Food allergies or food intolerances are very common in the United States. Some theories as to why these are increased incidence of food intolerance include an increased stress load on the immune system from the pollutants, chemicals, foods and water, earlier weaning and the premature introduction of solid foods to infants, less variety in foods eaten. Symptoms of food intolerance may be mild to debilitating and may occur immediately after ingesting the offending food. However, the majority of symptoms are delayed and show up several days, making food allergy identification more difficult. The reactions can be caused by a food protein, starch or food component, or a contaminant such as food coloring or preservative. Many reactions express themselves in many forms and in many different areas of the body. Some common signs of food allergy are:

Digestive: gas, diarrhea, colic, canker sores, constipation, irritable colon, irregular stool pattern

Urinary: chronic bladder infection

Respiratory: chronic earaches, sinusitis, chronic bronchitis

Immune: chronic repeated infections

Skin: acne, eczema, hives, itchy skins

Muscles: headache, painful joints

Treatment of food allergy

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