Zinc is an important micronutrient needed for many different functions in the body. A genetic mutation in your zinc transporter gene and a lack of dietary zinc can lead to a zinc deficiency. This, in turn, can affect sleep issues, hyperactivity, inattention, oppositional behavior and impulsivity in those with ADHD.
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Iron is required for many functions in the body and brain including oxygen transport, immune function, and DNA synthesis. A deficiency can aggravate ADHD symptoms such as lack of focus and attention and mood regulation.
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How do lectins and phytates affect those with Celiac disease? This article discusses possible reactions.
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A food allergy and a food sensitivity are two very different things. Food Allergy A food allergy is an IgE mediated immune response. There are three types: 1. IgE-mediated (Example peanuts, shellfish) IgE-mediated food allergy symptoms normally occur immediately in connection to certain foods. The symptoms can be hives, difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, coughing, and others. An example is an allergy to peanuts or shellfish. 2. non-IgE-mediated (Example Celiac Disease) Non-IgE mediated conditions can have delayed symptoms.A food sensitivity, on the other hand, does not involve IgE antibodies. 3. mixed IgE/non-IgE-mediated (Example: Atopic dermatitis/EOE) IGE Skin Prick testing IgE skin prick testing is a reliable, trusted, and proven method of testing for true food allergies. So what causes food sensitivity? A food sensitivity is the symptom of an underlying problem. Just like when you get a headache and you take a pain killer. The pill works to stop the pain, but the cause of the headache is still there. Food sensitivities indicate a deeper problem, such as: • Low stomach acid • Lack of certain digestive enzymes • Poor diversity of good gut bacteria or an overgrowth of bad gut bacteria • Intestinal permeability • Certain medications/antibiotics • The poor functionality of certain genetic variations • Mold exposure • Histamine intolerance • A combination of any of the above IgG testing IgG tests are not endorsed or recommended by any of the well-known and trusted main allergy organizations. They are also not scientifically proven. The production of IgG antibodies to foods is a normal immunologic reaction. IgG food sensitivity tests are dangerous since they require the person to eliminate many different foods or food groups in order to “fix” the problem. However, doing so can cause further problems such as nutritional deficiencies and an unbalanced gut microbiome. Sources: Gocki J, Bartuzi Z. Role of immunoglobulin G antibodies in diagnosis of food allergy. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016 Aug;33(4):253-6. doi: 10.5114/ada.2016.61600. Epub 2016 Aug 16. PMID: 27605894; PMCID: PMC5004213. Beyer K, Teuber SS. Food allergy diagnostics: scientific and unproven procedures. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Jun;5(3):261-6. doi: 10.1097/01.all.0000168792.27948.f9. PMID: 15864086. Hammond C, Lieberman JA. Unproven Diagnostic Tests for Food Allergy. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2018 Feb;38(1):153-163. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2017.09.011. PMID: 29132671. Stapel SO, Asero R, Ballmer-Weber BK, Knol EF, Strobel S, Vieths S, Kleine-Tebbe J; EAACI Task Force. Testing for IgG4 against foods is not recommended as a diagnostic tool: EAACI Task Force Report. Allergy. 2008 Jul;63(7):793-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01705.x. Epub 2008 May 16. PMID: 18489614. Carr S, Chan E, Lavine E, Moote W. CSACI Position statement on the testing of food-specific IgG. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2012 Jul 26;8(1):12. doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-8-12. PMID: 22835332; PMCID: PMC3443017. https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198%2817%2930704-3/fulltext#sec2 https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/igg-food-test https://www.aacc.org/science-and-research/scientific-shorts/2022/what-is-the-clinical-utility-of-food Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, De Bartolomeis F, Stellato C, Cianferoni A, Casolaro V, Iovino P. Food Allergy and Intolerance: A Narrative Review on Nutritional Concerns. Nutrients. 2021 May 13;13(5):1638. doi: 10.3390/nu13051638. PMID: 34068047; PMCID: PMC8152468.
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{vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, growth, immune function} What is Vitamin A? Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin obtained through diet. It includes retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene. There are two forms: Preformed vitamin A (retinol and retinyl ester) is derived from animal sources such as meat, dairy products, and fish. Provitamin A (beta-carotenoid) is derived from colorful fruits and vegetables. Required for: cell growth immune function Eye health fetal development skin health response to inflammation Helps reduce oxidative stress protection against disease male and female re-productivity Toxicity Toxicity can occur because of the long half-life of Vitamin A in the body. Toxicity symptoms include dry skin, headaches, anorexia, nausea, bone pain, and cerebral edema. Toxicity occurs when a very high dose of Vitamin A has been taken. Therefore you should always consult with your health care provider before taking Vitamin A supplementation for correct dosage. Deficiency symptoms: night blindness xerophthalmia (dry eyes) severely reduced immune competence delayed growth inflamed skin infertility and trouble conceiving respiratory infections slow wound healing Good Food sources Food sources include: sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin and carrots, squash, watermelon, asparagus and broccoli amongst others. DNA TESTING: The DNA Health Skin and DNA Core tests will tell you how well your body metabolises Vitamin A Sources: McEldrew EP, Lopez MJ, Milstein H. Vitamin A. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482362/ Debelo H, Novotny JA, Ferruzzi MG. Vitamin A. Adv Nutr. 2017 Nov 15;8(6):992-994. doi: 10.3945/an.116.014720. PMID: 29141980; PMCID: PMC5683001. Cite this Page Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 4, Vitamin A. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222318/
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{immune health, antioxidant, increases oxytocin release , collagen and more} What is Vitamin C? Vitamin D is an essential water soluble vitamin. Essential meaning your body can’t produce it. You need to obtain it through food and/or supplements. The name for Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. It is essential for collagen, carnitine and neurotransmitters biosynthesis. Ascorbic acid is easily absorbed but not stored in the body. It has to regularly supplemented through diet or tablets to maintain the ascorbic acid pool in the body. It is absorbed by the small intestine by means of active transport and simple diffusion. Vitamin C is widely distributed in all the body tissues. Its level is high in adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and retina. Its level decreases in kidneys and muscles. Whatever the body doesn’t use, is extrected via urine. Required for: collagen formation carnitine biosynthesis catecholamine synthesis producing dopamine transforming cholesterol into bile acids inhibiting nitrosamine formation in the stomach. enhancing the absorption of iron preventing scurvy immune system defense wound repair and healing oxidation At risk of deficiency: the elderly smokers Taking medications such as aspirin, indomethacin, oral contraceptives, tetracyclines, and corticosteroids. Those who have renal failure due to filtration of water-soluble vitamin C during dialysis conditions like gingivitis, asthma, glaucoma, collagen disorders, heatstroke, arthritis, infections Deficiency signs: easy bruising fatigue and low mood keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) coiled/corkscrew body hairs spoon-shaped fingernails slow healing of wounds painful joints weak bones bleeding gums and tooth loss weak immune system iron deficiency anemia Did you know? Vitamin C acts a cofactor for oxytocin. It helps stimulate the secretion of oxytocin from the pituitary gland into your bloodstream. Oxytocin is what helps us feel affection and love. According to one study, Vitamin C supplementation effectively increased work motivation and attentional focus and contributed to better performance on cognitive tasks requiring sustained attention. DNA TESTING: he DNA Health Skin and DNA Core tests will tell you how well your body metabolises Vitamin C and the genetic variants you carry that use Vit C in oxidation, and collagen formation. Sources: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-2-7 PMC4959991/ PMC8783887/ PMC6071228/
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