If you think your food chemical symptoms seem to be less well understood or accepted than they were in the past, you are probably right! Many health professionals feel that if food sensitivity has not been clearly proved by now it deserves to disappear into history. It should not disappear! These two conflicting ideas: that symptoms one group know are related to their diet, and scientists who want the symptoms and diet to be neat and easily researched, need to be resolved. Forty years ago … [Read more...]
Rash around the mouth
Hi Joan, My 15-month old daughter has been suffering from a rash around her mouth ever since she started solids. We have seen an immunologist as my daughter also has a fish allergy (hives and vomiting after ingestion, positive on RAST test and skin prick test). The immunologist wasn't too concerned about the rash and thinks it is eczema. He thinks dairy might be contributing and said to still include dairy but limit. We are using cortisone, moisturisers and barrier creams and the rash may … [Read more...]
What food caused your headache reaction?
Did you react to more of those just-perfect bananas or the exquisite red papaya during a holiday in North Queensland? What about the slightly spicy salt (it was not the usual high-MSG one), or the increased vanilla ice cream in the lovely warm afternoons? What about that strong smell in the rent-a-car? What about the not-very-yellow batter on your fish with plain chips, or the tiny dip into the gravy you asked to be served separately on the otherwise plain roast? Was the meat or fish not as … [Read more...]
Babies are food gourmets who can’t talk
Imagine you had to feed a friend who was a food gourmet but who for some reason, could not talk. You would try to imagine all the aspects of food that may make a difference to his enjoyment so you could get it right. You would think how discriminating your friend would be about the quality of the food, its taste, appearance, aroma, presentation, and so on. Now imagine this person is your baby. When we watch chefs describe the importance of getting the flavour, crispness, blending of textures, … [Read more...]
Diet and IBS – what can you do?
There is no one diet that is just what you do for IBS. It is a whole process of investigation to find the diet that is just the right one for you. Diet Detective Work is not just a gimmick. It is a scientific and practical way to find what symptoms change and how much, so the effort is worthwhile. It would be great if it was a clear diet and you could get diet sheets and solve it quickly. Here I will summarise the steps. The easy to read detail is in Are You Food Sensitive? Write down … [Read more...]
Burp relief for unusual symptoms
Dear Joan, thanks for your books and this site, which my dietitian put me onto. I have established that salicylates and many amines have a negative impact on me and see many of my symptoms described here on the blog. Which is reassuring somehow that I am not alone. However one I do not see mentioned and which disturbs me the most (perhaps because no one else has mentioned it) is an odd congestion I get in the upper neck and throat and face. The sensation is like my throat is swelling and the … [Read more...]
Is yeast connected to IBS and bleeding gums?
Hi Joan, My wife has a long (10 year plus) history of irritable bowel type symptoms, inflamed and bleeding gums (that have receded significantly in places). But long story short, she has just had a food sensitivity blood test (through a company called nutripath) that has shown high sensitivity to yeast and low sensitivity to cocoa, sugar and wheat. She is also waiting results of a stool test. I am wondering whether yeast sensitivity is something you have worked with? Or if you have any advice … [Read more...]