Allergies and intolerances have been researched for years yet only a small fraction of people actually realise they have one. Wheat and Gluten are allergies are probably the most common yet many of us go years before realising there is actually a reason for feeling down or uncomfortable most of the time.

Common symptoms of an intolerance or allergy to gluten include bloating, stomach ache, symptoms associated with IBS and tiredness. However, the less commonly known but more commonly experienced symptoms include feeling down or depressed, rashes or rough and dry skin, extreme lethargic feelings, problems relating to the lack of Vitamin B12, Iron and Chromium which can cause cravings for sweet and sugary food.

How many times a week do you send your kids off to school with sandwiches in their lunchbox? Quite common? This is a typical school lunch for kids and indeed working adults. Such convenience food such as bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, pastries and crisps all contain gluten. The continued "abuse" to the body by feeding it foods such as above can cause severe problems in later life including a higher risk of cancer and weight problems.

If you suspect you have an allergy you should see your GP or nurse and explain why you think you may have an allergy or intolerance. However, many people who I have spoke to expressed their difficulty when trying to get an allergy test. Like me, many people attended a private clinic for a quick test and within 5 minutes I found out I was actually allergic to gluten and was deficient in vitamin B12 aswell as Iron.

I personally think people should be tested when youger to avoid harming our bodies, however allergies can be brought on later in life, such as after giving birth. I now have B12 injections every 3 months and no longer eat gluten containing foods. I now feel wide awake, energetic, have lost weight and no longer suffer nights on end with stomach cramps and lethargic feelings.

The challenge now is to restart my whole mindset when it comes to food. I need to rebuild my diet and find the best alternatives. Most food products in the UK now state whether or not they contain any allergenic products.

If just one person recognizes the symptoms described above and can improve their health by eating right, that is reason enough to tell my story!

Learn more about this author, Danielle M.
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