6 Food Allergies Treatments and

Natural Remedies
By Christine Ruggeri, CHHC
January 4, 2017
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Despite the risk of severe allergic reactions and even death, there is no current cure for food
allergies. The condition can only be managed by allergen avoidance or treatment of food
allergy symptoms.

However, fortunately there are natural food allergies treatments and supplements that can
help to boost the immune system and enhance the gut microbiota, helping to reduce the
development of food allergies and food allergy symptoms. (1)

Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance: What Is the Difference?

It is estimated that about a quarter of the population will have an adverse reaction to food (of
which food allergy is just one type) during their lifetime, especially during infancy and early
childhood. (2)

Food allergies consist of an immune system response to a disagreeable food. The body

senses that a protein in a particular food may be harmful and triggers an immune system
response, producing histamine to protect itself. Histamine causes allergy symptoms such as
hives, coughing and wheezing. The body then “remembers” this immunologic reaction —
and when the allergen food enters the body again, the histamine response is more easily
triggered. The best characterized form of food allergy is mediated by food-specific IgE
antibodies.

The diagnosis of food allergies may be problematic because nonallergic food reactions, such
as food intolerances, are frequently confused with food allergy symptoms. Food allergies and
intolerances are often linked, but there’s a clear difference between the two conditions.

A food intolerance is the body’s digestive system’s response to a disagreeable food. Unlike a
food allergy, which produces an immunological mechanism after consuming an allergen, a
food intolerance produces a non-immunological reaction. For example, a person may have
digestive issues after drinking cow’s milk because she is unable to digest the sugar lactose —
this would be called a food intolerance. If she had an immunologic response to the cow’s
milk, that would be characterized as a food allergy. (3)

There are several types of food intolerances, with the most common being gluten, A1 casein
and lactose. Other examples of food intolerances include food additives like coloring,
flavoring and preservatives; plus, sulfites that are used in dried fruits, canned goods and wine
can trigger an inflammatory reaction.

What Is an Allergic Reaction?

Food allergy symptoms typically appear within a few minutes to two hours after consumption
of the allergen. Allergic reactions can include:

 hives
  flushed skin or rash
 tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
 swelling of the tongue, lip, throat or face
 vomiting
 diarrhea
 abdominal cramps
 coughing or wheezing
 dizziness or lightheadedness
 difficulty breathing
 loss of consciousness

People with a known allergy who begin experiencing symptoms while, or after, eating a food
should initiate food allergy treatment immediately, and if symptoms progress, they should go
to a nearby emergency room.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening form of IgE-mediated food allergy

that requires prescription of self-injectable adrenaline. This can lead to constricted airways in
the lungs, severe lowering of blood pressure and shock (called anaphylactic shock), and
suffocation by swelling of the throat. (4)

When you struggle with an ongoing, unidentified food allergy or sensitivity, your body
constantly sends out inflammatory responses that can cause harm in multiple ways. Food
sensitivities and allergies are correlated with an increased chance for developing:

 chronic pain
 arthritis
 asthma
 nutrient deficiencies
 mood disorders
 skin conditions
 autoimmune disorders
 cognitive disorders
 learning disabilities
 insomnia
 weight gain
 migraines
 kidney and gallbladder problems

6 Food Allergies Treatments & Natural Remedies

Because food allergies can be severe, plus contribute to other health problems, I strongly
encourage you or your loved ones to pursue these natural food allergies treatments.

 1. Avoid All of These Foods

The following foods increase inflammation within the body, weaken the immune system
and lead to digestive issues.

Packaged foods — Packaged, ultra-processed foods may contain GMO’s like corn, soy,

canola and vegetable oils that cause food allergies and intolerances. They can also contain
hidden ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction; that’s why it’s important that people
with allergies are taught how to read labels carefully and avoid offending foods.

