeine-containing drinks and foods: coffee, tea, chocolate, and cola (some of the so-called “uncolas” have caffeine added to them: Mountain Dew and Mellow Yellow)

· Citrus fruits and drinks: oranges, grapefruit, etc.

· Nuts and peanuts

· Eggs and beef

· Food additives: artificial flavors and colors, sweeteners, preservatives

OTHER DIETARY CULPRITS

Be aware that many prescription and non-prescription drugs and medicines (e.g. antibiotics, cough preparations, etc.) contain both sugars and artificial colors and flavors. Such medicines should be used only when necessary to treat severe conditions. Several years ago when it was discovered that red dye #2 was associated with cancer, it was removed as a food additive, BUT it was not removed from children’s medicines and Maraschino cherries which were deemed a non-required food!

RECOMMENDATIONS

Eliminate the above items from the diet completely for at least 6 weeks. Symptoms, which may be expressions of, the result of and/or aggravated by an allergic or sensitivity reaction may be expected to disappear almost immediately in some situations or may take as long as several weeks or months in others. The time factor would depend upon to condition, the organ involved, the time it would take to eliminate the allergen (or toxin) from the system, the ability of the body to repair the damage already done, and the degree to which the body (or organ) has become dependent (addicted) to the toxin or chemical. With some food ingredients such as sugar, the body is not truly allergic to sugar per se but may instead be sensitive or addicted to it.

We have published elsewhere in our web site (www.drtauraso.com) a more detailed description of our so-called Elimination Diet, but use of this diet to treat a serious health condition requires the supervision of a knowledgeable doctor or nutritionist. We can help you with this (email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com) if you wish.

Care must be exercised in consuming fruits and fruits juices because of the increased amount of sugar (albeit natural) consumed by eating them.

After an individual responds to this Elimination Diet, you may reintroduce a single food at a time to determine the culprit food(s); except perhaps for sugar and food additives, which should be avoided as much as possible.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

The diet should be supplemented with high potency B-complex vitamins and zinc. Capsules or tablets containing the following dosages should be given.

Vitamins:

Thiamine (B-1) 50 mg.

Riboflavin (B-2) 40 mg.

Niacinamide (B-3) 125 mg.

Pyridoxine (B-6) 50 mg.

Cyanacobalamin (B-12) 50 mcg.

Panthothenic Acid 50 mg.

Folic Acid 50 mg.

Biotin 50 mcg.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 250 mg.

For children under 6 years, give one capsule daily.

For children over 6 years, adolescents, and adults, give two to four capsules daily.

Try to obtain a preparation containing the above vitamins in about the concentrations listed. You will have little difficulty in finding a preparation, which matches fairly well. It does not have to agree exactly.

Some vitamin preparations may cause allergic reactions, so, if symptoms such as headache, flushing, rash, hives, etc. develop, you may wish to discontinue the vitamins to determine whether the new symptoms disappear. You may wish to select another preparation or seek the advice of a holistic physician, nutritionist, chiropractor, or therapist. Some vitamin preparations contain fillers which may cause problems in some people.

Zinc:

Since zinc supplementation in large doses over long periods may in itself cause symptoms, it would be prudent to establish a deficiency state by performing hair mineral analysis. Therapeutic doses of zinc and B-6 can be given followed, by a repeat hair analysis after four to six months of therapy. If the deficiency state has been corrected, the dose of zinc can be reduced to maintenance levels. For conditions such as eczema and severe allergic conditions, a therapeutic high dose of zinc and B-6 may be administered for a trial period of four to six months with out a deficiency demonstrable by hair analysis. A person’s response can determine whether zinc should be continued at high therapeutic or lower maintenance dosages.

For children under 6 years, give 5 to 15 mg. of zinc gluconate (preferred) or zinc in the acetate or sulfate forms, daily in two to three divided doses.

For children from 7 to 14 years, give 15 to 30 mg. of zinc, daily in divided doses.

For adolescents 15 years and older and adults, give 60 to 80 mg. zinc, daily in three divided doses.

