Dealing With Wheat Allergies

Wheat allergies are among the eight most common food allergies. However, when considered together with all kinds of allergies, it is not that common. Wheat allergies are a major cause of severe allergy symptoms, including asthma and anaphylaxis. Celiac disease is getting a lot of press these days. It's an autoimmune disorder which prevents the body from digesting certain proteins found in wheat. Wheat allergies are usually a reaction to the gluten found in the wheat berry.

Wheat

Wheat is a staple grain in many Western countries and is present in a wide variety of foods. Wheat-dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) is now believed to be induced by ingested gluten that finds a way into the bloodstream. The condition is characterized by an intolerance of proteins found in wheat that is used in many different food products. The symptoms can range from arthritis to sinusitis. It is often hard to diagnose because people eat wheat products all the time. Wheat is the staple of majority of American diets. Allergic reactions often cause many painful side effects for the sufferer.

You should see your doctor immediately if you think you are suffering from wheat allergies. A doctor can do several tests to help you determine if your symptoms are indeed an indication this allergy.

If you are allergic to wheat you will have to avoid all wheat products. But do not get too depressed. Non-gluten wheat flour can be used to make delicious food like pizza, bread and pasta. Some restaurants now serve gluten-free dishes so you can enjoy the food you are used to eating.

The Good Side Of Not Eating Wheat

Your wheat allergy may not be such a bad thing after all. There is mounting evidence that people around the eat too much wheat-based food and that this is the reason for the increase in chronic disease. Over consumption of wheat has even been linked to arthritis and heart disease. Who would have thought this? The basic premise goes like this. High intake of wheat leads to higher insulin levels in the body. Low levels of insulin are necessary to break down sugar in the blood stream. However, high levels of insulin in th body is apparently toxic. The more wheat and sugar you eat, the more your insulin levels will reach toxic levels and cause diseases.

Having wheat allergies will force you to reduce the amount of insulin that your body produces and as a result reduce the likelihood of suffering from chronic disease. Also, if you have a weight problem, reducing the amount of wheat products you eat will likely result in significant weight loss. So, this could be a blessing in disguise for many. In fact, my father's health greatly improved when he stopped in wheat. He didn't know that it was wheat all along that was making him unhealthy.

There are also many books you can read to help you understand your wheat allergy. A simple search at an online bookstore will produce several titles. Also, sign up for my newsletter to receive trips to stay healthy.