Joint Pain - Food Intolerance, Allergies and Chemicals

As a long term pain-sufferer I have spent many many hours carrying out research from various sources to try to find reasons as to why I am in such pain (especially when I show no visable sign/s of physical cause/injury).

I have asked questions and sought answers from the medical practitioners point of view, the alternative therapist's point of view, other pain-sufferers point of view and then my own point of view.

It was whilst following up something that was said to me that I came across a real interesting article titled "Food Allergies and Chemicals" written by Dorothy Bowes, President of Allergy Association Australia.

This is what she had to say ...

"The term 'allergy' was taken from the Greek words of 'allos' and 'ergon'. It was coined by a physician, Dr von Pirquet at the turn of the century and means 'an altered state of reactivity'.

We have in our body an 'Immune System' which is essentially there to combat infection and it is the immune system that reacts inappropriately to something that it does not recognise (ie. dust, mould, grass, food, etc).

These reactions usually take the form of hives, rhinitis, eczema, asthma, severe stomach cramps, joint pain and in some severe cases the throat swells cutting off the air supply causing an anaphylactic shock and this can result in death. Allergy can be a life threatening situation and should not be taken lightly.

Fortunately, most people suffer with Food Intolerance and/or Chemical Sensitivity. This is not recognised as a true allergic response, but causes a wide variety of symptoms and is more like a long term, low dose or chronic problem. Some medical practitioners refer to this type of reaction as a 'pharmacological' response rather than an allergic reaction.

Food Intolerance is much more common than true Food Allergy but the symptoms of Food Intolerance, although less severe can cause many chronic health problems.

Everything in nature is a collection of chemicals and this is true of our food. What is commonly thought to be a good diet of foods such as wheat, milk, eggs, meat ... is not necessarily good for you.

Quite often it is one of the more naturally occurring chemical components that is the problem rather than the food itself. An example of this is Salicylate which occurs in most strongly flavoured fruits and vegetables (eg. pineapple).

The salicylate molecule is similar in structure to Benzoic Acid and the Acetyl-Salicylic Acid in Aspirin. It is part of the the naturally occurring preservative in the fruit as well as behaving as an insecticide.

Salicylates in sensitive persons can cause mouth ulcers, rashes, sinusitis and is highly implicated in behavioural problems especially with hyper-active children. Some people complain of joint pain after eating food high in salicylate and people with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) will often respond favourably when put on a low-salicylate diet.

People with Salicylate Sensitivity often react to petrochemicals due to the structure of the salicylate molecule which is an aromatic benzene ring. This particular molecule is easily able to permeate membranes.

Treatment of allergy and allergic type disorders is basically simple - Rule No. 1 is always avoidance.

Generally, no medication is necessary, but those on restricted diets usually have to look at supplementing with vitamins and minerals. Also the right amount of exercise, rest and a positive approach to life should never be overlooked."

Food additives have increased dramatically in the last twenty plus years.

Manufacturers add preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilisers and antioxidants that can in sensitive people cause many adverse reactions and many people have no knowledge of what is causing them to feel so sick, tired and in pain.

It is the hidden allergens that are often the problem.

What Can You Do To Help Yourself?

Drink purified filtered water - up to 8 glasses a day if possible.

Avoid tinned and packaged processed food when possible.

Grow your own fruit and vegetables (organically).

Get yourself tested for allergens so that you know what to restrict.

Swim in a salt-water pool if possible.

Learn how diet and removal of allergenic foods can help you to alleviate pain.

Eat and drink known allergen-causing foods and drink in moderation.

Try an 'elimination diet' where you intentionally remove possible allergen-causing foods from your diet for a period of up to a week.

You can grow out of your allergen/s, as your resistance improves but it often changes its symptoms so you need to be aware of what is happening as you go about eliminating this and that in your quest to have better health whilst living a pain-free life.

Balance and moderation are important in proper health and nutrition.

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UrsulaRose

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