Did you know that sesame is sprouting into a major food allergen? If not, then listen up! We have talked a lot about food intolerances throughout many of our blog entries but to recap for those of you who are unfamiliar with what a food intolerance is let us reiterate: by definition a food intolerance is the inability to properly digest or fully process certain foods. Difficulty to fully process food is not just limited to foods that are eaten but also ingested through our skin such as threw cosmetics and beauty products.
Sesame is now becoming a major food allergen, not only because we are consciously eating more of it but because it is being placed in so many other foods and products that one may not suspect such as: tomato sauce, hand creams, lipsticks as well as progesterone shots for fertility treatment.
We are not just eating more sesame these days but it is also being used more and more by pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries because it has many desirable properties such as being stable, nonirritating, heat resistant and non-sweating effects.
Ones reaction is dependant on how sensitive one is to sesame; here are some symptoms one may experience: hives, itchy mouth, a life threatening reaction that may cause a rapid drop in blood pressure, breathing problems, respiratory failure and possible death. Other signs of food intolerance may range from bloating, gas, abdominal distention, trouble concentrating and fatigue.
Sesame allergies are not yet listed on the Big 8 food allergens list (milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat) in the USA even though it is a growing concern. Our advice to you is if you feel “funny” after eating something, reflect back on what it was that you consumed. Make a note of it and if you find the next time you eat the same foods and get the same reaction then most likely you may have a food intolerance to something you ate.
If you would like more information about food intolerance then join us for our lecture: You are what you eat, where we will be discussing:
- The impact food has on your body
- Positive & negative outcomes of food choice.
- Learn how your body talks to you and what it might be saying!
Lecture will be held Saturday June 26th in San Francisco see our events page for more details.
Lori Metroka
Nutrition & Wellness Specialist
Information for this blog entry acquired from Living Without Magazine.
Picture by:http://www.nutsonline.com/images/items/07009lB1.jpg