A food allergy is having either an immediate (i.e. anaphylaxis, hives) or delayed reaction (i.e. rhinitis, eczema) to an ingested food. You often hear allergy and sensitivity interchanged, but the difference is that a food allergy will elicit an immune response whereas a food sensitivity does not produce an immune related reaction.

80-90% of allergens occur after repetitive eating of the same food while others are fixed allergens, which means the person would elicit a response to the food no matter the situation (i.e. anaphylactic reaction to peanuts). oThe reaction may involve a protein, carbohydrate, food component or unnatural food additive (i.e. coloring, preservative). oA combination of genetics, immune system status and the health of the digestive tract influence the development of a sensitivity or allergen. Most people who are sensitive to food are unaware because the reaction may be subtle and last for days thus being difficult for people to correlate their symptoms to food.

Food intolerances/allergies can have a significant effect on your health and are implicated in a variety of diseases. Symptoms that may be due to food intolerance/allergy include:

General - fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, food cravings, obesity
Infections - recurrent colds, urinary tract infections, sore throats, ear infections, yeast infections
Ear, Nose and Throat - chronic nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, fluid in the ears, Meniere's Syndrome
Gastrointestinal - irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gallbladder disease, indigestion
Cardiovascular - high blood pressure, arrhythmia, angina
Dermatological - acne, eczema, psoriasis, canker sores, hives
Rheumatological - muscle aches, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
Neurolgical - migraines, headaches, numbness

Common food intolerances/allergens are: milk and dairy products, wheat, gluten, citrus fruits, corn, bananas, eggs, nuts (especially peanuts), soy and the nightshade family of vegetables (tomatoes, green peppers, eggplant and potatoes).

Once a sensitivity is determined the food can then be eaten on a rotation basis. This means the intolerant food/s are only eaten once every 4 days in order to minimize the potential sensitive stimulus. However, if some food/s elicit a severe reaction or are contraindicated in certain conditions it is best to avoid those food/s as much as possible.

Although avoidance of food intolerances/allergens can make for a challenging diet plan and juggling of common foods, it can also be the start of a new and varied way of eating. The health benefits are well worth the effort.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a primary health care profession that uses natural methods and substances to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. As a Naturopathic Physician, my purpose is to prevent disease, promote health, and restore/maintain optimal health and well being. The physical, mental, emotional and environmental aspects of each client will be taken into account to individualize treatment.

Who consults a Naturopath?

People experiencing acute and chronic conditions as well as those wanting optimum personal health and disease prevention can benefit from naturopathic treatment. Naturopathic physicians co-operate with all other health care practitioners and are trained to recognize conditions which require conventional medical treatment.

How does a Naturopathic Doctor differ from a Medical Doctor?

Naturopathic medicine differs from regular conventional medicine, in that Naturopathic Physicians in Canada do not prescribe drugs but rather use natural therapies to support the body’s own natural healing process. Like medical doctors, we are primary health care practitioners, which means that you come to our office with particular symptoms and we will determine a diagnosis, based on clinical and laboratory findings. We work with medical doctors for the health of the patient. Naturopathic medicine considers the whole person including physical, mental and emotional aspects. We choose which therapies to use on a client based on the case and the uniqueness of the individual. Our treatments include clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, oriental medicine, acupuncture, naturopathic manipulation, hydrotherapy, lifestyle counseling and prevention.

What to expect from a visit with a Naturopath?

An initial visit is 90 minutes and consists of a thorough personal history and physical examination. A personal plan specific for your health needs will be determined to help facilitate your healing process.

Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by MSI?

Naturopathic medical fees are not covered by MSI. However, many private health care insurances and group policies cover Naturopathic care. Please check with your health care provider to determine your level of coverage.