Corn Allergy

Umber · Post by **Umber** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:18 pm

What symptoms do you look for if you have a corn allergy? Doc took me off Armour some time ago thinking I might have a corn allergy. I ran across a list of things that corn is in and was

!!

Allergies don't really run in my family. Aren't allergies hereditary?

Hugs

Lori

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 4:28 pm

Lori---I just left U a reply under the stone post--

and I always thought allergies were heredity too???

I also looked thru a list and was as shocked as U, to see corn all over the place~~~~

My older daughter Deb, HAD sever allergies to animals---but as time marched on--her allergies left???

luv Barb

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:21 pm

I'm no expert and I'm sure Wayne or Polly will chime in here, but allergies can be hereditary, but it seems that they are cropping up in more and more people these days which leads me to believe they are also environmental whether it be people exposed to stuff, or the way the food industry modifies our foods.

Have you tried going corn free? Do you feel better? I hope you are feeling okay.

Katy

Post by **tex** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:04 pm

Hi Lori,

If you are truly allergic to corn, you will experience the classic symptoms of common allergies, such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, etc, and the symptoms will usually appear within minutes of ingesting the corn. You may even possibly experience anaphylactic shock, which can include symptoms such as a skin rash on your chest, arms, neck, face, etc., breathing difficulties, due to bronchial tube restrictions, rapid heartbeat, profuse perspiration, etc., and which can be life threatening, in some cases.

Those of us in this group who have a problem with corn, usually consider ourselves to be intolerant, rather than allergic, based on the symptoms that we experience. IOW, we will experience symptoms such as a headache, body aches and pains, bloating, diarrhea, lethargy, brain fog, etc., much the same as a reaction against gluten, or dairy products, for example. Reactions of this type usually take longer to become evident, than a typical allergic reaction. Most of us don't notice symptoms for at least an hour or two after ingesting corn, though some do react sooner. Some, like me, for example, take as long as several days to begin to react. I suppose it depends on our own personal chemistry.

Yes, corn is in everything. It's one of the most difficult ingredients in the world to avoid, because so many of corn's derivatives are so popular, due to their low cost, and appealing taste. Corn derivatives such as dextrose, citric acid, ascorbic acic, and, of course corn syrup, and HFCS, are in almost all processed foods, and virtually all commercial non-alcoholic drinks..

I hope you're not corn intolerant.

Hugs,
Tex

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:05 am

Well I have been working for a while to see if corn is another one of my intolerances and I have felt much better since eliminating most foods that contain the corn syrup, etc. Whole corn is just not something I can handle but it has been that way most of my life. I too, think that food allergies can be hereditary.

The only food I am actually allergic to is bananas - the rest are really intolerances for me. One banana and I will be in anapylactic (sp?) shock.

Love, Maggie

Umber · Post by **Umber** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:13 am

I know for sure I don't have an allery to corn with all the yuck that Tex explained. I could be intolerant...I hope not but its something I should look into! Dang!

Thanks for the help!

Lori

m · Post by m » Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:02 pm

Lori-about 9 months ago I developed an intolerance to corn. I agree, it's in everything and very hard to avoid. If I eat it, I have the same symptoms as I do when I eat gluten. Definitely not worth it for me. I hope you don't have it but if you do, you can figure out ways to cope with it.
melissa

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:01 am

Lori,

I think that food intolerances are genetic, but a lot of people never figure out that they have them. My father definitely had food intolerances, but I didn't discover mine until after he had died. I'm even willing to be that he had MC.

I hope that corn isn't your problem. When I figured out that I was corn intolerant, Polly told be is was almost harder to give up than gluten. I didn't believe her at first, but she was right.

Let us know if you have any questions, many of us have given it up.

Love, Jean

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 7:31 pm

Hi Lori,

I agree with Melissa that if you are intolerant to corn you can/will find ways to eat w/o it. I too am intolerant of corn. It didn't take me long to figure out I was intolerant of corn as many of the members here that are in remission w dietary means are intolerant of corn - it is always smart to look into the most common allergens first when trying to figure out why symptoms persist; unfortunately corn intolerance seems to be relatively prevalent among us MCers even if it isn't considered a common allergen otherwise.

I find it "easy" to eat w/o ingesting corn but it is because I have adjusted to eating unprocessed foods and home made meals only. It is a veritable jungle out there if you try to find processed foods w/o corn. There are some condiments that you can use - just ask us if you need name brands for ketchups, mustard, mayonnaise, jams, pickles, saurkraut, olives, vinegars, oils, etc.

I recommend reading the posts in another room here - the one about treatment with diet; there is already a small collection of good advice and hard earned experience being shared there - the old GF Kitchen is also an excellent source of information on diet.

Please, don't despare if you need to eliminate corn from your diet; it will become second nature just like being gluten free.

Love,
Karen