Blackrock Wellness ELIMINATION DIETS AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Food allergies and food intolerances can cause many symptoms, which are often blamed on other conditions. By isolating trigger foods, it is possible to eliminate symptoms. ANEMIA/VITAMIN DEFICIENCY: - Since iron deficiency is often caused by gastrointestinal problems, elimination of trigger foods can help the digestive system work properly, which allows people to absorb the necessary nutrients. AUTISM/ADHD: - The Autism Research Institute and other advocacy groups currently recommend a gluten-free, casein-free diet as a treatment for autism and related disorders. Reports of success from parents and teachers have been overwhelming, ranging from “no improvement shown” to “complete recovery.” AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS: - Elimination diets are often recommended for patients with autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Graves’ disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, asthma, and chronic inflammatory conditions. CELIAC DISEASE: - Sufferers of celiac disease report gradual improvement of health conditions after the elimination of gluten in their diets. However, some people report a return of symptoms after a very minimal amount of gluten, as just a small portion can damage villi, and begin the healing process all over again. CHRONIC PAIN: - People with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or other chronic/psychosomatic pain have found relief by eliminating trigger foods from their diets. This process may take some time, and a lengthy food journal, until the trigger foods are found, but people often find the freedom from pain and medications to be worth the work. DEPRESSION: - Many sufferers of depression and anxiety have been able to avoid prescription medications by gaining control over their diets and finding trigger foods that cause mood swings. Most of the foods involved in allergies/intolerances can cause symptoms of depression in certain people. HIGH CHOLESTEROL/GOUT: - Reduction or elimination of animal-based products can help by reducing the amount of consumed cholesterol, and also reducing the amount of uric acid in the blood. INFERTILITY: - Though infertility can be blamed on many different causes, the symptoms of food intolerance can be a nonfunctioning reproductive system. Elimination diets may reverse infertility in some people. If you believe a trigger food might be causing your symptoms, an elimination diet is time-consuming but rewarding. Start with a food journal. Record what you eat and how you feel afterwards. Next, isolate trigger foods, starting with those most commonly known to cause intolerances. You may not immediately see a difference, but keep trying. After several weeks, if you have not experienced any alleviation of symptoms, choose a new trigger food to eliminate. Keep that food journal going! Finding what is causing your pain and getting rid of it can make a vast improvement in your quality of life! Do you have food intolerances or a specific dietary choice? The general acceptance that what is offered on the supermarket shelf is what we should be eating can be very wrong. Possible Symptoms of Food Allergies or Intolerances Do you want to go gluten-free but are on a budget? Resources for dietary differences in the Reno/Sparks area Online resources for dietary differences