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FOOD INTOLERANCE

Sulphites (220-228)

 

220 Sulphur dioxide

 

221 Sodium sulphite

 

222 Sodium bisulphite

 

223 Sodium metabisulphite

 

224 Potassium metabisulphite

 

225 Potassium sulphite

 

228 Potassium bisulphite

 

Sulphites are some of the oldest and most widespread preservatives in our food supply. They were used in Greek and Roman times in wine, but it was only in the 1880s that their use in as preservatives in meats was pioneered by Australian and South American beef producers wanting to ship their products to England.

The use of sulphites in fruit and vegetables became common with the growth of the processed food industry in the twentieth century.

 

Sulphites destroy thiamine (Vitamin B1) so some experts recommend that foods which are a significant source of thiamine, such as meats, dairy foods and cereals should not be sulphited. In Australia, a number of pet cats and dogs have died from thiamine deficiency due to a steady diet of pet meat containing unlisted sulphites.

Since sulphites cleave the thiamine molecule, thiamine in vitamin supplements can also be destroyed by sulphites.

For this reason, in the USA there has been a total prohibition on the use of sulphites in meats since 1959, although sulphited meats such as sausages are still widely eaten in other English and Spanish speaking countries. Sulphites are also thought to destroy folic acid.

 

Sulphites have been associated with the full range of food intolerance symptoms including headaches, irritable bowel symptoms, behaviour disturbance and skin rashes but are best known for their effects on asthmatics since the well publicised 'salad bar' deaths of the 1970s and 80s when there were hundreds of reports of severe reactions and at least 12 asthmatics died from eating salads that had been sprayed with sulphites in restaurants.

This use was banned in the USA in 1986, but a move by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1990 to prohibit the use of sulphites on frozen french fries was defeated on procedural grounds in a court battle with the potato industry.

 

At first sulphites were thought to affect only a small percentage of the population but in 1984, Australian researchers found that more than 65% of asthmatic children were sensitive to sulphites, and in 1999 the conservative World Health Organisation (WHO) revised upward their estimate of the number of sulphite-sensitive asthmatic children, from 4% to 20-30%.

 

On the recommendation of the WHO, food regulators have been working slowly to reduce the use of large amounts of sulphite preservatives in our foods.

However, for children this reduction can be offset by increasing promotion of dried fruit as a healthy snack under new canteen guidelines prompted by the obesity epidemic.

Since any dose of sulphites can be too much for asthmatics, individuals must learn how to avoid sulphites for themselves.

 

How to avoid sulphites. . .

 

Factsulphites

 

Vitamin B1 Deficiency Key To Vascular Problems For Diabetic Patients, Study Suggests

 

Science Daily — Researchers at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, have discovered that deficiency of thiamine – Vitamin B 1 - may be key to a range of vascular problems for people with diabetes. They have also solved the mystery as to why thiamine deficiency in diabetes had remained hidden until now.

 

BBC Health has reported on preliminary research which suggests that deficiency of vitamin B1 may help explain the increased risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications in individuals with diabetes. A research team at Warwick University measured plasma levels of thiamine in 94 people with diabetes and found that concentrations were 76% lower in those with type 1 diabetes and 75% lower in those with type 2 diabetes. According to the report, trials are now underway to investigate the effects of thiamine supplementation in this population.

http://www.nelm.nhs.uk/Record%20Viewing/viewRecord.aspx?id=584058

Full list of symptoms here:

MedlinePlus Herbs and Supplements: Thiamin (thiamine), vitamin B1

Interactions with Drugs:

Reduced levels of thiamin in blood and cerebrospinal fluid have been reported in individuals taking phenytoin (Dilantin®) for extended periods of time.

 

Antacids may lower thiamin levels in the body by decreasing absorption and increasing excretion or metabolism.

 

Barbiturates may lower thiamin levels in the body by decreasing absorption and increasing excretion or metabolism.

 

Loop diuretics, particularly furosemide (Lasix®), have been associated with decreased thiamin levels in the body by increasing urinary excretion (and possibly by decreasing absorption and increasing metabolism). Examples of other loop diuretics include bumetanide (Bumex®), ethacrynic acid (Edecrine®), and torsemide (Demadex®). Theoretically, this effect may also occur with other types of diuretics, including thiazide diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril®), chlorthalidone (Hygroton®, Thalidone®), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Esidrix®, HydroDIURIL®, Ortec®, Microzide®), indapamide (Lozol®), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn®); or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor®), spironolactone (Aldactone®), and triamterene (Dyrenium®). Effects may be most pronounced with larger doses taken over extended periods of time.

 

Tobacco use decreases thiamin absorption and may lead to decreased levels in the body.

 

Effects of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) may be enhanced with concomitant (simultaneous) use of thiamin.

 

Some antibiotics destroy gastrointestinal flora (normal bacteria in the gut), which manufacture some B vitamins. In theory, this may decrease the amount of thiamin available to humans, although the majority of thiamin is obtained through the diet (not via bacterial production).

 

Oral contraceptives (birth control pills/OCPS) may decrease levels of some B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc in the body.

 

People receiving fluorouracil-containing chemotherapy regimens may be at risk for developing symptoms and signs of thiamin deficiency.

 

In theory, metformin may reduce thiamine activity, and based on animal research, taking thiamin and metformin together may contribute to the risk of lactic acidosis.

. . .

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements:

Consumption of betel nuts ( Areca catechu L.) may reduce thiamine activity due to chemical inactivation, and may lead to symptoms and signs of thiamin deficiency.

 

Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense L.) contains a thiaminase-like compound that can destroy thiamine in the stomach, and theoretically causes symptomatic thiamine deficiency. Horsetail products are available without this property, and for example, the Canadian government requires that horsetail products be certified free of thiaminase activity.

 

In theory, diuretic herbs may decrease thiamin levels in the body by increasing urinary excretion.

"It takes some doing, but you can take steps to minimize your contact with sulfites if you are diagnosed with asthma or sulfite sensitivity … But you may not even know you have a problem with sulfites until a reaction occurs. Undiagnosed people are at risk because even if they know that sulfites can cause adverse reactions, they often don't associate sulfites with their own health problems." – FDA consumer safety officer Dr JoAnn Ziyad,

Sulfites: Safe for Most, Dangerous for Some

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MMMmmm

Didn't realise I had already started a thread on this

Breastfeeding may pass on allergies

 

Posted by on 09/30/07 in Eczmea

 

News.com.au - The research, led by Dr Melanie Matheson from the university’s School of Population Health, found exclusive breastfeeding of babies with a family history of allergies increased the babies’ risk of developing asthma, eczema or food allergies in the …

 

Read more, click Live Search News: eczema

Breastfeeding may pass on allergies : Cure Eczema

 

Food Allergy Hospitalizations Rise 400 Percent

http://www.mercola.com/2006/sep/14/food_allergy_hospitalizations_rise_400_percent.htm

 

 

Food AllergiesAn analysis of the rates of illness and death for allergic disorders other than asthma suggests that systemic allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction in several areas of the body) and food allergies, have soared in recent years.

 

The analysis looked at data from national surveys, consultations with primary care health practitioners, prescriptions, hospital admissions, and deaths.

 

600 Percent

 

Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have risen by 600 percent, and those for food allergies have risen by 400 percent. Prescriptions for all types of allergy have also increased over the past 15 years.

 

Unknown Cause

 

The cause of the increase is not known, although it could be attributable to changes in the sources of allergic disease.

"Babies have been breastfed since the beginning of human existence, but the development of allergies and asthma have been relatively recent, which suggests more environmental factors.

Breastfeeding may pass on allergies | Herald Sun
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