The Link Between Mental Illness and Food Allergies

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When most of us think about allergies, we think of symptoms such as stuffy noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, congested sinuses and hives. Of course these are all immediate physical reactions. Some reactions take days to show and some don’t affect the respiratory system, digestive tract or skin. Have you ever considered that food or chemical allergies can create emotional, behavioural and mental symptoms such as panic attacks, compulsive behaviour, depression, psychotic episodes, or hallucinations?

Last week I focussed on the link between depression and vitamin or mineral deficiencies, so it makes perfect sense to take a look at the flip side of the coin: possible ‘brain allergies’ caused by the consumption of certain foods or chemicals. Such brain allergies can contribute to mental and emotional symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate, or feelings of being in a mental fog. The good news is that you can eliminate such troubling symptoms simply by removing the allergens from your diet or environment. 

Brain Allergy

The abnormal reactions present in ‘brain allergy’ have been documented in medical literature since the 1950s. Since then the close connection between mental and physical health has been clinically studied. As clinical evidence begins to make the case clearer and clearer, awareness and acceptance of brain allergies among orthodox doctors and psychiatrists has continued to grow - very slowly, I may add.

In his book ‘Dealing with Depression Naturally’, Syd Baumel describes the debate as follows: ‘...the narrow, orthodox definition of allergy is that it is an immunologic reaction, almost always triggered by a protein and confined to the superficial tissues of the body (the skin, the respiratory system, or the digestive tract). Clinical ecologists, however, maintain that any food, chemical or material is capable of triggering an adverse reaction in any organ of the body, with or without the help of the immune system.’

Today, the discoveries of clinical ecologists are beginning to shape change in the attitudes of mainstream allergists as they raise awareness of brain allergies. These experts have been very successful in treating all kinds of mental and emotional illness by helping their patients identify, avoid and manage allergic reactions.

Overeating, food addiction and food allergies

Studies have shown that the foods we crave most are often the foods we are most likely to be allergic to. Strangely enough, eating a food to which we are allergic can temporarily mask or inhibit our allergic response, offering short term relief from our symptoms. But if we avoid an allergen for several days, our sensitivity to the allergen is increased and the full extent of our reaction can be observed.

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Mental and emotional symptoms caused by allergenic foods can be experienced immediately or they may be delayed. These symptoms can last for up to four days after the food is eliminated from the diet. Fatigue, intensified cravings, and an increase in other related allergic symptoms may also be experienced during this time. Surprisingly, if the allergenic food is eaten again during this ‘clearing out’ period, symptoms will lessen and the craving-fulfilment-illness cycle may begin again. In some instances, eating an allergen can trigger a binge and an urge to overeat.

According to clinical ecologists, addictive allergies to wheat, milk, chocolate, and other commonly eaten foods account for most brain allergies. Interestingly, the proteins in some of these foods contain heroin-like peptides which perhaps explain how they can create such severe cravings in susceptible individuals.

In addition to food allergies, many patients suffering symptoms of mental illness test positive for reactions to food additives and preservatives.

Getting treatment

Of course not all mental illness relates to diet. But mental illnesses could be complicated by allergies or biochemical imbalances, and that aspect of an individual's illness will only respond to a holistic or ecological approach. Drugs are the last thing that these individuals require; yet that is usually their fate.

To find practitioners familiar with the complex issues of diagnosis and treatment of allergy, your best option is to look for an orthomolecular doctor, clinical ecologist or medical doctor/naturopathic doctor, who has a special interest in environmental medicine and allergy related illness.

One of the best testing methods accepted by conventional allergists and ecological/orthomolecular practitioners is a carefully managed elimination diet. The person following such a diet avoids suspected allergens, and then makes carefully observed reintroductions of each potentially problematic food. If you suspect that you may be experiencing brain allergies, you can structure an elimination diet for yourself at home. Another useful method of observing your reactions to specific foods is to keep a diet diary, recording everything you eat and monitoring your sense of well-being between mealtimes.

I also recommend the book ‘Super Foods for a Super Healthy You’, by Rachael Linkie. In my opinion this book is definitive and unique, packed with informative and authoritative information about dozens of food that can seriously improve your health. If you are planning to change your eating habits this book will be an excellent source and guide. To read more about ‘Super Foods’ click here.

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Sources:

‘Brain drain’ by Dr. Mumby, published online, wddty.com

‘Food Allergy and the Brain’ by Alpha Nutrition, published online, 66.51.173.96/brain/allergy_brain.htm

‘Mental Illness or Allergy?’ by Tarilee Cornish, Nutritional Consultant, published online, wholeapproach.com

‘Tasting Metal?’ by Dr. Weil published online, drweil.com