Cryotherapy Can Reduce & Eliminate Food Allergy & Intolerance Symptoms

What are Food Sensitivities?

Food sensitivities are toxic responses to food and are divided into two categories: allergic responses and food intolerances. It can be challenging to identify food sensitivities because there is often a delayed reaction to reactive foods of up to 2 days. Common food sensitivities include dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, shellfish, peanuts, and others.

Food Allergies Involve the Immune System

Food allergies are defined as toxic reactions to food or food additives that involve the immune system. The immune system exists throughout your body to protect it from potentially harmful foreign molecules. It is most active in the areas of the body that have direct contact with the outside world, such as the skin, lungs, nose, and gastrointestinal tract. These areas frequently manifest symptoms of allergic reactions: hives, asthma, congestion, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

The majority of potentially harmful molecules enter your body through your intestinal tract when you eat, and 60% of immune activity occurs there. The immune system is made up of a team of different types of cells that work together to protect the body from foreign invaders: B-cells produce antibodies; T-cells conduct surveillance for potentially dangerous molecules and kill disease-causing bacteria; and macrophages are the scavenger cells of your body, acting like garbage trucks, cleaning up residue and removing dangerous substances.

A surveillance team of cells determines whether newly introduced molecules (the food we eat) pose a threat. An allergic reaction occurs when your body identifies molecules as potentially harmful and toxic; these are called antigens. The surveillance cells bind to the antigens, activating immune cells to release histamine and other chemicals, which then signal scavenger macrophages to arrive at the site and destroy them.  Suppression of the allergic reaction can occur if this histamine response is reduced. Whole-body cryotherapy has been shown to reduce histamine production and, therefore, can alleviate food allergy symptoms.

When the surveillance immune cells bind to an antigen and send out chemical messengers, they also communicate to other immune cells, the B-cells, which are instructed to make antibodies to the antigen

An antibody will bind to one specific antigen, identifying it as a dangerous molecule that should be removed. Macrophage cells (scavenger cells of the immune system) are specifically designed to remove damaging molecules from the body. After the antibody binds to a dangerous molecule, macrophages engulf it, removing it from circulation and destroying it.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

1. vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stools,
2. eczema, hives, skin rashes,
3. wheezing,
4. runny nose.

Foods That Cause Allergic Reactions

Over 140 different foods have been identified as causes of allergic reactions. According to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 90% of food allergies are associated with 8 food types:

• dairy
• eggs
• peanuts
• soy foods
• wheat
• fish
• crustacean shellfish (shrimp, prawns, lobster, crab)
• tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts)

Food Intolerances Do Not Involve the Immune System

The majority of toxic responses to food are intolerances rather than food allergies. A food intolerance is defined as any reproducible, toxic response to food that does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance responses can occur due to:

1. A food can contain a molecule that your body has difficulty breaking down or digesting, causing an intolerance response as that molecule passes through your intestinal tract. Lactose intolerance is an example of this type of toxic food response.
2. Food intolerances can also be caused by food additives such as sulfites, which are added to processed foods to extend their shelf life. In this case, the sulfite is an irritant to the GI tract, most likely causing inflammation and associated symptoms.

There are many types of food intolerances. The most common are intolerances to:

• Lactose
• Tyramine
• Preservatives and Additives
• Gluten

How do these foods affect my body?

Food intolerances are often inconsistent because they not only involve sensitivity to specific food molecules but are also affected by the health of the entire digestive tract and by whether it provides a good barrier for your body. When the digestive system is compromised, you may have a sensitivity to foods that otherwise would not affect you adversely. An example of this situation is “leaky gut syndrome,” in which the GI tract is compromised by inflammation, allowing food molecules and immune byproducts to enter the bloodstream.

The role of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes your esophageal area, stomach, and your upper and lower intestinal tracts, is to take in the food you eat, break it down into molecule-sized pieces, and have it absorbed into your body in a controlled way. Your gastrointestinal tract provides a protective barrier between the food you eat and the rest of your body, and when it is healthy and functioning efficiently, it lets in specific food molecules at specific places and times.

Many factors can affect this barrier, and when it is compromised in any way, it can allow food molecules to enter that are not properly digested. This can cause a reaction to a food, not because you are sensitive to it, but because it is in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Whole-body cryotherapy can actually reduce food intolerances and heal “leaky gut” by reducing inflammation throughout the GI tract, including the stomach and small and large intestines. By reducing inflammation caused by allergens, stress, or other disease processes, the gut can heal and become less porous. Food intolerances actually decrease because reactive food molecules are unable to enter the bloodstream and cause symptoms such as hives, eczema, rosacea, rash, GI discomfort, congestion, wheezing, etc. 

Food Sensitivities, Esophageal Reflux, and Your Stomach

Food digestion begins in the stomach at the upper end of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The stomach has a protective mucosal layer, the stomach lining, which protects it from the acid produced by specialized cells called parietal cells. The acid in the stomach is vital for breaking down food particles.

An allergic response in the stomach can produce an area of inflammation in the stomach wall, causing lesions or sores in the stomach lining and potentially destroying parietal cells. The reduced number of parietal cells results in reduced acid production, thereby inhibiting proper breakdown of food in the stomach. When food is improperly broken down in the stomach, large undigested particles are transported to the intestines, where they cause additional inflammation & allergic responses, intensifying existing symptoms.

Whole body cryotherapy has been shown to reduce inflammation in internal organs, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Whole-body cryotherapy can reduce inflammation, which can facilitate lesion healing and parietal cell regeneration. This less-inflammatory environment promotes more complete gastric digestion and prevents large food molecules from reaching the intestines. This further reduces inflammation in the intestines and reduces the leaching of reactive molecules into the bloodstream. Food allergy and intolerance symptoms are thus further reduced or eliminated.

