have you ever heard of anyone being allergic to spices and peppers?
when i eat anything with these ingredients in i can have anything from minor stomach ache to feeling like i will pass out, vomit and/or violent headaches. when ever i say i can't eat anything spicey or hot people automatically assume i get the usual toilet problems, but this is not the case lol
i would love to be able to eat more "exotic" foods, and was wondering if i introduced them slowly and in small amounts over a period of time it this would enable my body to get used to them?
would love to know what you all think 🙂
bonnie :dance:
Hi Bonnieheather,
I have got all sorts of stupid allergies/intolerances but yes i have had reactions to spices (not peppers i don't think).
I once went to an indian restaurant and because I just don't like the taste of curries and spicy food i just thought i'd have the tiniest try of a chicken tikka (which i believe is one of the mildest curries) and when i say tiny i mean the tip of a fork prong amount 😀 and about half an hour later felt as if i was going to faint, went all sweaty and my stomach killed me.
I had to just walk out of the restaurant and sit outside on the floor!
This sort of thing happened with a make your own fajita box thingy, it must have been the packet spice.
So i guess i am destined to a boring diet of meat, potatos and veg :rolleyes:
Hello Bonnieheather and Perse
Yes it is quite likely you have allergy to hot spices and peppers. Chilli, bell peppers, tomatoes, aubergine and potatoes all belong to the same plant family - the Solanaceae. This family, particularly the hotter ones are well known for causing allergic problems, probably due to the alkaloid solanine in them. You can be tested for this by your though your GP. If the result comes back positive, you may have to avoid them always - and possibly tomatoes and even the other two. This is classic allergy (IgE reaction) which tends to happen pretty quickly - with an hour for example. Discuss it with your doctor - allergies can cause serious reactions.
If on the other hand the reaction comes on about 12 hours up to three days later then this is more than likely a food intolerance. These are less serious in some ways but can still cause some pretty unpleasant health problems. These can be tested for and then you will probably have to avoid them for 6 months, by which time the body can have 'forgotten' to react to them. It is important to know which reaction you are getting.
Allergies can be caused by compromised gut bacteria, where an overgrowth of 'bad' bacteria cause a inflammatory reaction in the gut lining, which develops miniscule 'holes' which allow through into the bloodstream semi-digested food molecules. The immune 'soldiers' in the bloodstream think these particles are invaders and produce antibodies to fight them off!
Have you ever had antibiotics without probiotic follow-up? Or a pretty bad gut infection (diarrhoea and vomiting)? This is when the intestinal flora can struggle to keep balanced. Also a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates feeds these 'bad' bacteria and yeasts such as Candida causing mayhem. Once one understands the mechanics it is much easier to sort things out!
If you can please find a nutritional therapist who can help you sort this out - see the[url] BANT website [/url]for one near you.
Wishing you the best of health