what is the root cause of allergies?

[littlehawksmom]

So many people have food sensitivies. A seemingly increasing number. I do not think this is a 'normal' human condition, but rather a symptom of something else. Possibly an immune system imbalance caused by vaccine damage or other environmental damage, or a (genetic?) reaction to bad food (I mean additives, GMO, rancid food like grains which begin to go rancid as soon as the germ is exposed i.e. ground up), or a chronic ph imbalance...
I am brainstorming here. And theorizing. And hoping to learn. And hoping that the end-all sloution is something other thatn eliminating so many foods.
Any thoughts?

[wendy1221]

Well, no one really knows, but there are theories. Allergies DO run in families, so there must be some sort of genetic thing. But I also think it has a lot to do w/ overly processed foods and all the chemicals our foods are bathed in.

[mamakay]

I don't really agree with this guy entirely, but this is an interesting theory.
http://dogtorj.tripod.com/id4.html

He might be right, though...

[danaan]

I think it's because food in our times and society is grown for production, mechanical handling, and shipping, not nutrition. While there are thousands of foods on the planet, about nine plants form most of the foods we eat in the US/Canada today. I believe we are meant to eat small amounts of a wide variety of foods rather than so much wheat, corn, cow milk, russet potatoes, and so on. I notice that when I eat a wide enough variety I can tolerate small amounts of gluten and dairy much better.

[amyandelle]

I think antibiotics play a very big role in food allergies/intolerances.
Amy

[Panserbjorne]

It really is all about gut damage-regardless of where it came from. You can be genetically predisposed, but the intolerance won't take root so to speak in an inhospitable environment. Vaccines, antibiotics, formula feeding, heavy metal exposure, yeast, and the S.A.D. all play a part. There was a thread started by JaneS awhile back (July 2005?) entitled, "not sure if alot of food allergies are allergies" or something like that. You may want to search for it and check it out. I'd do it for you, but I'm useless with stuff like that!

[myrrhmaid]

Herbally-skin is related to liver-so if allergies manifest as skin eruptions/hives then a liver cleanse may be in order.
Friendly flora is also so important to our systems and plays a big part.
Antibiotics can kill off the friendly flora in the gut and cause problems.
I think some food allergies can be from toxicities and sensitivities to certain chemicals that are used in agriculture.

[Panserbjorne]

It is interesting that you chould post that, I've ben thinking alot about it lately. I have celiac disease-an autoimmune condition that went undiagnosed so long (11 years) that I ended up with a damaged liver. My symptoms were GI related, but when I eliminated gluten the horrible acne I have had for the last ten years completely cleared! I am pg and bf so I can't do a cleanse, but I"m doing alot to support!

[aNewMamma]

I am as puzzled about the origin or introduction of food allergies. It is definitely a new trend on the rise. Neither of our families (my husband's & mine) have had ANY history of food allergies (we come from India) & yet my nephew and my son both have exhibited multiple allergies - to peanut, sesame, dairy. It is very disturbing - they were both born in the United states while we moved to this country about 10 years ago. There must be something wrong in what we are doing & we have no clue what it is!
R.

[flitters]

I'm very interested in this too. My ds is 15 months old, never had formula, never vaxed, never received antibiotics or any other pharmaceutical med, eats mostly organics as do I. I think I may have some yeast issues, not sure, but he is currently sensitive to dairy, eggs and wheat. They give him awful gas, milk he almost instantly throws up, and wheat gave him a chronic cough (and more bad gas) till we figured out the problem. I have some allergies (including tree nuts), dh has none. I really hope he outgrows these...

[alwayslearning2]

CHildren's Hospital is conducting a study about food allergies and genetics... I'll look for the link