Sugar — Sugar can cause bad bacterial overgrowth, weaken the immune system and increase
food intolerances. Because sugar consumption leads to inflammation, it can exacerbate food
allergy symptoms and restrict your body’s ability to tolerate foods normally. (5)

Artificial flavorings — Artificial flavorings can exacerbate food allergies. Experts are
convinced that dyes used in packaged foods can cause adverse health impacts in children and
possibly adults. There is evidence that cochineal extract (which comes from the scale of
insects and is used to dye food red) may cause allergic reactions and asthma.

In fact, Starbucks used to use cochineal extract to dye their strawberry Frappuccino drinks
until they transitioned to a pigment found in tomatoes. (6) Food labels do not have to include
a flavoring’s chemical name or a complete listing of all flavors present, which is why you
sometimes see simply “color added” or “artificial color” on the label.

Gluten — A significant percentage of the general population report problems caused by

wheat and/or gluten ingestion, even though they do not have celiac disease or wheat allergy.
Research shows that most patients report both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal
symptoms, which improve when they are on a gluten-free diet. (7)

Studies show that gluten is blamed as a trigger of symptoms by 20 to 45 percent of adults

who self-report food hypersensitivity. Symptoms associated with a gluten intolerance may
lead you to believe that you are allergic to other foods when you really aren’t, which is why I
recommend that you avoid eating foods containing gluten. (8)

2. Sidestep These Allergen Triggers

Although any food can provoke a reaction, relatively few foods are responsible for a vast
majority of significant food-induced allergic reactions. If you truly want to take advantage
of food allergies treatments, please know that over 90 percent of food allergies are caused by
the following foods:

Cow’s milk — Allergic reactions to cow’s milk are common in infancy and childhood, with
a prevalence of 2 to 7.5 percent. Persistence of a cow’s milk food allergy in adulthood is
uncommon; however, it is common for adults to experience non-immunologic reactions
(which would be a food intolerance) to cow’s milk and dairy. (9)

Eggs — A recent meta-analysis of the prevalence of food allergy estimated that egg allergy
affects 0.5 to 2.5 percent of young children. A protein in egg whites, called ovomucoid, has
been shown to be the dominant allergen in eggs. (10)
Wheat — Wheat allergy represents a type of adverse immunologic reaction to proteins
contained in wheat and related grains. A food allergy to wheat is more common in children
and can be associated with a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis. (11)

Soy — Soy allergy affects approximately 0.4 percent of children, and 50 percent of children

will outgrow their allergy by 7 years old. (12)

Peanuts — Peanut allergy affects approximately 1 percent of children and 0.6 percent of

adults in the U.S. In highly sensitized people, just trace quantities of peanuts can induce an
allergic reaction. (13)

Tree nuts — Tree nut allergy affects about 1 percent of the general population. Nuts that are
most commonly responsible for allergic reactions include hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and
almonds. Those that are less frequently associated with allergies include pecans,
chestnuts, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, pistachio, coconut, Nangai nuts and
acorns. (14)

Shellfish — The prevalence of shellfish allergy is 0,5 to 5 percent. Shellfish allergies include
the groups of crustaceans (such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill, woodlice and
barnacles) and molluscs (such as squid, octopus and cuttlefish). Shellfish allergy is known to
be common and persistent in adults. (15)

Fish — Prevalence rates of finned fish allergy range from 0.2 to 2.29 percent in the general
population, but they can reach up to 8 percent among fish processing workers. Fish allergies
often develop later in life and because of cross-reactivity among various species of fish,
people with fish allergies should avoid all fish species until a species can be proven safe to
eat. (16)

 
 

3. Eat These Foods: The Non-Allergenic Food List 

When considering food allergies treatments, be aware that these food allergy

alternatives are the least likely to cause an allergic reaction and will help to boost your
immune system, helping you to get rid of food allergies:

Green leafy vegetables — Leafy greens (including spinach, kale, collard greens, romaine,

arugula and watercress) are exceptionally rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and
enzymes. Adding leafy greens to your diet will help to boost your immune system and aid
detoxification. Research shows that eating five or more portions of fruits and vegetables daily
significantly increase antibody response, which can help to relieve allergy symptoms. (17)

Probiotic-rich foods — Probiotic foods support immune health and can help to repair a

damaged intestinal lining. Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, natto, yogurt, raw
cheese, miso and kombucha will help to boost your immune system and may reduce your
body’s oversensitivity to food triggers that lead to allergy symptoms.

