Learn facts regarding food allergies

Having a food allergy is scary, but being misinformed about the facts of food allergies can lead to unnecessary anxiety and hyped fear. Like many other health issues, lines about the truth and facts of food allergies have been blurred, so it's vital to know the truth and stay healthy.

Here's a summary of the most common myths vs. facts:

Myth: Food allergies are not real.
Fact: Food Allergies are real and involve the bodys immune system. In food allergy, the immune system misinterprets a food as a harmful invader and releases histamine and other chemicals to protect the body from harm. Symptoms can include hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory distress.

Myth: Food allergies are not life threatening.
Fact: It is estimated that between 150-200 people die each year due to allergic reactions to food.

Myth: Food additives and artificial flavors cause the majority of food allergic reactions.
Fact: Contrary to common belief, natural foods account for the majority of allergic reactions. The foods that cause 90 percent of allergic reactions are: peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts (i.e. almonds, walnuts, pecans), fish, and shellfish.

Myth: Each allergic reaction to food becomes increasingly worse.
Fact: The severity of a reaction is based on a number of factors, including the amount of food ingested. A food-allergic individual may experience a mild or severe reaction. Next up: Get answers to the most frequent questions regarding food allergies. 

To learn more about how to manage food allergies, check out  The Family Food Allergy Book at www.basichealthpub.com or www.amazon.com