Along with toxic foods, alcohol consumption and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can also destroy the stomach lining, causing stomach inflammation and inadequate digestion of food. Medications that decrease stomach acid production also decrease the ability to digest food properly

One specific type of food allergy in the stomach is called allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis. This condition is characterized by symptoms of acid reflux, severe abdominal pain after eating, vomiting, and diarrhea. In allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis, the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestinal tract can become inflamed, compromising their proper function. People with serious acid reflux problems that are not responsive to medications have this condition. If left untreated, inflammation in the stomach can cause holes in the stomach lining, leading to additional problems.

Whole-body cryotherapy is especially helpful for reducing symptoms of allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis because it directly reduces inflammation in the GI tract. Symptoms can be radically improved and even eliminated with consistent cryotherapy treatment.

Food Sensitivities and Your Gastrointestinal Barrier

One of the most important functions of your intestinal tract, especially the small intestine, is its selective barrier function. Your small intestine does an incredible job of keeping out the dangerous and unwanted molecules while letting in the nutrients, building blocks, and energy-generating substances your body needs for survival. Your small intestine receives food from your stomach, processes it further, and then selectively and carefully delivers nutrients to tissues that need them.

This barrier function works well most of the time. However, research has shown that when compromised, it can become ‘leaky’ and allow molecules that normally wouldn’t get into your body to sneak through. Molecules travel to your liver, where they may be destroyed or enter the bloodstream and travel throughout your body.

“Leaky gut” is the term commonly used to describe a condition in which the lining of your small intestine is damaged, allowing large food particles to pass through. Leaky gut can be caused by intestinal inflammations from parasites or microbial infections, as well as a food allergy response, and can result in the development of multiple food allergies. Inflammation of the intestinal wall caused by allergic reactions to one food, left untreated, can facilitate allergic responses to other foods because the inflamed wall of the intestine allows toxic food molecules into the body that normally would be prevented from entering. An increasing number of food allergy responses taxes the ability of the macrophages to eliminate damaging food molecules. The immune system gets overwhelmed, and increasing numbers of toxic food molecules are allowed into the body.

Leaky gut can often prevent the absorption of nutrients vital to your health. Nutrients are normally absorbed through the cells at the tips of the intestinal villi; however, when the intestine is damaged by inflammation, the villi are no longer healthy or intact and are unable to properly absorb available nutrients. Cow’s milk, eggs, soy, and wheat are common allergens associated with intestinal inflammation and leaky gut. Research has shown that stress can also cause leaky gut.

Food Sensitivities and Systemic Responses

The travel of toxic food particles via the bloodstream to other parts of the body can account for a rash on your arms or legs as a result of an allergic response. Many scientists and clinicians have examined the role of food allergy in a number of systemic (whole-body) diseases and conditions. Most notably, conditions associated with inflammation, such as red, inflamed patches of skin (dermatitis), asthma, and joint pain, have been linked to toxic food responses. Rosacea, a condition causing red, inflamed facial skin, is thought to be triggered by an allergic reaction to chocolate, red wine, or highly processed food.

Food Cravings Explained

It is possible that our bodies can become addicted to chemicals such as histamine or cortisol, which are secreted by immune cells in response to allergens.

Another theory proposed by a well-known immunologist is based on the science of how antibodies and antigens connect (bind) to each other. Antibodies can bind to more than one site on an allergen in the food; therefore, when there is very little antigen but a large number of antibodies present, the antibodies will cross-link and form large complexes. It is theorized that these large complexes can increase allergic symptoms.

In an attempt to reduce symptoms, the body may try to increase the number of antigens to counterbalance the higher levels of antibodies. Thus, the body may crave antigenic food in an attempt to restore the antigen-to-antibody ratio.

Food Sensitivities & Aging

Food allergies are more common in infants than in adults, but food intolerance is more prevalent in adults. In general, adults have more compromised digestive function due to stress, the intake of alcohol, and the use of drugs like NSAIDS such as aspirin. In addition, the production of digestive enzymes and digestive function becomes more sluggish with age. Inflammation also increases with age (and may actually be the source of aging!), causing more and more food intolerances. Whole-body cryotherapy effectively reduces inflammation throughout the body, reduces symptoms of aging, and can significantly decrease food intolerances—allowing you to eat the foods you love without negative side effects.

Whole body cryotherapy can reduce food allergy and intolerance symptoms in three important ways:

1. Food allergy symptoms arise when the immune system produces histamine. Whole-body cryotherapy reduces histamine production, thereby suppressing food allergy symptoms.
2. Inflammation in the stomach and the small and large intestines causes “leaky gut” syndrome, whereby food molecules enter the bloodstream and cause symptoms such as eczema, rosacea, hives, rash, congestion, wheezing, fatigue, etc. Whole body cryotherapy reduces inflammation, allowing the GI tract to heal and become less porous. Food allergy & intolerance symptoms can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
3. Reactive food molecules such as gluten, soy, dairy, nuts, etc., can cause inflammation in the GI tract, leading to GI discomfort and other symptoms. Whole-body cryotherapy can suppress this inflammation, reducing or eliminating the associated symptoms.

Call ChillRx to start your journey to freedom from food allergy and intolerance symptoms!! Our clients report a significant reduction in food-related allergy symptoms and can return to eating the foods they love! Please check out our website to hear directly from our clients regarding cryotherapy and food sensitivities:

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