Let’s be honest here. We all love to eat and enjoy good food. Who doesn’t? But, while we might all be created equal, our bodies don’t always react equally to the foods we eat. For some people, certain foods can cause abnormal activity in the immune system, creating what's called an allergic reaction. Explained simply, allergic reactions occur when the body’s immune system misinterprets a specific food or protein as an evil pathogen — or at least something that will make you sick. Your immune system then goes into defense mode, releasing bodily chemicals to fight off the intruders.
Some people may not notice this happening at all. For others, it's a nuisance. And, for more than a few, it's a very serious problem. Typically, reactions trigger mild symptoms including:
- Inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Itchy Eyes
- Rashes
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Hives
- Low Blood Pressure
- Nausea
But some of the more serious symptoms related to food allergies may include:
- Trouble Breathing
- Weak Heartbeat
- Obstructive Swelling of the Throat and Tongue
- Trouble Swallowing
- Weak Pulse
- Loss of Consciousness
- Death
Around 32 million Americans suffer from food-related allergies every day1. Studies show that every 3 minutes, someone is rushed to the emergency room to treat an allergy-related illness1. Sometimes, these illnesses can even prove fatal. Perhaps an even more striking statistic is that, of the many different food allergens that exist, only 7 ingredients are responsible for over 90% of allergic reactions. Dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, gluten, and peanuts are the most common allergens in food.
The best way to prevent allergies from flaring up is simply to avoid these common triggers. So say the people without food allergies, who don't understand it's not that easy. Most have no idea it’s possible to have an allergic reaction without consuming any of the 7 ingredients. After all, how could you have an allergic reaction to a food you didn't eat? Oh, if only it were so simple. Plates, knives, spoons, forks… if anything used to prepare your meal has even the smallest traces of allergens on it, you’re still very vulnerable to having a reaction.
The same applies to supplements. There are often many risks hidden in solvents, fillers, and other inactive ingredients. Unless special care is taken to prevent contact with allergens during formulation, supplements can cause severe allergic reactions. If you think that’s scary, you probably don’t want to hear that the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices don’t even require manufacturers to test for allergens in their supplements. What's with that?
Food allergies are a widespread concern, and definitely not something to be taken lightly. Yet so many brands — supplement companies included — seem content to treat them as an afterthought. Why should that be? Suffering from food allergies doesn’t make you any less of a human being than anyone else. Having them should not mean you can’t enjoy your favorite omegas or herbs. That just isn't fair. At NutriGold, we understand that food allergies are no laughing matter. That’s why we developed our own six-step allergen verification program to protect the health and wellness of our customers.
To learn more about NutriGold's efforts to avoid allergens and food sensitivities, check out our section titled Clean Label: Commitment to Allergen-Free Products.