An increasing number of people of all ages are experiencing allergies. Can foods be related to environmental allergies? Yes. Eating the wrong foods for your body type can create hypersensitivity of the digestive system and the immune system over time. So the reactions to dander, pollen, trees, and grass allergens are strongly linked to the common foods that we eat.

About half the population is allergic or intolerant to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and wheat. Smaller numbers of people are allergic to eggs, soy and shellfish. Lifethreatening reactions of anaphylactic shock or severe irritable bowel symptoms are rare, but real enough for extremely sensitive people to identify and to drastically change their diet.

The majority of people only have subtle and minor discomforts, which are often not immediate or strong enough to be directly identified to harmful foods. The common symptoms are postnasal drip, sinus congestion, sneezing, fatigue, abdominal bloating, acid reflux, and change in bowel habits. Exposure to environmental allergens makes these reactions more intense.

Skin tests and blood lab data help to identify environmental allergens as the culprits. But the real culprits in 80 percent of cases are the foods that we eat every day.

To test which foods you are allergic to, start by identifying which food you suspect may be the culprit. Completely avoid the food item for one whole week and then introduce it in large amount. Observe your response for the next 24 hours. Repeat with the other foods.

Asian medicine has a very convenient constitutional medical system to find out which foods you may be allergic or intolerant to. Body type diet confirmation and acupuncture treatments help to recover faster. Start enjoying less of those chronic and nagging allergic symptoms by taking simple steps.

David Lee, PhD, is a Koreanborn licensed acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in constitution medicine. For more information, call (805) 497-6200, e-mail meditreeclinic@yahoo.com or visit www.davidleeacupuncture.com