Most people recognize itchy eyes, runny noses and hives or itchy skin as allergies. These are the typically accepted forms of allergy. However, there is another form that is not easily, recognized, suspected or even agreed upon. It can affect any part of your body from an inability to concentrate, think clearly, fatigue, hyperactivity, an inability to sleep, joint and muscle pains, bedwetting, ear infections (check your dairy intake!), asthma ( try no milk, decrease dust mites and feathers. Any food can cause allergies, even healthy ones like apples and pears. Some of the biggest culprits are cow's milk or any dairy, sugar, wheat, eggs, preservatives and artificial colorings. Some common environmental allergens are dust, molds, pollen, cigarette smoke, pesticides, natural gas, gasoline, perfumes, scented cleaning materials or markers, deodorants, disinfectants, synthetic carpets, the chemicals in new mattresses, Aspartame and Teflon.

"In my experience, eating disorders and even alcoholism can be related to allergies. Frequently, eating disorders are food addictions. Some who are denied their favorite foods actually become ill, similar to an addict who cannot get a “fix”. When you have food sensitivity, there can be a period when a food is inordinately craved. If you happen to be addicted to wheat or baked goods, you can never get enough of them, so you become obese. Men who are addicted to corn may drink a lot of beer and become alcoholics. They're sensitive to and addicted to the beer, but it's the corn or sometimes some other component in the beer that is causing the craving and alcoholism. Sometimes, if grains are a problem, alcoholics can feel "drunk" after eating cereal or baked goods."

- Doris J. Rapp, MD. F.A.A.A., F.A.A.P., F.A.E.M.