After 20-years in clinical research, it still surprises me that may of my colleagues have forgotten what they learned in physiology 101.
Many food allergies are the result of incomplete sterilization and conversion of the nutrients consumed. When food enters the stomach, it is mixed with Hydrochloric acid (HCL) and a host of other enzymes. The most important of these enzymes is Pepsin one and two. The HCL, along with the churning action of the stomach (peristalsis), turns the nutrients into a thick liquid mass, called chyme. The HCL and pepsin breakdown proteins into proteoses and peptones, which are the building blocks for the amino acids, necessary to sustain life.
As a person ages, the acid producing cells in the stomach (parietal cells) wane in their to produce sufficiently strong HCL. This condition is called Hypochlorhydria, in extreme cases it is called Achlorhydria (no acid production). Hypochlorhydria is common to all age groups, not just older people.
The peptic enzymes are most active in the conversion of proteins when the strength of the HCL is at 1.0 to 1.3 pH. As the strength of the HCL drops, so does the ability of the peptic enzymes to convert proteins. At 5.0 pH the peptic enzymes are completely inactive in the conversion of proteins.
What does all this mean?
Many proteins are allergens and will cause allergies if they are not destroyed in the first stage of digestion. Hypochlorhydria will allow raw protein to dump into the small bowel and cause allergic reactions. The most common of these reactions is the IgG reaction that occurs hours, or in some cases days after ingestion. The less common allergic reaction is the IgE reaction that occurs immediately after ingestion.
Nursing women that are Hypochlorhydric, or Achlorhydric, can transmit allergens to the newborn through nursing.
Proper pH balance in the digestive tract is vitally important in maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing food allergies. If you have food allergies or other digestive issues, I highly recommend that you get a pH diagnostic test or gastrogram. A pH diagnostic test, or gastrogram, will allow the doctor to make an accurate assessment of your digestive issues. Search the net for pH diagnostic test, gastrogram or pH capsule test.