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Staying Healthy Today with Kirk Hamilton
July 19, 2009
"The Elimination Diet - The Most Powerful Tool In Medicine"
In seeing patients for more than 25 years I can honestly say that there is not a symptom that I have not seen that was at some point or another caused by a food. And, eliminating offending foods has led to more dramatic results than any therapy I have ever experienced.
Most people get used to chronic complaints from foods and are used to chronically not feeling well, or better said, not optimal. Sometimes you don't know how bad you feel until the foods are taken away.
While food allergy tests can be helpful, there is no one test that tests for all "food sensitivities." Not in the blood, skin tests, electroacupuncture or by muscle testing. While with skilled practitioners and good companies these methods can be helpful, they are not the sole answer. Observation by the person with and without a suspected food it the key.
Here is a short list of symptoms that I have seen over the years frequently caused or aggravated by food intolerance - from head to toe:
Headaches; frequent ear, sinus and throat infections; chronic nose bleeds; chronically swollen glands in the neck; snoring or sleep apnea; chronic cough; heart burn, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constripation, diarrhea; chronic bladder infections; rectal itching; joint pain anywhere; sometimes muscle aches; a skin rash anywhere on the body; sleepyness after meals or 'brain fog'; fatigue and lethargy; and difficulty sleeping. Now anyone of these complaints can be from something else besides food so you should always see your doctor for these complaints. But while your physician is looking for reasons why you have these complaints, or just treating you symptomatically with a medication, try some of the tips below. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find out about yourself!
Another point many times misunderstood is that food intolerance is not always fixed. Sensitivities to foods can change because our physiology and overall exposures change. One of the most important areas where change can occur is the lining of our 'gut'. The surface area of our gut is huge and has an immune system all its own. If it breaks down for any reason (medications, infections, chronic food intolerance, medical procedures, etc.) we will have more food sensitivity!
Here are some simple things you can do and be aware of. Remember any food can cause a reaction. No matter how perfect it is nutritionally.
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Eat whole foods only, 1/2 your food intake is vegetables and either eliminate ALL milk products from ANY animal (milk, cheese, yogurt, icecream, sour cream, cottage cheese, kiefer, etc) for one month or eat off the BED Diet food list (see Educational Handouts www.prescription2000.com ).
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Keep a diet-symptom-diary of foods eaten and symptoms (see Educational Handouts on the home page).
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Eat slowly and chew your food very well - allows digestive juices to get to more of your food more easily.
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Avoid stomach acid blocking medications (for heart burn) and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID (pain medications like ibuprofen) if possible. Acid blocking drugs may hinder digestion and increase the likelihood of an overgrowth of bacteria that may aggravate your symptoms in the long run, and the NSAIDs can damage the lining of your gut making it more 'permeable' and therefore you become more susceptible to food intolerance.
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Take probiotics. Good bacteria that has been proven to improve the immune function in the gut and antagonize "bad" bacteria or fungi.
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Reduce your allergic load - clean up environmental sensitivities, especially in your home, especially in your bed room. www.nationalallergysupply.com.
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Saline rinse of sinuses.
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Digestive enzymes and betaine HCL with meals.
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Daily multivitamin/mineral, vitamin C, quercetin, magnesium, omega-3 fats from fish or flax and primrose or borage oil.
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Stool exams from labs competent at looking for backerial overgrowth, parasites or fungi such as Doctor's Data, Genova or Metametrix.
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Food intolerance blood testing realizing the limitations of IgG and/or IgE testing.
Until we talk again, have a great day and "Stay and Be Well"
Kirk
***This newsletter is strictly informational and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. Please see your personal physician for your specific health problems.
copyright © 2009 by Prescrption 2000, Inc.
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