Food Allergies and Food Intolerance - Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Book Reviews

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Food Allergies and Food Intolerance

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Food Allergies and Food Intolerance
The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment
By Jonathan Brostoff, M.D., and Linda Gamlin
Healing Arts Press, (2000)
ISBN: 0-89281-875-1

Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? What is the elimination diet? Can you prevent the development of a food sensitivity? What about chemical sensitivities? How are food allergens identified and treated? What controversies exist regarding food allergies? Can bacteria in the stomach contribute to someone developing a food sensitivity? These, and many more questions are answered in Food Allergies and Food Intolerance - The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment.

Written by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin, Food Allergies and Food Intolerance provides a comprehensive survey of the causes and treatments of food sensitivities, the current state of scientific research in the field, and the theories surrounding the idea that food intolerances may be a contributing factor in such disorders as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, migraines, and sinus problems. They provide a step-by-step guide that can be used to identify any possible food allergies or intolerances. Once you have identified any possible allergens, you can use this book to determine how you should change your diet to eliminate any problem foods. According to the authors, once your body is rid of these, personally, poisonous substances, you should find that your overall health improves substantially, and quickly!

Within the text of this book, the authors provide detailed information on what goes on in the body when it is undergoing an allergic reaction, including an explanation of what a Mast Cell is, and the role played by IgE (immunoglobulin E) in an allergic reaction. For example:

"What goes wrong in allergy is that the body makes IgE antibodies in response to an innocuous antigen, such as a food molecule." (Pg. 8).

The authors also explain how allergy testing works, and the various tests that are available, such as skin prick tests and RAST (radioallergosobrbent test) testing. They also include detailed information about the various treatments for food allergies and food intolerance, with a special emphasis given to the use of the elimination diet both as a diagnostic tool and as a treatment methodology.

Throughout, the text is enhanced by the inclusion of true-life stories that explain the various problems that people have had that were a result of food allergies or intolerances, and how they dealt with them. In addition, the text includes internal references to related topics within the text, allowing you to easily navigate through the text. While many technical terms are used in this book, the authors have taken pains to fully explain these terms in a clear and understandable manner.

Food Allergies and Food Intolerance - The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment is an intriguing book that illustrates how food intolerances / sensitivities can have a much wider impact than is commonly understood. The authors give a very informative, detailed explanation of how food allergies occur, and the allergic process itself. They explain this complex subject in a concise, informal manner, without talking down to the reader. Individuals with true food allergies, such as to peanuts, eggs, or soy will also find this to be an informative book with many practical suggestions on living a healthy, reaction-free life. Of special interest to those with true food allergies is the list of alternatives to common foods, which is included at the end of this book. This list not only points our common sources for a host of common foods such as corn, milk, rice, peanuts, potatoes, yeast, and more, but it also lists products where the allergen might be a hidden ingredient. Additionally, this list offers suggestions on alternative food sources that can be used as a substitute to the allergen.

If you have a chronic, undiagnosed health problem, this book may have an explanation for your complaints - namely that you are suffering from one or more food intolerance. If this is the case, the information in this book will help you identify the culprit, and eliminate it from your diet. Overall, this is an intriguing and informative book that is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the subject of food sensitivities and their treatments.

Reprinted, with Permission, from Large Print Reviews
www.largeprintreviews.com

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