Bone broth — Bone broth made from beef and chicken stock support the healing of leaky
gut, as it replenishes the intestines with necessary amino acids and minerals necessary for
repair. Bone broth is one of the most beneficial foods to consume to restore gut health and,
therefore, support immune system function and healthy inflammatory response.

Coconut milk — The best alternative for cow’s milk is coconut milk, a liquid naturally
found inside of mature coconuts, stored within coconut “meat.” Coconut milk is completely
free from dairy, lactose, soy, nuts and grains, so it’s a great option for anyone with dairy, soy
or nut allergies, along with lactose intolerance.

Almond butter — For people allergic to peanuts and peanut butter, almond butter is a safe
and healthy alternative. Almond butter is simply ground almonds, and there are many vital
health benefits of almonds nutrition. Almonds are low in saturated fatty acids, rich in
unsaturated fatty acids, and contain filling fiber, unique and protective phytosterol
antioxidants, vitamins like riboflavin and trace minerals, such as magnesium. (18)

Seeds — Flaxseeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds make for a great snack
and healthy addition to salads, smoothie bowls and oats. Seeds are high in omega-3 fatty
acids, just like nuts, but they are not common allergens. Flaxseed nutrition, for example,
includes omega-3s, fiber, protein, vitamin B1, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and
selenium.

Gluten-free flours/grains — Nutrient-dense wheat-free and gluten-free flours include

coconut flour, almond flour, spelt flour, oat flour and rice flour. By sticking to flours and
grains that don’t include wheat or gluten, you are reducing your chances of experiencing
allergy symptoms. Plus, you are getting plenty of fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals
from alternatives like coconut and almond flour.

Breast milk — Studies shows that exclusive breastfeeding seems to have a preventive effect
on the early development of asthma and atopic dermatitis up to two years of age. Research
published in Pediatrics Clinics of North America shows that breast milk complements a
baby’s immune system, supplementing undeveloped defenses with immune factors while
creating the foundation for the innate and adaptive immune systems. (19)

4. Try an Elimination Diet

Trying an elimination diet can help you to get rid of food allergies by pinpointing exactly
which foods are the culprits for digestive and allergy symptoms. An elimination diet is a
short-term eating plan that eliminates certain foods that may be causing allergies and other
digestive reactions, and then reintroduces the foods one at a time in order to determine which
foods are, and are not, well-tolerated. Because the only true food allergy treatment is to
eliminate the allergen from your diet completely, an elimination diet will help you to
understand exactly what foods needs to be avoided.

Elimination diets range in terms of what exact foods are permitted and eliminated, but most
will cut out all common allergens, including:

 gluten
 dairy
 soy
 refined/added sugar
 peanuts
 corn
 alcohol
 caffeine
 hydrogenated oils
 citrus fruits
 eggs
 all packaged, processed or fast foods

Elimination diets last for 3–6 weeks because antibodies, the proteins that your immune
system makes when it negatively reacts to food, take around three weeks to dissipate.
Eliminating these common allergens for at least three weeks gives your body time to heal
from sensitivities.

For food allergies treatments, the elimination diet is more of a trial-and-error process, but
after 4–6 weeks, you should be able to pinpoint what foods are causing your allergy
symptoms. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Eliminate common allergen/sensitive foods for at least three weeks. Keep a journal to

record how you are feeling when avoiding these food triggers.
2. Fill your plate with fresh vegetables, clean sources of protein (such as grass-fed
beef and poultry, wild-caught fish and small amounts of sprouted beans), healthy fats
(such as avocados and coconut oil) and whole-food carbohydrates and fruit.
These anti-inflammatory foods will help to reduce allergy symptoms.
3. After at least three weeks, reintroduce one food group at a time, eating each new food
for about 1–2 weeks. Record your symptoms and notice any changes in symptoms
between the elimination and reintroduction phases.
 4. If the symptoms return after reintroducing a suspicious food, you can confirm that this
food is a trigger by eliminating it once again. Notice if the symptoms clear up once
again when the food is removed.

