CHANT – Change Here and Now Together
is a place to share the intimate moments of our lives, to extend those
seemingly small moments, places, and inspirations that are a reclaiming of our true Life and Spirit.
For me CHANT is about stepping out of auto pilot and out of the
norm. CHANT is a political, spiritual, mindful way of being in the
world. A stepping out of how we’re taught to think or live and to just
try something, anything NEW! CHANT is about conscious eating, creation
in the home, speaking out, going new places, being in nature and
connecting with amazing individuals along life’s path. It’s a place to
share all those moments that make your life sparkle. Photos, thoughts,
feelings, a decadent dessert, anything that makes your heart say “YES!”
So join in, and CHANT!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Food Allergies & Food Sensitivity
As described by the Food, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network,* a food allergy “occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, which results in an allergic reaction.” The protein found in food is the most common allergic component. For example, many people are familiar with term “Gluten Allergy”, gluten is the protein molecule found in wheat and some other grains. When these foods are consumed they trigger the formation of an immune cell called IgE (Immunoglubulin E), which “flags” these foods or proteins as invaders and provokes a dynamic immune response. The presence of the IgE antibody initiates the counter-reaction in the body in the form of an allergic response. Food hypersensitivities can also be triggered when there’s an abnormality in the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, as nutrients are vital for executing the intricate bodily process like repairing tissue. This may be the most critical aspect why food allergies and intolerance's need to be removed from the diet no matter the cause. Because as they’re consumed they inflict more damage to the delicate digestive system, and perpetuate deterioration inhibiting the proper absorption of nutrients. One pathway that a food allergy or intolerance can injure the system is to imbalance our protective gut flora, wiping out one of our strongest lines of defense.
The term “food allergy” and “food intolerance” are a commonly misunderstood terms. Knowing the difference is a powerful tool to communicate about what your body needs. Symptoms of a food allergy are diverse and inflammatory in nature. They may express in many ways from rashes, hives, itching, swelling, to trouble breathing, wheezing, or loss of consciousness. Identifying if you have food allergies is an important step in protecting your health to prevent anaphylaxis and long term damage.
Food Intolerances or food sensitivities trigger a different process in the body. The medical terminology for food intolerance is non-allergic food hypersensitivity, also loosely referred to as food hypersensitivity. Where food allergies often produce an immediate and noticeable immune reaction, food sensitivities can take more time to reveal their symptoms. A common example is when an individual deals with lower gastrointestinal symptoms from a food intolerance, and may not experience discomfort until a day or two after the food was ingested. This type of delayed response varies from person to person, and often makes it difficult to identify the offending food. These delayed immune responses also express uniquely and may arise as skin inflammation like eczema or as chronic UTI’s or ear infections. This is why it is challenging for most people or even their practitioner, to make the right connection.
There are different bodily mechanisms that create food hypersensitivities although it is not completely understood. One common cause is when the body lacks certain pancreatic enzymes that are responsible for breaking down food and immune components like Neurotrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs).* Which left un-metabolized are deposited in vulnerable tissues and provoke further damage.
It’s estimated that between 2-20 percent of the population is afflicted by food sensitivities, however the number is inconclusive because many cases go undiagnosed or are ignored and mistaken for other health issues. Food intolerance has been shown to be linked to Autoimmune diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and many other common afflictions.
If you have experienced any of these conditions on a long-term basis, it may be worth determining whether food sensitivities are playing a role. The best route to eliminating your discomfort is to identify if you have food intolerances with the help of an experienced practitioner or N.D, and then avoid the foods completely while repairing the gut with specific foods and proper supplementation.
References:
*http://www.foodallergy.org/
*Autoimmune: The Cause and the Cure, by Annesse Brockley and Kristin Urdiales
Elizabeth Willis is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Clinical Herbalist. She has a private practice in Boulder, CO. Elizabeth specializes in a holistic approach to health by educating her clients in the dynamic role that food and nutrition play in the body. She believes that by eliminating food intolerance's, building optimal nutrition and working directly with the body, it is possible to truly revive one’s health and reconnect body with spirit.
The term “food allergy” and “food intolerance” are a commonly misunderstood terms. Knowing the difference is a powerful tool to communicate about what your body needs. Symptoms of a food allergy are diverse and inflammatory in nature. They may express in many ways from rashes, hives, itching, swelling, to trouble breathing, wheezing, or loss of consciousness. Identifying if you have food allergies is an important step in protecting your health to prevent anaphylaxis and long term damage.
Food Intolerances or food sensitivities trigger a different process in the body. The medical terminology for food intolerance is non-allergic food hypersensitivity, also loosely referred to as food hypersensitivity. Where food allergies often produce an immediate and noticeable immune reaction, food sensitivities can take more time to reveal their symptoms. A common example is when an individual deals with lower gastrointestinal symptoms from a food intolerance, and may not experience discomfort until a day or two after the food was ingested. This type of delayed response varies from person to person, and often makes it difficult to identify the offending food. These delayed immune responses also express uniquely and may arise as skin inflammation like eczema or as chronic UTI’s or ear infections. This is why it is challenging for most people or even their practitioner, to make the right connection.
There are different bodily mechanisms that create food hypersensitivities although it is not completely understood. One common cause is when the body lacks certain pancreatic enzymes that are responsible for breaking down food and immune components like Neurotrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs).* Which left un-metabolized are deposited in vulnerable tissues and provoke further damage.
It’s estimated that between 2-20 percent of the population is afflicted by food sensitivities, however the number is inconclusive because many cases go undiagnosed or are ignored and mistaken for other health issues. Food intolerance has been shown to be linked to Autoimmune diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and many other common afflictions.
If you have experienced any of these conditions on a long-term basis, it may be worth determining whether food sensitivities are playing a role. The best route to eliminating your discomfort is to identify if you have food intolerances with the help of an experienced practitioner or N.D, and then avoid the foods completely while repairing the gut with specific foods and proper supplementation.
References:
*http://www.foodallergy.org/
*Autoimmune: The Cause and the Cure, by Annesse Brockley and Kristin Urdiales
Elizabeth Willis is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Clinical Herbalist. She has a private practice in Boulder, CO. Elizabeth specializes in a holistic approach to health by educating her clients in the dynamic role that food and nutrition play in the body. She believes that by eliminating food intolerance's, building optimal nutrition and working directly with the body, it is possible to truly revive one’s health and reconnect body with spirit.
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