B-6 (pyridoxine) can be administered in combination with zinc (some manufacturers already combine zinc and B-6 in a single-tablet form) or as the high-potency B-Complex vitamin preparation described above.

Note: Our advice would be to initiate the dietary first, postponing giving any vitamins. In this way, you will be able to determine which foods may be culprits. Afterwards, vitamins can be added to the regimen.

REFERENCES

Feingold, Ben F., Why Your Child is Hyperactive, Random House, New York, 1975 ($10.50)

Rapp, Doris J., Allergies and the Hyperactive Child, Cornerstone Library, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1979 ($4.50)

Schauss, Alexander, Diet, Crime and Delinquency, Parker House, Berkeley, California, revised 1981 ($4.95)

Tauraso, Nicola M., and Batzler, L. Richard, Awaken the Genius in Your Child, Hidden Valley Press, Frederick, Maryland, 1981 ($9.95)

nicola michael (c. Tauraso, M.D.)

Director, Tauraso Medical Clinic

Web site: www.drtauraso.com

Blog site: http://www.drtauraso.com/blog/index.htm

Email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com
code: 80130

FOOD ALLERGIES – PART II of III

FOOD ALLERGIES – PART II of III

New Concepts with Special Reference to Behavior Problems, Hyperactivity,

Learning Disabilities and Cerebral Allergies

(Part I of III, published 3/21/2008)

CEREBRAL ALLERGIES, BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, LEARNING DISABILITIES

When the shock organ is the brain, headaches might result or any function of the brain and mind might be affected adversely, such as difficulty in concentrating, poor memory, learning disabilities, dyslexia, hyperactivity, depression, emotional instability, anger, hallucinations, schizophrenia, to name a few. Table II, B lists the many potential symptoms which may occur when the brain is the organ where the allergic or sensitivity reaction occurs.

PROBLEMS IN TREATING SOME MANIFESTATIONS OF CEREBRAL ALLERGIES SUCH AS LEARNING DISABILITIES AND DYSLEXIA

Most behavior problems will improve following removal of the culprit food(s). There may be a period of withdrawal when the symptoms will worsen, such as in hyperactivity. But this usually does not last more than 3 or 4 days following complete removal of the culprit food. When we are doing diet eliminations we like to see the symptoms get worse because we then know that we have eliminated a culprit food. We interpret worsening symptoms is a clinical indication that we are on the correct track.

The situation with other manifestations of cerebral allergies, such as learning disabilities and dyslexia, may not be as simple to correct, especially when the condition has existed for years. The real problem is due to the fact that the brain is a learning computer-like organ.

The functioning of all other organs is not learned. The kidney filters out waste products and regulates the retention or release of water and minerals. It does this automatically. When the kidney is normal, it will do what is has to do at five or at 55 years. The same is true for the liver, spleen, intestines, and most other organs.

This, however, is not true of the brain and for the abstract mind, which must function through the physical brain. The mind at 55 is different from the mind at five. And the difference is due to the fact that it learns more as it accumulates more information (knowledge) and experiences. If brain functioning is impaired, the functioning of the mind is also impaired.

If, for instance, a child develops a learning disability from food sensitivity, and this condition is allowed to continue for many years, other factor may affect the ability of the child to respond favorably after removal of the culprit food. A child may develop the feeling or belief that he or she is stupid, dumb, and unable to learn. When the food which caused learning impairment is removed, although the brain is now bio-chemically normal, the child is left with the programmed belief of stupidity and poor learning. To correct the learning disability at this point would require overcoming these negative programmed thoughts and developing a new programming design to develop improved self-esteem, self-image, and the belief that learning can be easy. Many programs dealing with the learning-disabled child are not successful because they fail to appreciate that the brain is a behavior-learning organ, and functions of the mind depend upon the programmed beliefs of the computer-like mind.

