Food Allergy – Elimination Diet for The Relief of Psoriasis Symptoms

Many people affected with psoriasis believe that certain food allergies are a trigger to their psoriasis condition.

It has been shown that a certain protein that causes mast cells (related to allergies) to recruit inflammatory cells is higher in people with psoriasis.

Food intolerances can upset peoples metabolisms and lead to flare-ups of psoriasis. The food intolerance causes a dysfunction of the immune system.

Food intolerances as well as food allergies cause an increase in the level of inflammation in our bodies. The allergies are usually associated with an increase in IgE antibodies, and the intolerances often cause an increase in IgG antibodies. In both cases, the level of inflammation in the body goes up.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder where our immune system gets revved up and has difficulty going back to normal. Part of the inflammatory process is the production of chemicals called cytokines by certain white cells (some of the T-lymphocytes) that are sitting in our skin tissue. These cytokines cause our skin cells to multiply too fast, making psoriasis lesions. So anything that increases inflammation in our bodies will likely make psoriasis symptoms worse.

There are certain foods that for some reason cause an inflammatory reaction when we eat them. This would be a "food sensitivity." These foods cause some substance that causes an inflammatory reaction in our intestinal wall.

If you suffer from psoriasis, the best way to find out if you have a food sensitivity on your own is to do an elimination diet. Basically, you cut out all foods except one or two generally safe foods, like rice and carrots, for 5 days or so. If you have a food sensitivity, your psoriasis should start getting better by that time, so you’ll know it’s worthwhile going on. Then, one by one, you add one food to your diet every day or two and see what happens

Conclusion:

Elimination of prospective food allergies and food sensitivities can result in psoriasis improvement, from a minor to a major degree.

The following are some of the more common foods that are known to aggravate psoriasis outbreaks in many people, although it can conceivably be any food or even non–food, that can contribute to psoriasis outbreaks.

1. Gluten

There is clear evidence that in some people gluten causes inflammation and psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin.

Recent research has shown a connection between the most common forms of psoriasis and problems digesting gluten-a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, spelt, and barley.

Click here to read more about the connection between psoriasis and gluten Intolerance.

2. Dairy Products

Milk is a known allergen. It is a well-known fact that, over seventy percent of the world’s population cannot properly digest cows milk due to lactose intolerance, (a deficiency of the enzyme lactase necessary for milk digestion).

Many people don’t have sufficient amounts of the lactase enzyme, which is needed to properly digest the lactose found in milk. Products such as yogurt, hard cheese, and butter, are usually much better tolerated due to their lower lactose content.

This being the case, milk consumption will for allergic individuals cause an almost immediate outbreak of psoriasis lesions. [The protein in cow's milk frequently is only partly digested and becomes a major source of intestinal putrefaction and toxemia. Incompletely digested protein may pass the wall of the small intestine and cause allergy].

In addition, many psoriasis patients suffer from digestive disorders, and milk products are known to be prime causes of digestive problems due to their high mucous content.

Removing milk and other commercially produced dairy products from the diet has often caused a dramatic improvement in eczema/psoriasis and asthma in children as well as adults.

If you are absolutely certain that you are not in any way allergic to dairy products, then you can consume small amounts of commercially produced low fat dairy products: such as; low fat milk [2%, 1% milk, or skim milk], yogurt, cheddar cheese, and unsalted butter.

As an alternative to standard cows milk products drink Goat’s Milk

Many people, who suffer from digestive disorders, and/or lactose intolerance including those who suffer from psoriasis, find that they can much better tolerate goat’s milk.

A highly recommended dried Goats milk product is Goatien produced by Garden Of Life USA Inc. This product is made from goats that are fed only natural feed, and are free of all growth hormones. Goatien is a rich source of protein, nutrients, and enzymes.

3. Corn

Some people might experience gas or bloating when consuming corn products.

4. Sulfites

Most commonly found in wines, dried fruits, and baked goods. Sulfites are a well- known skin irritant. Since sulfites come in many different names, you will have to carefully check the package labels.

5. Synthetic colors, flavors and preservatives

Synthetic colors, flavors and preservatives  can cause allergic reactions due to their totally synthetic origin.  Many people do not realize that common additives such as food dyes actually stimulate the body’s inflammatory pathways.

It is would  therefore be highly advisable for you to reduce your consumption of all products that contain artificial preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, flavor enhancers, and all products that contain BHT, BHA, Benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, and brominated vegetable oil.

The following additives are known skin irritants: Therefore, special attention is called for in avoiding products that contain them: Brominated Vegetable Oil [BVO], BHT, BHA, and cottonseed oil. [The pesticides sprayed on the cottonseeds are known skin irritants].

6. Nuts

Your digestive system might not be strong enough to be able to properly digest nuts such as peanuts, peanut butter, and cashews.  Natural nutrient rich Pumpkin seed butter is a great alternative to peanut butter for most people with nut allergies.

7. Citrus fruits

Fruits  like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines may cause problems due to their high acid content. Since psoriatics tend to have an over acidic ph- condition, eating citrus fruits will only add to this problem.

Many people with digestive trouble will also have adverse symptoms when drinking commercially produced orange juice due to its overly acidic nature.

Freshly made orange juice being that the natural enzymes are still active is generally much better tolerated even by those who suffer from digestive disorders.

8. The nightshades

There is evidence to suggest that the nightshade vegetables aggravate the symptoms in many psoriasis patients, In particular, those afflicted with psoriatic arthritis

The nightshade vegetables include tomatoes, white potatoes, (red potatoes are fine), eggplant, paprika, green peppers and hot peppers.

Extensive research on the relation between inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and the consumption of the nightshade vegetables, has been conducted by Dr Norman F. Childers, author of the best –selling book Arthritis-Childers Diet To Stop It, [currently out of print. Try Amazon.com for available used copies]. For more information on the research of Dr Childers, visit the website of the Arthritis Nightshades Research Foundation, founded by Dr Childers.

Of course, if you find that these vegetables do not cause you any problems, then at all costs go ahead and enjoy them. They are very good sources of vital nutrients after all.

9. Shellfish

Some people are allergic to the proteins found in shellfish. These include: abalone clam: cherrystone, littleneck, pismo, quahog crab and crawfish. Crayfish, lobster and langouste. Langousine, scampo, coral, tomalley, mussels, oyster and scallops. Mollusks shrimp, prawns, crevette cockle, periwinkle, and sea urchin. In order to avoid foods that contain shellfish, it is important to read food labels.

Not all of the above except for synthetic colors and dairy will necessarily affect all psoriatics. Common sense is called for in determining if you are allergic to them or not.

How can you uncover your delayed reaction, hidden food allergies?

Because delayed reaction food allergies do not make themselves apparent immediately and can be caused by multiple foods, they are very difficult to detect without sophisticated laboratory testing. There are many forms of allergy testing available such as computerized cytotoxic, applied kinesiology, Vega tests, and others, but each of these tests share the same critical disadvantage… they are frequently unreliable.

The most reliable delayed food allergy test currently available is the IgG ELISA food intolerance kit.

This test is an improved IgG ELISA test for antibodies against 96 different foods reflective of a typical American diet. It replaces the previous Food-Scan food allergy test that required filling a small tube of blood, sending the test to England and a results turnaround time of 4-6 weeks. Now, simply stick your finger and saturate a small pad with a blood sample. Mail it in the provided, stamped envelope and get result within about 1-2 weeks after receipt by the lab.

Click on http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/igg_elisa_food_intolerance_test_kit.php to learn more about the IgG ELISA test.

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