Hi @ndy,
The fundamental problem with allergies is that the body is perceiving something as a threat, when it is not actually the case. While it might seem counterintuitive for the body to have such a negative reaction to raw foods, trying to force the issue typically won't work.
The first thing to do is eliminate any and all foods that are triggering the reaction. Keep in mind also that there are two types of allergic reactions. The first kind sets in almost immediately. The second can take up to three days to develop- so sometimes it is not that straightforward to discern the culprit.
In my experience, there are a few things that are usually going on. The first is that you may have a compromised gut barrier. Increased gut permeability leads to food particles being absorbed into the bloodstream before they are fully digested.
The body is designed to initiate an attack on anything over a particular size. So even if you are eating the best food on god's green earth, if your gut barrier is compromised and some of these particles are getting in, your body
WILL react to it. Once you have been hypersensitized to a particular food, you
MUST remove it from the diet and let your immune system cool down while you work to correct the dysfunction. It is possible to reintroduce those foods later and be OK, but you need to give your immune system a break from the trigger foods. This can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.
You should also take a look into the levels of good bacteria in your gut, and evaluate for dysbiosis. Gut bacteria play a large role in the mediation of immune and hormone responses, and have been implicated in a wide array of conditions ranging from asthma to rheumatoid arthritis to depression and anxiety. The only way to really know would be to do a stool test such as is offered by Genova Diagnostics or Metametrix Labs. However, if you have a history of high-dose or repeated antibiotic use, and/or antacid use it is extremely likely that your gut bacteria are out of whack.
There is also emerging evidence that fruit sugar (fructose) is not that great for certain gut types. I see a fair amount of people who started experiencing strange symptoms after they made a change in their diet to include high levels of fruit, but never put it together because in their mind, how can fruit be bad? The research is showing that making positive dietary changes is a LOT more complicated than simply eating more fruits and vegetables. I, myself, enjoy fruits but if I eat more than a couple servings a day it will throw my digestion out of whack.
I am curious to know which foods specifically are causing these symptoms?
As for supplements, taking probiotics can help, but in my clinical experience it is much preferred to get a more detailed read on what is exactly going on. Different probiotic formulations will have different effects, and if there is overgrowth of bacteria or fungi in the gut, then they need to be cleared out first before the probiotics will take.
The next thing is to consider your digestive function. The body produces various enzymes that are needed to break down foods. Different enzymes come from different organs (stomach, liver, pancreas) and each have different functions whether it is to break down protein, fats, or carbs. It might be necessary to replace your digestive enzymes with a supplement, at least for a little while. Digestive enzyme insufficiency is often the underlying cause that can lead to both gut barrier dysfunction and dysbiosis.
Occasionally, some raw foodists will swear up and down that the foods themselves contain all the enzymes necessary to digest them, and tend to get all worked up in a tizzy when somebody says otherwise. The fact of the matter is they don't really know what they are talking about. They will make all sorts of technical-sounding arguments that somewhat overlook basic human physiology, and typically refer to an 80 year old study on leukocytosis. These claims are part true and part mumbo-jumbo.
In my experience, if you push a
fundamentalist-type raw foodist on their logic you will find that underlying a seemingly scientific facade is lurking some sort of quasi-religious fervor and a mindset that refuses to acknowledge shades of gray. A true scientist would calmly explain the facts to you, and not become offended if you questioned said facts and/or produced counterevidence. Try to keep in mind that raving testimonials are nice, but have no bearing in a scientific discussion. Also the fact that one or two dudes happen to have built abs of steel on a raw food diet does NOT mean that it is right for everybody.
In my opinion, the most reliable sources of information on a raw food diet come from those who have BOTH had a personal experience with it AND who demonstrate a firm understanding of human physiology, as well as can back up their claims with some kind of scientific evidence.
Think about it... if all foods naturally contained the enzymes needed for the human body to digest them... then WHY would the body invest so much energy in producing enzymes of its own? ALSO, since all enzymes are proteins,
if you are not getting enough protein in your diet your body will have no way to produce enzymes of its own. If you are getting enough protein, but your body is having a hard time breaking it down, you will similarly be in trouble. An active body requires 1.0 - 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram body weight daily. Don't overlook the DAILY. Since the body really doesn't have any way to store protein, you can't just load up on protein on Monday and expect it to still be working for you on Wednesday. You need to get the protein every day for proper function.
Good vegetable sources of protein include nuts, seeds, and legumes. Even still it is hard to meet one's needs with these foods alone. ESPECIALLY if one is overweight as increased body mass results in increased protein needs. Fruits have little to no protein. (So much for eating 100% STO
) Leafy veggies do have some protein, but keep in mind that if you are committed to getting all of your protein from greens as an elephant or a horse would, you will need to consume upwards of
30 - 40 cups a day.
OH another thing to look at is to make sure you are getting enough fat in your diet. Particularly omega-3 fats. The body's natural anti-inflammatory agents are produced from these. Best plant sources are walnuts and flaxseed. However, plant-based omega-3s require an extra conversion step and some bodies do this better than others due to genetic differences.
This is part of the reason why I don't believe vegetarianism is right for everybody. *ducks for cover*
Let's see what else? Oh zinc is another important factor for proper immune function. Pumpkin seeds are the best vegetable source. Mushrooms are pretty good. Or if you are so inclined, slurp down a few oysters on the half shell. I like mine with hot sauce... YUM!
Last, but not least, you may want to check your vitamin D levels. Make sure you are getting about 20 - 30 minutes of sunlight directly on your skin (NO SUNBLOCK) at least 3 times a week. If you live in an area where the sun goes hiding for any length of time, it is wise to have a vitamin D supplement on hand.
Nature for the most part does a pretty good job of taking care of us, but putting undue "faith" in it can be just as unwise as putting it in a cult leader. If you are following a particular dietary program and you still have these kinds of physical symptoms, that should be a sign that either your chosen dietary path is not actually the best for you, or that you have some more complicated health issues going on that probably require professional attention. A true "detox" symptom should pass within a few days, or a couple of weeks at most. If symptoms persist past this period, there is something else going on.
