Re: Part 4

...It is because of the dilemmas I have with the extreme Elimination Diets recommended for eczema sufferers, that I did not follow this recommendation when it came to my nieces. I would only eliminate a whole food source from the girls diet if it was proven to produce an allergic reaction. For example, a good source of vitamin C is orange juice. My youngest niece developed an eczema reaction on the vaginal region after consuming orange juice. We had introduced the citric juice too soon (9 months old); and as a result, her system wasn't strong enough to handle it. She is now 2 years old and able to consume orange juice without that type of a reaction. My nieces consume whole wheat bread, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, nuts, oatmeal, fish, chicken, turkey, and a multitude of vegetables and fruit with no allergic reactions. They have a tendency towards severe eczema flareups; therefore, their results with the foods mentioned is very significant. The key is balance. Where there is overconsumption of foods that promote candida/yeast growth an eczema flareup may occur. The solution in that case is not to panic; but rather, it is to restore balance by easing up on the dairy, cheese, or Sugar products that promote candida growth and increase the fiber foods.

When you have a food allergen, your body will usually give an immediate symptom reaction to signal that you are allergic. It will usually manifest as a hivelike eczema reaction with a lot of itching or manifest in specific areas of the body, like the mouth, abdominal or digestive regions of the skin. In my case, where I had a food allergen to mango, the area or region of eczema manifestation was localized to the mouth/lips. These are just examples of eczema reactions instigated by food allergens to demonstrate my point regarding your question; nonetheless, please keep in mind that food allergens aren't the only instigators of eczema reactions.

Going further into your question regarding the specific foods you mentioned, I think that it is very important for you to understand what nutritional sources those foods provide.

Dairy provides essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and riboflavin (vitamin B2). [For Your Information/FYI - Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is essential for the normal growth and respiration (breathing) of the cells.] Dairy is also fortified with vitamins A & D

Whole grains provide such essential nutrients as fiber, antioxidants like vitamin E & selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc and B vitamins (including Niacin)

Eggs provide protein, iron, phosphorous, vitamin A, B complex vitamins and vitamin D

One of the main deficiencies that eczema represents is a vitamin A deficiency; in particular, the beta carotene form of vitamin A. Beta carotene is an immune booster which safely converts stored vitamin A in the liver for usage throughout the body. Considering that eczema represents an immuno disorder, it is understandable the importance of this essential nutrient for eczema sufferers. The caution with this vitamin (vitamin A); however, is that people are aware of the dangers of overdosing on this particular vitamin because it is stored in the body. This is why the beta carotene form of this vitamin is preferable because it promotes the conversion of the stored vitamin A. It is also preferable that this vitamin source (beta carotene) is consumed through its fruit or vegetable sources. Green leafy vegetables, carrots, and squash are a little more than a few of the food sources for beta carotene.

Considering the importance of whole foods for nutrient replenishment in the human body, you will then begin to wonder why such important foods are suggested for elimination from the diet of an eczema sufferer. It's not the foods that are the problem; but rather, it is the processes by which man uses to produce the foods that create the problem. For example; Antibiotics used to treat the cattle and poultry create the problems that eczema suffers would have with dairy and eggs. This is done by commercial farmers for high productivity; however, Antibiotics promote candida growth, which instigates eczema flareups. Another problem is the harsh pesticides or chemical fertilizers used to grow the fruit and vegetables. Yet, another problem is that a whole grain, like wheat, loses a large portion of its nutrient sources (like fiber) in the milling process. This is why you are beginning to see the general public becoming more interested in organically grown fruits and vegetables, along with organic dairy and egg sources.

It didn't make sense to me that these whole foods, which provided such essential nutrients to the body, were suddenly harmful to the body. Yet, when I investigated further, it made sense that the problem resided in the harsh chemical sprays, Antibiotics , and food processing procedures. What I don't like about the eczema food elimination list is that it doesn't mention WHY those foods have become a problem (as I just did). If they did, more people could make an informed decision; and as a result, opt for organically grown products and not sacrifice their body's nutritional needs by total elimination of the whole foods that provide the essential nutrients for which they are deficient.

My other problem with the Elimination Diets for eczema sufferers is that they don't mention junk food, processed foods, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages in their list of foods that are toxic to the body and detrimental to the immune health. It is that consistent omission that makes me leary of the validity of those lists and their source of origin. Whole foods aren't the only foods that promote eczema flareup; and, that should be established in the list of elimination foods provided by the medical community. Of all the foods that should be eliminated from the diet of an eczema sufferer, junk food, soft drinks and alcohol should be tops on the list. The reason being, unlike the whole food sources targeted for elimination, those food items contain no nutritional value.

In summary regarding whole food Elimination Diets , make sure that you are eliminating a whole food because you've personally experienced an allergic reaction; not just because you've read about it on an eczema list. What has occurred as a result of strict adherence to these list of whole food elimination is that more deficiencies have developed, increasing the eczema suffering and promoting other diseases in addition to the eczema... Tweet