KNOWLEDGE TO EMPOWER YOU WHEN MAKING DIETARY DECISIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY Overview: – Signs & symptoms of sensitivities in kids: Respiratory, Physical, Emotional – How Dr. Noosha approaches healing food sensitivity – Specific categories & symptoms
- How we approach healing food sensitivity: 1st rule out leaky gut & go through a 3-6 month elimination / reintroduction phase to see what you are truly sensitive to after a period of serious reactivity and once we move your body out of it’s flare state.
Specific categories of food sensitivities & intolerances that may be affecting your child:
Sulfite allergy vs. sensitivity:
What are sulfites? Sulfites are chemicals that are in some foods, either naturally or as additives. They are generally used as antimicrobials in lots of factories that kill bacteria on the food lines.
- Some kids can be allergic, while others may be sensitive. Remember, in sensitivities symptoms stem from the digestive system instead of the immune system.
- Foods high in sulfites: dried fruits, lemon juice, processed foods, jams/jellies
Histamine intolerance:
- You may think of Histamine and automatically think of allergies, but histamine has MANY functions in our bodies. It helps regulate NUMEROUS physiological processes including secreting gastric acid and helping produce enzymes, it plays a huge role in the inflammatory process and can serve as a neurotransmitter. Biochemically histamine is both a pro & anti – inflammatory at different receptors within the body.
- Symptoms: asthma, hives, eczema, anxiety, hayfever, diarrhea
- Foods high in histamines: alcohol/other fermented beverages, fermented foods & dairy products (including dairy & sauerkraut), dried fruits, avocados, eggplant, spinach, processed or smoked meats, shellfish
- Natural anti-histamines:
- Nutrients: quercetin, bromelain, vitamin C, probiotics
- Herbs: stinging nettle, butterbur, feverfew goldenrod, mullein leaf, rosemary, ginger, eucalyptus, onion – to name a few.
- Other natural modalities:
- learn to nasal breath
- weekly neti pot
- contrast showers every time especially as the season changes and spring blooms
- facial/lymphatic gua sha
- nasal sprays (sinus protocols)
- throat sprays!
- contrast showers
Oxalate sensitivity:
- What are oxalates? They are naturally occurring molecules found in plants & humans. Because they help to get plants to dispose of extra calcium, many plant foods are high in oxalates. For some people, this can cause a problem.
- Symptoms: burning feet, cloudy urine, fatigue, pain, urinary pain, low muscle tone, poor growth in kids.
- Although we’re talking about children, consider limiting foods high in oxalates if you have a history of kidney stones! Removing the top 5 foods highest in oxalates shows to help (spinach, almonds, rhubarb, beets & raspberries)
- Foods highest in oxalates: spinach, almonds, rhubarb, beets & raspberries
- Other foods high in oxalates: tofu, soy milk, potatoes, navy beans, dates, nuts & nut butters.
- There are also medium/low oxalate foods so working with a dietician specializing in kidney health can be helpful if you need more than just a list to avoid…
Salicylate sensitivity:
- What are salicylates? This is a general term for chemicals that have salicylic acid as their base. It is a naturally occurring organic acid found in a variety of plants. These plants produce it as part of their defense system against diseases, insects, bacteria and environmental stress.
- Symptoms: THE MAIN IS HYPERACTIVITY IN KIDS; red cheeks, irritability, defiance, bed wetting, rashes, aggression (think ADHD type symptoms)
Let’s dive in: if you or your child is experiencing any of these signs & symptoms, we can help investigate the root cause with functional testing and clinical conversations! Reach out to find out more!
- Respiratory signs of a food sensitivity: asthma, bronchitis, snoring, sinus issues, frequent colds
- Physical signs of a food sensitivity: nausea, stomach pain or cramps, gas/bloating, vomiting, heartburn or reflux, constipation/diarrhea, headaches/migraines
- LOCAL EENT ISSUES (EYE, EAR, NOSE, THROAT ISSUES): chronic ear infections, congested ears, puffy/swollen/itchy eyes, dark circles around eyes, itchy nose/throat
- SYSTEMIC SIGNS:stomach aches, headaches, skin issues(hives, itchiness, random rashes that come & go)
- Emotional signs of a food sensitivity: mood swings, irritability, tantrums, frustration, hyperactivity, aggression
How I approach identifying & healing food sensitivities & intolerances:
- Chances are if you have a food allergy and you are an adult you already know this and have an epi pen on hand. If you’re concerned your child may have allergies, please talk to their pediatrician, or seek out an allergy specialist (they will test IgE antibody levels for this type of allergy which is again more serious and may be life threatening)
- Healing food sensitivities & intolerances is an area where naturopathic medicine shines. My job is to educate you on your options and help you decide on a path that feels right for you! These are those less serious, but equally damaging reactions that occur over time and contribute to inflammation and are perpetuated by a leaky gut, imbalanced microbiome & overreactive immune system!
- Food intolerances are commonly diagnosed by elimination diets specifically designed to narrow down offending foods. Through other functional testing methods we can also run a food sensitivity panel (1 of 2).
- Elimination diets remove foods most commonly associated with intolerances for a period of time until symptoms subside. Foods are then reintroduced one at a time while monitoring for symptoms.
- This type of diet helps people identify which food or foods are causing symptoms based on your individual body.
- How I as a naturopathic doctor approach them (giving you options to choose what feels right because any and all these paths work. It’s about choosing the one that feels most right to you and committing to it!)
- 1) Elimination diet of the top 8 allergens (or we can work on your specific triggers that you know or we can run a food sensitivity test) for 3-6 months
- 2) Reintroduction phase
Follow for more education, check us out on socials & reach out if you’re interested in working with Dr. Noosha 1:1!