Articles
Not so comforting food
Food can be a contributing factor with asthma. Equally important are dust mites, grasses, pollens, sensitivity to pets, smoking and sprays. All factors should be addressed. It is unwise to omit foods from the diet without adequate testing. Nutrition should not be compromised.
Food allergy or a food intolerance can both contribute to asthma.
Food Allergy
This is where the body reacts inappropriately to a food protein. The immune system is stimulated and anti-bodies to that food protein are produced. The next time that food is eaten, there will be a severe reaction because of the antibodies present. Most people are only allergic to one or two foods. The most common food allergens are cow's milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, seafood and possibly soybeans.
Food Intolerance
This occurs when people are sensitive to chemicals in food. They react to specific chemicals found naturally in foods or to artificial flavouring, preservatives and colours added to foods. The most common ones are salicylates, benzoates and amines.
Can you have both?
Some people with asthma may have food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies may be tested by skin pricks or blood tests. Food intolerances must be tested by removing and re-introducing foods. Some people develop symptoms of asthma through refluxing food.
How do I find out?
Visit your doctor, allergist or asthma specialist to be assessed and tested. If you come out with a positive skin or blood test, this means there is probably a food allergy. That food should then be tested under controlled conditions with the help of a doctor or dietitian. A positive blood test may not mean you will react when that food is eaten. For example you may react to wheat in a blood test but not notice any increase in symptoms when bread is eaten. In this case it could be the grasses and pollens in the air rather than the actual food. You may only react to cows milk from September to April when the cows are eating fresh grass. In this case you could try using a long life or powdered milk during these months. Food allergy is easy to recognise as reactions usually occur within minutes or hours after the food is ingested. The reaction usually occurs every time when even small amounts of the food are eaten.
Food Intolerance is more difficult as reactions occur due to a build up of chemicals. This can take several days and it is difficult to identify specific foods.
Usually a elimination diet is suggested where all food chemicals are excluded. If the symptoms improve then each food chemical group is re-introduced individually to establish tolerance of each chemical group.
Do I need to rigidly exclude all foods that I am allergic or intolerant to?
It is helpful for people with asthma to know which factors (food or environmental) make their symptoms worse. If pollen levels are high and offending foods are consumed at the same time then a severe attack could occur. It may be fine to include small quantities of offending foods when other triggering factors are not present.
How to test the reaction scientifically?
Peak flow meters can be borrowed or purchased to measure the lung capacity at any one time. This can be used to determine if a particular group of food chemicals or individual foods are giving an reaction. This should always be done under the guidance of the medical profession with more medication on hand if required. A base line is established, then the foods are tested and accurate records are kept.
What is available to help?
Dietitians can supply diets free of cow's milk, egg, wheat, peanuts, seafood and soybeans as well as diets for food intolerances.
Dr Ann Swain is the author of an excellent book on food intolerance called Friendly Foods. The Australian Canned Foods Information Service and the Australian Dairy Corporation both supply recipes to help people who need diets free of specific foods.
A well balanced diet can be achieved even if there are several food allergies and intolerances. The diet must still be nutritionally adequate when foods are eliminated. A nutritious diet will improve the over all health of people with asthma by providing optimum levels of vitamins, minerals and supporting the immune system.
Seek the help of professional people. Contact the :
Asthma Foundation : Telephone 9382 1666
Specialist and general practitioners
Accredited Practising Dietitians
Here is a milk, egg and wheat free recipe which is also low in food chemicals from The Friendly Cookbook by Dr Ann Swain and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Recipes
Chicken or veal stock : Clear stock for eating directly or use in other recipes.
Saffron Chicken & Rice : A complete meal in a pot.
Added to site on : Monday, 29 November 2004