Because of the seeming failure of dietary programs to cure learning disabilities, most programs have abandoned a dietary approach and have concentrated solely on behavioral solutions. Behavioral approaches are slow and suffer because these are not usually done in concert with diet alternations. Both are needed simultaneously. Our approach is to include listening to learning and behavior tapes and CD’s to help reprogramming the mind with positive attitudes and suggestions.

HYPERACTIVITY AND DELINQUENCY

Hyperactive children are examples of how diet affects concentration, learning, memory and behavior. The criminal and delinquent individuals are extreme examples of how behavior can be altered.

Pediatrician and author, Lendon Smith, M.D., states that 80% of individuals in prisons today had a history of hyperactivity as children. If the hyperactive child is treated with drugs, symptoms are suppressed and the child has a greater chance of developing a criminal mind because of impaired brain chemistry. Proper dietary therapy, instead, corrects the biochemical disorder. When symptoms disappear, it is a reflection of a true cure.

Criminologist Alexander Schauss describes new breakthroughs in crime in his book Diet, Crime and Delinquency.

CULPRIT FOODS

Dr. Ben F. Feingold (Why Your Child Is Hyperactive), an allergist, was one of the first to suggest that hyperactivity was caused by allergies to food additives. His now famous diet eliminates food colors, dyes, additives, and salicylates.

Other researchers have not completely confirmed Dr. Feingold’s conclusions, probably because they did not eliminate sugar and other potent food culprits. More recent studies demonstrate that the following foods are implicated as causes of hyperactivity and other conditions and delinquency (in decreasing order of importance); sugar, food colors, additives, and dyes, especially red food coloring; caffeine-containing drinks and foods, such as coffee, tea, chocolate and cola; milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream; citrus fruits and drinks, eggs, nuts and peanuts; potatoes, soy, beef, pork, apples, chicken and grapes. Sugar is by far the greatest dietary culprit causing nervousness, hyperactivity, and other behavior problems in children and adults.

Sugar tends to increase the metabolic rate and has a tendency to speed up any potential allergic or other sensitivity reaction. In addition, sugar may itself be a direct causative factor in such conditions as hyperactivity, behavior problems, learning disabilities, and other manifestations of cerebral allergies.

An allergy or sensitivity to any food can cause cerebral allergies and behavior problems. It is impractical to eliminate all the foods mentioned at the same time. However, it would be prudent to eliminate first the major culprit listed in bold type. This would result in curing most conditions. Those very few who are not helped will require additional dietary investigations.

MAGNESIUM DEFICIENTY

I should not leave this section without mentioning an important aspect of foods affecting behavior. I have been talking about eliminating culprit foods, but have not mentioned that there is an element of our diet which, if lacking, will result in hyperactivity. That element is magnesium. Most individuals are magnesium deficient because we are not eating sufficient amounts of dark leafy green vegetables. It is these vegetables which have a high content of chlorophyll. Leafy green vegetables, the greener the better, are the best sources of magnesium in our diet. Magnesium is the center of the chlorophyll molecule as iron is the center of the hemoglobin molecule. It is interesting to note that both molecules have an almost similar protein attached to the central magnesium or iron and both have to do with important transport functions: photosynthesis in the plant and respiration in the body of the human. Additionally, magnesium is a natural tranquilizer and counteracts the spastic qualities of calcium. Magnesium deficiency is probably one of the major causes of people being nervous and of constipation.

WTIHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

It is important to keep in mind that withdrawal symptoms may occur after, and because of, removal of a food substance to which the individual is allergic or sensitive.

Individuals may crave the very foods to which they are allergic or sensitive. They actually become dependent and addicted. When the culprit foods are eliminated completely (and we believe in complete removal from the diet), there may occur a worsening of the same symptoms caused by the food. We consider this is a very good diagnostic sign. If withdrawal symptoms occur, then you know that you have found a culprit causing the problem.

Withdrawal symptoms of food sensitivities almost never last more that 3 to 4 days, although the psychological craving may persist longer. The craving can be lessened if the addicted one does not have to view foods he or she craves. Essentially, do not tempt yourself until you are sure you’ve got it licked.

PART III OF III TOMORROW

nicola michael (c. Tauraso, M.D.)

