What Supplements Should I take??

Now that you have discovered your food allergens and eliminated them let's talk supplements.

It seems that most folks have this inner feeling that they should be taking a general all round supplement, most often a multi-vitamin.  Once the decision is made these same folks do not think about supplementation until something happens to their health or a friend tries to sign them up on a business plan selling the greatest "new" supplement that is guaranteed to carry them to financial success.

Some folks recognize the need for more than a multi-vitamin and do their own research (via the Internet) to come up with 10-12 supplements that they are sure is going to restore their fountain of youth.

None of the above scenarios are recommended.

There are basically three kinds of people that need supplements.  First are those people having multiple symptoms (recognized or unrecognized) that do not yet have a diagnosed health problem.  Second   are those that are near to or new to a diagnosis of a health problem.  Third are those folks that have been on medications for a while for a specific set of health problems.

This week we talk about group one.  Shotgun supplementation is no better than shotgun medicine.  You need to get organized and focused.  For my folks (really the only ones I can focus on) I suggest filling out my Systems Survey.  If you are my patient you can stop by the office and pick one up; or you can e-mail your request and I will forward it to you, there is no charge for this service.  If you are not a patient of mine, you can e-mail your request and I will forward the survey to you.  There is no charge for this.  However, for the non patient, for liability reasons, I will give you the results of the survey only, but not a recommendation for the supplements, unless you send me a consent to treat form which I can supply to you.

The Systems Survey will organize the various symptoms you are having into a suggested list of conditions that you may have going on.  This list is not definitive but only a suggestion and is not diagnosing your problems.  However, I have used it for over 35 years to help my patients feel better.There is no guarantee.

Please e-mail for your survey, for informational purposes.  There is no charge.  This is a free service.

Take It Out . . . . Put It Back!!

Last week I discussed how to eliminate your food allergy.  I hope you started then because you would be one week into your elimination.

Briefly, eliminate the suspected food intolerance completely from your diet for 2 weeks. After two weeks reintroduce one food item at a time and watch for reactions over the next 4 days. (I will cover what to look for).  Do this for each food item you suspect.  Your core food allergen/intolerance complicates the healing process by increasing the overall body inflammation.

The main food allergens are wheat (gluten), corn (zein), dairy (casein), soy, chocolate, peanuts, eggs, tomatoes and beef.

THE TEST:

Eliminate the suspected food intolerance completely from the diet for 2 weeks then reintroduce the suspected food and watch for reactions for 4 days (see below). 

Immediate histaminic response (within hours, that night or next day)

•  Red, burning eyes or teary eyes
• Tiredness, sleepiness
•  Headaches
• Mood changes, irritability
• Rashes, hives
• Nausea, cramps, diarrhea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Restlessness, difficulty sleeping

Delayed Immunological response (onset 2-7 days later)

•  Colds & flu
• Tiredness, sleepiness
•  Colored phlegm, inflammation of mucous membranes
• Fever
• Skin itching and irritation and dryness eczema
• Rashes and hives
•  Increase inflammation/pain
•  Achy body
•  Vomiting

Common Severe Allergy Symptoms are the following:

Dairy=skin eczema and respiratory conditions (asthma, etc.)
Wheat=excessive sweating, colitis, bowel irregularity and high blood pressure
Corn=neurological symptoms (like tremors, ticks, shakes seizures)
Soy is a learned food allergen, discontinue 3 months then many people can do limited amounts

Next week:  Determining what needs supplementing and which supplements to take.

Supplementation is a process

Supplementation is a process.  You have to know what your "needs" are before you decide what to take.  Some physicians depend on blood work to determine deficiencies.  In my opinion (and others), by the time a deficiency shows up in blood work the problems created are well advanced.  For example, most cases of arthritis are diagnosed after damage is done to the joints of the body.  If there were a way to determine that there is inflammation in the body that could lead to arthritis before the damage is done, would that be better?

Today, PART ONE of "THE PROCESS".

Determine your core food allergens.

This can be a simple process that you can do at home at no cost to you (no charge).    The majority of food allergies are delayed sensitivity reactions.  The most accurate way for you to determine the delayed sensitivity reaction is to eliminate the foods.

To do this, eliminate the suspected food intolerance completely from your diet for 2 weeks (I will suggest foods to consider).  After two weeks reintroduce one food item at a time and watch for reactions over the next 4 days. (I will cover what to look for).  Do this for each food item you suspect.  Your core food allergen/intolerance complicates the healing process by increasing the overall body inflammation.

The main food allergens are wheat (gluten), corn (zein), dairy (casein), soy, chocolate, peanuts, eggs, tomatoes and beef.  Start now to eliminate these items from your diet for two weeks.

Next week:  What to eliminate and what to expect.






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