Research shows that if symptoms disappear during elimination, a food allergy is likely the
cause of the symptoms. The cause can be established by reintroducing foods once at a time.
(20) In a 2015 study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, data from 131 patients
were analyzed in order to assess the time required to improve food allergy symptoms. 129
patients (98 percent) improved after a four-week elimination diet and only two patients
improved after 8 weeks. A statistically significant difference before and after commencing
the elimination diet was seen in all recorded food allergy symptoms. (21)

5. Use These Supplements

Digestive Enzymes — Digestive enzymes aid the digestive system in fully breaking down
food particles, and it’s a vital food allergy remedy. The incomplete digestion of food proteins
may be linked to food allergies and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. (22)

Probiotics — Good bacteria can help the immune system deal with food more favorably. A
2001 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that
differences in neonatal gut microbiota precede the development of atopy, suggesting a role
for commensal intestinal bacteria in the preventing of allergies. This research had lead to the
hypothesis that probiotics may promote oral tolerance. To boost the good bacteria in your
gut, take 50 billion organisms daily. (23)

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) — Research published in the Journal of Alternative and

Complementary Medicine suggests that MSM supplementsmay serve as an effective food
allergies treatment. MSM is an organic sulfur-containing compound that is used to improve
immune function, lower inflammation and help restore healthy bodily tissue. MSM is a useful
food allergy remedy because it can also be used to relieve digestive issues and skin
conditions. (24)

Vitamin B5 — Vitamin B5 supports adrenal function, making it a natural food allergy

treatment. It helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract, and it boosts immune function so that
your body is less likely to overreact to trigger foods. (25)

L-glutamine — Research shows that l-glutamine can help help repair leaky gut and immune
health. Because leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, is likely to cause various health
conditions, including allergies, l-glutamine works as a natural food allergy remedy due to its
mechanistic potential in inhibit inflammation. (26)

6. Try These Essential Oils

Peppermint Oil — Peppermint oil can soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation
that’s associated with food allergies. It can also help to relieve other food allergy symptoms
like headaches and itching. Peppermint can be applied topically to the temples, abdomen or
bottoms of the feet. To soothe digestive issues, take 1–2 drops internally by placing it on the
roof of the mouth or in a glass a glass of water. (27)
Eucalyptus Oil – Another essential oil for allergies is eucalyptus oil, which opens up the
lungs and sinuses, improving circulation and reducing symptoms of food
allergies. Eucalyptus contains citronellal, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects;
it also works as an expectorant, helping to cleanse the body of toxins. To get rid of food
allergies with eucalyptus oil, diffuse 5–10 drops at home or apply 1–2 drops topically to the
chest and temples. (28)

Final Thoughts

 There is no current cure for food allergies, the condition can only be managed by
allergen avoidance or treatment of food allergy symptoms.
 Food allergies consist of an immune system response to a disagreeable food. The
body senses that a protein in a particular food may be harmful and triggers an immune
system response, producing histamine to protect itself.
 To get rid of food allergies, pursue food allergies treatments, such as avoiding foods
that lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system, such as packaged foods,
sugar, artificial colorings and gluten. It is also important to sidestep common allergens
until you are able to pinpoint what foods are causing food allergy symptoms.
 An elimination diet will help you to pinpoint what foods are serving as allergens and
it will help to reduce food allergy symptoms. By sticking to anti-inflammatory foods,
like leafy greens, bone broth and fermented foods, you are healing your gut and
boosting immune system function.
 There are supplements that serve as food allergies treatments, such as MSM,
probiotics, digestive enzymes and vitamin B5. Some essential oils also work as food
allergy remedies, including peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils, which have
cooling effects.

Read Next: Fish You Should Never Eat

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