Health - The Controversial Topic of Food Allergies :: Health Nutrition Diet Exercise Essays

The Controversial Topic of Food Allergies Food allergies are the most controversial allergy-related topic right now. It's controversial because of several facts like: * many kinds of bad reactions to foods have nothing to do with allergies * * foods are often for symptoms that result from each other * * children often out grow sensitivities to foods * * even if you're allergic to certain foods, you might be able to eat small amounts of the food without any reaction * Some of the most common foods that cause symptoms like severe stomach pain, diarrhea, hives, swellings, wheezing, vomiting, hayfever symptoms, excema and wheezing are nuts, chocolate, strawberries, milk, wheat and corn. There is one term in particular that can be used to clear up some confusion about various kinds of reactions called food allergies. That term is called "food intolerance" and it applies to abnormal reactions to foods regardless of the cause. Food intolerance may cause the release of amines (histamine, dopamine, etc.) from cells. Amines are found in food and can affect many body functions like the size of the blood vessels, blood pressure control, heart rate, brain activity, and nerve function. Histamine is the most common mediator. It also is a compound that causes allergic responses. Foods high in histamine are red wine, sauerkraut, strawberries, some cheeses and alcoholic beverages. Dopomine comes from fava beans and octopamine comes from some citrus fruits. Beta-phenylethylamine comes from chocolate. If your body is depleted or has an overabundant amount of amines you might have neurological or psychological problems. There are many allergic reactions that come with food allergies. The main one is called anaphylaxis. This fatal reaction is a violent allergic reaction that occurs thought the body causing nausea, vomiting, swelling, chest pain, choking and collapse. "Another painful allergic reaction is called Celiac Disease. This reaction is caused by a chronic adverse reaction to gluten, a protein found in grain, wheat and corn. Children who have this disease, are sickly, have chronic diarrhea and fail to grow properly until all gluten containing products are taken out of the child's diet" (Edelson, 49). You probably didn't even consider food additives as being something that would cause an allergic reaction. Well this food additive named Tartrazine, better known as FD&C (Food, Drug & Cosmetic) No. 5 has been suspected of creating asthmatic attacks & chronic hives. Tartrazine sensitivity is also linked to aspirin sensitivity.