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Tag: Arthritis

Gluten Hypersensitivity

Gluten Hypersensitivity

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Gluten is a protein found in cereal grains. Wheat has a high concentration of gluten, which allows for the elastic nature of the dough. If you have a hypersensitivity to wheat gluten/gliadin, you should also avoid rye, spelt, and kamut, as the proteins in these grains look similar to wheat gluten in the eyes of the immune system.

Most people are unaware that wheat has many proteins other than gluten/gliadin. The protein gliadin found on wheat gluten is what causes the immune system to overreact in some people. However, there are instances when test results show normal immune response to wheat gluten/gliadin, but an over-reactivity to wheat protein in general. In this case, wheat would still need to be removed from the diet.

There are two types of hypersensitivities to food:

Type 1 food hypersensitivity is characterized by an allergic reaction immediately following contact with the offending food. The antibody associated with Type 1 hypersensitivity is the immunoglobulin IgE. This hypersensitivity may cause anaphylaxis and death if untreated.

Type 3 food hypersensitivity is mediated by the antibody IgG4. Type 3 hypersensitivity is the most common type of food hypersensitivity. After exposure to the food allergen, the reaction may not occur for one to five days. Therefore, this delay of immunoreactivity makes it difficult to diagnosis this type of food hypersensitivity.

An accurate and reliable test for food hypersensitivities is IgE/IgG4 Blood Allergy Test. The IgE/IgG4 Blood Allergy Test checks for both Type 1 and Type 3 food hypersensitivities.

The Type 3 food hypersensitivity may cause many types of inflammatory, immunological and/or neurological symptoms such as nephritis/ kidney; arthritis/osteo and rheumatoid; dermatitis/eczema, psoriasis, hives and rosacea; sinusitis; gastritis; colitis (celiac, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel); and  respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis. Food hypersensitivities may be involved in cognitive, emotional, neurological symptoms such as depression, headaches, migraines, anxiety, irritability, and poor concentration.

The gastrointestinal tract has a high concentration of immune and nervous system tissue. Any food or microorganism that the immune system deems unacceptable leads to an inflammatory response which may affect different areas of the body.

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Urine Thyroid Testing

Thyroid hormones help regulate heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure and weight. Stand tests may underestimate the incidence of thyroid disease. A 24-hour urine collection can be used to help determine if symptoms are thyroid related. Symptoms related to lack of thyroid hormone are depression, fatigue, cold body temperature, arthritis, and muscle cramps, headaches, weight gain and poor reflexes.

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Omega-3 Fish Oil Supports Heart, Pain, and Autoimmune Inflammation

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supports Heart, Pain, and Autoimmune Inflammation

Omega-3 fish oil treats the following:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Chronic Pain
  • Arthritis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Eczema
At Hunt Naturopathic Clinic we provide the care associated with the treatment of the above conditions which includes correct diagnostic assessment and treatment.

Heart Health
Studies have shown that a diet supplemented with omega-3 fish oil helps lower high blood pressure. In addition, omega-3 has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels by a net of about 50% compared with placebo [1]. And furthermore, patients who combined omega-3 fish oil with cholesterol lowering medication reported a net 23% decrease in their triglyceride levels [2].

Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can severely limit your mobility and lifestyle. Omega-3 fish oil has been shown to alleviate problems such as nonspecific neck and back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with dysmenorrhea (painful periods), ankylosing spondylitis, and more [3].

Arthritis
Currently, Health Canada recommendations state that fish oil supplements reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis in adults when combined with traditional therapies [4]. Studies also suggest that supplementing with omega-3 for over 3 months can result in a notable reduction in the amount of arthritis medication that patients required [5].

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Patients who suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s have taken part in trials using fish oil as part of their treatment. Results from these trails show not only a benefit from supplementation [6], but also that omega-3 may reduce steroid doses needed during treatment [7].

Eczema
Supplementing with omega-3 fish oil has the potential to result in improvements in the clinical features of eczema, such as scaling and itching [8]. Studies also confirm that taking fish oil during pregnancy may reduce the risk of the child developing eczema during their first year of life [9]

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