Eight Allergies That Can Ruin Your Life Today and Create Havoc as You Grow Older

Our current health and longevity are affected by our digestive system. Food sensitivities and food allergies are major health problems for a few of us. Keep a food journal if you start to notice symptoms to help isolate what potential foods might be causing them.

Typical food sensitivities are:
• Milk proteins (especially casein and lactalbumin)
• Chicken protein
• Wheat protein
• Soy protein
• Corn protein
• Nightshade vegetables (eggplant, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes)
• Peanuts (because of the toxic mold, aflatoxin)
• Casein protein

Milk Proteins

Milk protein allergy symptoms are hives, wheezing, itching or tingling feeling around the lips or mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, coughing or shortness of breath, and vomiting.

Milk proteins are found in dairy products, buttermilk. skim milk. cheeses. yogurt, and ice cream

Chicken Proteins

Chicken protein symptoms are itchy, swollen, or watery eyes; runny, itchy nose; sneezing; difficulty breathing; scratchy, sore throat; coughing or wheezing; irritated, red skin, or an eczema-like rash; and itchy skin.

Chicken proteins are found in chicken meat, chicken feathers, and eggs.

Wheat Proteins

Wheat protein allergies are swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or throat; hives, itchy rash or swelling of the skin; nasal congestion; headaches, difficulty breathing, cramps, nausea, or vomiting; and diarrhea.

Wheat protein sources are wheat. However, wheat protein is found in many other products and may not be listed as wheat protein on the labels. Foods such as ale, Asian dishes, baked goods, batter-fried foods, beer, bread, breakfast cereals, candy, crackers, hot dogs, ice cream, marinara sauce, potato chips, rice cakes, salad dressings, sauces, soups and more can contain wheat protein.

Soy Proteins

Soy protein allergies are tingling in the mouth; hives; itching; itchy scaly skin; swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat; wheezing; running nose, difficulty breathing; abdominal pain; diarrhea; nausea; and vomiting.

Soy protein sources include soybeans, edamame, tofu, imitation beef products, miso, soy milk, soy nuts, and soy yogurt. Other food products that may contain soy are sauces, dressings, marinades, and tempeh

Corn Proteins

Corn protein allergy symptoms are vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, repetitive cough, tightness in the throat and hoarse voice.

Corn protein sources are widespread. Even careful label reading cannot guarantee the identification of corn protein. Some products are obvious since they have ‘corn’ in the title – corn, cornmeal, corn flour, corn bran, corn syrup, corn alcohol, and cornstarch. Because high fructose corn syrup is used as a sweetener in many products, it is found in many common foods today. Beware of the terms vegetable gum, maltodextrin, vegetable starch, and modified food starch.

Nightshade Proteins

Nightshade protein allergy symptoms are hives, rashes, itchiness, nausea, vomiting, excessive mucus production, achy muscles and joints, and inflammation. Note that some people are allergic to the alkaloids in nightshades rather than the protein. The symptoms of alkaloid allergies are similar to nightshade protein allergies.

Nightshade sources are tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and any spices that are sourced from peppers (cayenne, paprika, etc.).

Peanut Proteins

Peanut protein allergies are runny nose, skin reactions (hives, redness, or swelling), itching or tingling around the mouth and throat, digestive problems (diarrhea, cramps, nausea, or vomiting), tightening of the throat, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Peanut is not a nut, but a legume. It can be found in baked goods, candy, sweets, cereals, granola, trail mix, chili, soups, grain products, and high energy bars.

In general, peanuts grown in the United States are generally safe. However, the origin of the peanuts you buy is not always identified on the container. Aflatoxin is a mold (Aspergillus flavus). It can occur in legumes (peanuts), seeds, corn, wheat, and other crops. Extreme heat, before harvesting, provides a prime environment for aflatoxin to grow. Aflatoxin can cause serious liver damage. It is a liver carcinogen in some animals.

Casein Proteins

Casein is a protein found in dairy, specifically milk. There two types – A1 and A2. A1 casein is found primarily in Holstein and Friesian cows (common breeds in Western Europe, North America, and Australia). A2 casein comes from cows raised in Africa, Asia, Iceland, and southern Europe. A2 casein comes from Jersey cows and goat’s milk.

A1 casein is highly inflammatory in some people. It is formed by splitting the protein from a powerful immune-modulating opiate called, casomorphin. Most people have a reaction to A1 casein, not A2 casein.

A1 casein protein allergy symptoms are swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face, or throat; skin rashes such as hives, itchy skin, and reddened skin; nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, or wheezing.

A1 casein has been shown to trigger
● Type 1 diabetes
● Coronary artery disease
● Autoimmune disease
● Lymphatic congestion
● Metabolic suppression
● Weight gain
● Endometriosis
● Acne
● Eczema
● Upper respiratory infections
● Asthma

General Note

The symptoms of food allergies are very similar. When allergies become serious the symptoms change and can endanger your life. Beware when any of the symptoms above broaden into serious trouble breathing, heart palpitations, a racing heart, a drop in blood pressure, and a loss of consciousness. These are symptoms of anaphylaxis. Contact your physician or hospital immediately.