Non-Food Allergies & Diet
Is there a link? By Charlotte Meschede - Nutritionist
As we enter the winter period, and hence cooler temperatures, the resurgence of allergies or allergic symptoms, to be more precise, is evident. Sometimes allergies are seasonal and only appear when the pollen counts are high, but there are people who constantly suffer from allergic symptoms, such as typical nasal symptoms (blocked nose, rhinitis, post-nasal drip), upper respiratory tract symptoms such as wheezing, asthma, coughing and tightness in the chest, to skin presentations such as rashes, hives, dermatitis and non-specific pruritis (itching). When there are food allergies, it is obvious that there will be dietary implications. If the specific allergy includes a whole food group, for example, fish, then the individual should see a dietician to make sure that he/ she is eating sufficient nutrients that would otherwise be provided by fish. However, when it comes to non-food allergies, I am often asked: “Can diet affect the severity of my allergic symptoms when exposed to allergens? For example, many people assume that eating dairy foods can aggravate allergic symptoms such as excess mucous, post-nasal drip and cough. What are allergies and what are the most common non-food allergens? An allergy occurs when your body’s immune system sees a certain substance as harmful. It reacts by causing an allergic reaction. Substances that can cause allergic reactions are allergens. There are many types of allergies as well as different types of allergic responses. Allergies have been classified into 4 different types (by British immunologists Coombs and Gell). 14
Jul- Aug 2021 / to order call 011-675-0477
Type I, II AND III are called immediate allergies as they are expressed within 24 hours of exposure to the allergen. Type IV is a delayed allergic reaction because it occurs 24 hours or more after exposure to the allergen. Type I – These reactions are mediated by specific proteins called IgE. These proteins cause swelling and inflammation and are an emergency if the patients stops breathing (anaphylaxis). Typical Type I allergies include pet dander, dust mites, food and pollen. Type II – These are known as cytotoxic reactions and are the result of the formation of proteins called IgM or IgG antibodies. These reactions are common in autoimmune disorders such as haemolytic anaemia, immune thrombocytopenia and autoimmune neutropenia. Type III – these allergic reactions are also initiated by IgM and IgG antibodies and they are responsible for the allergic reactions seen in Lupus or serum sickness.
