Hi and welcome,
Did you know that up to 25% of the population may be experiencing symptoms that are triggered or worsened by having food intolerance ? (source Nutrition Australia).
Managing food intolerance has helped us with a number of symptoms and conditions like some of those shown below. This is what has inspired the creation of this site.
You are welcome to use this site but please read the disclaimer first.
Disclaimer
It is the responsibility of each individual to check suitability of recipes to ensure that no ingredients or combination of ingredients is likely to be inappropriate for their diet. It is also the responsibility of the user to check suitability of resources recommended and linked to. This tools does not replace advice given by your doctor or dietitian. We take no responsibility for your use of this site. We do not have medical or dietitian training.
Symptoms of food intolerance can be a few or many, severity can be from mild to more severe, and some can overlap with coeliac disease and food allergy, and also stress.
Source RPAH Allergy Unit
Friendly Food
Friendly Food is a recipe book and a complete guide to avoiding allergies, additives and problem chemicals. It is available to all members of the general public for $40 (plus postage) and can be purchased here from the Allergy Unit, or from most major bookstores and department stores throughout Australia.
(Murdoch Books® ISBN 978-1760524593)
The introduction from Friendly Food, explaining food allergies and intolerance, is reproduced below:
- Full text introduction
- Title page
PDF (145 KB) - Contents PDF (137 KB)
Introduction
Symptoms of stress can be very similar to those of food intolerance. Food intolerance can have both physical and emotional symptoms. Hyperventilation syndrome may also be a concern for some, and may even mimic symptoms of intolerances and food allergy!.
“A proactive and holistic approach is necessary for managing both physical and mental side effects of food intolerances and minimising stress in patients affected by these conditions.“1
https://www.berkeleyhealth.com/blogs/news/stress-food-intolerance-how-are-they-connected
A Holistic management approach can include using
Mind-body therapies such as mindfulness,2 making lifestyle changes that allow you to be your “your healthiest self” (NIH.gov); and other treatments as medically recommended.
*Note the tools linked to are generic enough to be adapted to most peoples situation and patient care priorities.
3;
- https://www.berkeleyhealth.com/blogs/news/stress-food-intolerance-how-are-they-connected ↩︎ ↩︎
- https://www.mastcellaction.org/mindfulness-and-mental-health ↩︎
- IFM.org https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/mast-cells-stress-mind-body-connection/ ↩︎
If you are one of the people with IBS who do not find significant benefit from treatments that may include dietary changes like a reduction in gut irritants or fodmaps you may find relief from following a food intolerance diet based on friendlier foods. Especially if also have some other related conditions like non celiac gluten sensitivity, asthma, CFS (or other).
Betterhealth.vic.gov:1 Food intolerance is a chemical reaction that some people have after eating or drinking some foods; it is not an immune response. Food intolerance has been associated with asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Migraine Australia 1: Migraine attacks can be triggered by your diet. Food-related triggers occur in about 10-20% of people with migraine.
The best way to identify food triggers is with an elimination diet. The RPAH Elimination Diet in particular is a science-based rigorous process for identifying food intolerances and developing a personalised diet for you. It is best done with the help of a dietician.
- https://www.migraine.org.au/diet
Early evidence indicates that people with anxiety and PTSD may benefit from eating a diet low in glutamate 1. Some people with PTSD experience non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)2. According the RPAH allergy unit there is often an association with NCGS and food intolerance (salicylates, amines and glutamate); and also concern with milk and soy 3
If you are experiencing anxiety and PTSD you may find resources from Phoenix Australia beneficial (https://www.phoenixaustralia.org). Some people may also benefit from DBT tools. These tools are best used under the supervision of a mental health professional.
- Brandley ET, Kirkland AE, Baron M, Baraniuk JN, Holton KF. The Effect of the Low Glutamate Diet on the Reduction of Psychiatric Symptoms in Veterans With Gulf War Illness: A Pilot Randomized-Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 20;13:926688. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.926688. PMID: 35795023; PMCID: PMC9251130.
- The Connection Between PTSD and Food https://militarywellness.org/the-connection-between-ptsd-and-food-4/
- https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/RPA/allergy/resources/foodintol/wheat-gluten-reaction.pdf
People with MCAS may report benefits from eating a food intolerance diet – one that is reduced in natural food chemicals salicylates, amines in glutamates. Others may find benefits from simply reducing foods high in histamine * (a type of amine) or fodmaps (used for management of irritable bowel). This can be easier !
Learn more about MCAS
Complex pain and fatigue conditions such asas Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM) are long lasting condition that require a multi dimensional approach like the one discussed at the complex chronic disease program here, and at painguide here.
Up to 30% of people with CFS and some people with fibromyalgia report benefits (often significant) from managing food intolerance at their level of concern. As worked out with the help of dietitian based on the RPAH Allergy Unit Elimination diet.
Other information on CFS and diet includes
Fact Sheet BDA.uk https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-diet.html
Dietary Modification in the Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A non-randomized Intervention Study – https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/research/students/2005/ElizabethParker.pdf.
Overall, there is a growing interest in the use of dietary modification in the management of ASD. Results indicate that food sensitivity to wide range of foods is a common finding in a subpopulation of children with ASD. Children with ASD that respond favourably to the GF/CF diet may further benefit from the removal of foods containing high levels of artificial and natural chemicals. In children who responded well to dietary exclusion, it remains unclear if food intolerance has a role in the cause of autism, or is just a symptom of the disorder. Further research is needed using larger numbers and investigating the effects of combining a GF/CF with low chemical diet.
Food intolerance Network
In a trial with 140 behaviourally disturbed children, of the 86 who improved on an elimination diet, double-blind placebo-controlled challenges showed approximately:
- 75% reacted to dietary salicylates
- 60-70% reacted to preservatives including benzoates, propionates, nitrates and sulphites 55% reacted to artificial colours and
- 40% reacted to MSG, synthetic antioxidants such as E320, natural glutamates and biogenic amines.
Although a smaller percentage reacted to dairy foods and gluten, subsequent guidelines recommended avoidance of these items for severe symptoms such as ASD.
Most children reacted to between 2 and 5 challenge compounds. As in the study below, perfumed products and other smelly chemicals were also avoided.
Here are resources for the 2020-21 Global Autism Summit presentation by Sue Dengate
22 min video presentation where Sue Dengate summarises latest research on food and autism for the Global Autism Summit – see references below
“Considering these are your most pressing medical and health issues: : Hypersensitivities (MCS, food intolerances, vasomotor rhinitis, Vocal cord dysfunction), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, migraine, chronic sinus issues, Depression/anxiety, Histamine Intolerance/MCAS, IBS, then these are some SNPs of note in your reports from Self decode” DR OL
Self Decode (affiliate))
*. AOC1 –DAO Deficiency – histamine/amine, LTC4S- Aspirin and salicylate sensitivity, other including predisposition to high glutamate which can contribute to fatigue and pain sensitivity and some other concerns)
- RPAH Allergy Unit Food intolerance Resources
- Ideal Nutrition food list based on the RPAH Allergy Unit Food Classifications
- Nutrition Australia https://nutritionaustralia.org/app/uploads/2022/03/Food-intolerances.pdf