Director, Tauraso Medical Clinic

Web site: www.drtauraso.com

Blog site: http://www.drtauraso.com/blog/index.htm

Email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com

FOOD ALLERGIES – PART I of III

FOOD ALLERGIES – PART I of III

New Concepts with Special Reference to Behavior Problems, Hyperactivity,
Learning Disabilities and Cerebral Allergies

INTRODUCTION

Today I wish to discuss how dietary allergies and sensitivities relate as causative factors in many dis-ease states. It will not deal with allergies and sensitivities to things such as inhalant allergens (animal dander and pollens), toxins (smoke, odors, fumes), and contact-type irritants (poison ivy and oak), although many of these substances may cause symptoms similar to those caused by foods.

TABLE I

TYPES OF SENSITIVITIES
1. Antibody –mediated: immediate-type reaction, mediated through Ig E class of antibodies; reaction occurring usually within one to four hours after challenge; true allergy by definition; conventional allergy test (RAST, cytotoxic) positive; skin tests unreliable; direct challenge test positive.
2. Cell-mediated: delayed-type reaction, mediated through mononuclear lymphoid cells; reaction occurring 24 to 48 hours after challenge; may be called delayed allergy; conventional allergy test negative, except for skin tests which some now believe are useful; direct challenge test positive.
3. Non-antibody, non-cell-mediated; sensitivity not falling in types 1 and 2; can be immediate or delayed; conventional allergy tests negative; direct challenge test positive. Subtypes include:
· Toxic
Example: sensitivity to nightshade solanine toxin.
· Enzyme-lacking
Examples: lactose intolerance; “sloppy” enzyme in Methyl Malonic Aciduria and in a sub-segment of schizophrenic population deficient in serotonin (a brain chemical mediator)
· Metabolic:
Example: sensitivity to sugar and caffeine


Many conventionally trained allergists may take issue with our concepts and approach. There are, however, many New Age avant-garde allergists and nutritionists, such as Doris J. Rapp, M.D. (Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Buffalo) and Dr. Jeffrey Bland (University of Puget Sound in Tacoma) who have had the courage to write of their clinical experience even in the face of criticism from some of their peers. What makes these progressive allergists correct is the fact that their approach has solved many clinical problems not solved by previously held concepts.

What I am discussing today will be based upon the clinical and laboratory experience of the author, and other physicians and allergists.

ALLERGY vs. SENSITIVITY

Before going on, we must first clarify the meaning of the two terms, allergy and sensitivity.

Sensitivity is a general term encompassing reactions which are classified as true immediate-type allergy (cell-meditated), and the non-antibody, non-cell-mediated sensitivities which include the toxic, enzyme-lacking, and metabolic sensitivities. Table I compares these types of sensitivities.

When referring to sensitivity to food such as chocolate, corn or milk, we would best call these “allergies” to chocolate, corn, or milk keeping in mind the allergy might be immediate or delayed.

When referring to symptoms related to foods such as sugar, caffeine, or the lactose sugar in milk, we would best call these sugar and caffeine sensitivities, or lactose intolerance.

HOW ALLERGY AND SENSITIVITY AFFECT VARIOUS DIS-EASE CONDITIONS

To appreciate how allergy and sensitivity may result in various dis-ease states, it would be worthwhile to appreciate what occurs in an allergic sensitivity reaction.

When an allergen (a substance foreign to the body) is introduced into the system, the body responds, by developing antibodies -- special proteins, which combine with allergens to neutralize and eliminate them from the body -- or lymphoid cells, which essentially do the same things. Some antibodies are of the good type, and others are not so good. When these latter bad type antibodies or cells react with foreign antigens, a battle occurs at various sites in the body.

Symptoms and dis-ease conditions vary with the individual, depending upon (1) where the antigen/antibody or antigen/lymphoid cell battle is occurring, that is, depending upon what might be the shock organ for that child or adult, and (2) the degree with which the reaction occurs.

Table II lists the many “Possible Symptoms of Allergy” as these relate to the shock organ and whether the symptoms are acute or chronic. We must keep in mind that acute reactions tend to occur within the first four hours after ingestion of a food or contact with an allergen. Most likely these would tend to represent antibody-mediated true allergy. The chronic symptoms may be true allergy, but they may also represent cell-mediated delayed allergy, which we are now just beginning to understand.

TABLE II

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGY AND SENSITIVITY

1. Organ Involvement (Symptoms)
Skin acute: itching, rash, hives, edema, excessive perspiration
chronic: eczema, psoriasis, acne

Gastro/ intestinal tract acute: bellyaches, nausea, vomiting, upset
stomach, bloating, bad breath, gassy stomach, diarrhea,
constispation
chronic: colitis, Crohn’s disease

Kidney and acute: itching and burning on urination, need to rush to
bladder urinate, wetting pants in daytime or in bed.
chronic: possibly nephrotoxic hypertension

Respiratory acute: wheezing, asthma, year-round stuffiness, watery
Tract nose, sneezing, nose-rubbing, increased
production of mucus resulting in increased risk
of upper and lower respiratory infections
chronic: emphysema

Ear acute: ringing in ears, dizziness
chronic: repeated formation of fluid behind eardrums and
chronic middle ear infections

Joints acute: general aches and pains
chronic: arthritis

Muscles acute: aches in the back, neck and other muscles,
“growing pains”, or pain and aches unrelated to
exercise.

Lymphatic acute: swelling of lymph nodes of neck.
System and
Glands chronic: edema of legs.

Face acute: pale, dark eye circle, puffiness below eyes
chronic: acne

Eyes acute: red and itchy eyes
chronic: glaucoma

Head and acute and chronic: head-aches, sinusitis
Sinuses

Systemic acute: low grade fever, hypertension, hypoglycemia
Symptoms

Brain acute: see Cerebral Allergy (Part B)



2. Cerebral Allergy (Symptoms)
· Allergic-Tension-Fatigue Syndrome (Nervous System Symptoms). Hyperactive, wild, unrestrained, delinquency. Talkative (explosive, stuttering, constant). Dyslexia and other reading problems. Inattentive disruptive, impulsive. Short attention span, learning disabilities, difficulty concentrating, poor memory. Restless legs, finger tapping, Clumsiness, incoordination, tremor. Insomnia, nightmares, inability to fall asleep. Nervous, irritable, upset, short-tempered, anger, fear. High strung, excitable, agitated, emotional instability. Moody, tired, weak, weary, exhausted, listless, depressed. Easily moved to tears, easily hurt. Highly sensitive to odor, light, sound, pain and cold.
· Other symptoms
Hallucinations
Manic-depressive states
Childhood autism
Schizophrenia
Convulsions


When the shock organ is the skin, one might experience such symptoms and conditions as itching, rash, hives, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

When the battle occurs in the lungs, one might experience coughing, wheezing, asthma, increased production of mucus resulting in increased risk of upper and lower respiratory infections. One of the great food culprits causing respiratory symptoms is milk (and milk products) which tend to cause the body to produce mucus. In fact, we take infants off milk when they develop upper respiratory infections because infants have a very small airway and are unable to cough adequately to clear the throat. A small amount of mucus may be the life threatening.

Milk and milk products also produce mucus in the adult. Because the adult has a much larger airway and is able to cough well, this situation does not become a matter of life and death. Instead, the adult experiences a clogged and stuffy nose, sinus problems, and productive cough. All of these contribute to significant morbidity and sickness in the adult.

When the shock organ is the stomach or intestines, the individual might complain of abdominal pain, colic, vomiting, or diarrhea.

When the battle occurs in areas of the kidney and bladder, burning or urination, increased frequency, or bedwetting may result. Other symptoms are listed in Table II.


PART II OF III, TOMORROW

nicola michael (c. Tauraso, M.D.)
Director, Tauraso Medical Clinic
Web site: www.drtauraso.com
Blog site: http://www.drtauraso.com/blog/index.htm
Email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com