The News On Food

Biogenic Amines – what are they?

Naturally occurring chemicals are a food’s natural defense system and preservative. They assist in protecting the food while it grows and ripens. Biogenic amines, like salicylates, are naturally occurring in food and the degree to which these natural chemicals are contained in each food can vary greatly.

MSG (Mono-sodium Glutamate) is also naturally present in many foods such as tomatoes,  mushrooms and silverbeet for example,  although it is also used as a flavor enhancer in food production. MSG is a nasty food additive you should definitely avoid as a flavor enhancer. For those suffering from food intolerance symptoms, MSG should be avoided in all cases until you can sort out your food problems.

Amines are formed from as a result of a chemical reaction with amino acids.  To put it another way, Amines are formed as a result of a breakdown of proteins or fermentation. You can learn more from a chemical reaction perspective by clicking on this link or looking at a book such as: Biogenic Amines in Food.  Or, if you would like some general information on a possible food reaction to amines and food intolerance symptoms then you can follow this link to a book by well known author Sue Dengate.

Understanding Biogenic Amines in Food

Unlike salicylates; where the natural chemical content decreases as fruit ripens, the natural chemical content of amines increases as a food matures. So for example, as a banana ripens, the amine content increases. As meat ages, the amine content also increases, making it more likely that you will have a food reaction to amines if you suffer from food intolerance symptoms linked to amines. Where salicylates are present, in cantaloupe for example, the naturally occurring chemical content decreases with ripening.

How Many Types of Amines Are There?

Amines serve different purposes however we are only really concerned with a food reaction to amines in this article. For this purpose, the following information is based on biogenic amines.

There is more than one type of biogenic amine and in most cases, if you suffer from a food reaction to amines, you will be tested  against biogenic amines as a whole group, rather than individually. Biogenic amines are contained in both animal and plant foods so it is possible that you can have a food reaction to amines in either of these groups. Thus, if you have a food reaction to amines, it is no good just avoiding fruits and vegetables that contain biogenic amines and still eating aged meat.

The triggers for those who may have a food reaction to amines are Tyramine from the amino acid tyrosine, phenylethylamine from the amino acid phenylalanine and tryptamine from the amino acid tryptophan.

Foods That Contain Biogenic Amines

There are certain foods you will need to consider when looking to see if you have a food reaction to amines. A book that is internationally known and that we used in our house called Friendly Food, shows a chart indicating amine levels in certain foods. For example, it will list cocoa in a column for foods that are very high in amines. On the same chart, you can look at the “moderate” column for amines and see that foods such as banana, malt vinegar and pawpaw are listed, to name a few. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to conduct a food elimination diet and find out if you have a food reaction to amines.

Common foods that can cause a food reaction to amines are red wine, aged cheese and chocolate however, do not discount other foods if you do have a food reaction to amines. As mentioned earlier, cocoa is very high in amines and thus, the food reaction to amines.

Food Reaction to Amines – Where to Next?

In this article we have shared an overview of amines. I recommend you look at purchasing the following books to guide you in finding out if you have a food reaction to amines or any other naturally occurring chemicals in food. Food intolerance symptoms can be just as debilitating as food allergies but you can overcome your food problems. This is possible once you have identified where your food problems are then using the correct foods to heal your body.

1. Friendly Food Cookbook

2. The Failsafe Cookbook

3. Fed Up

Stay tuned for Part Two of this article Food Reaction To Amines.

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience with the aim of furthering your education on health. It is your responsibility as to how you use this information and I cannot be held liable for any misinterpretation or misuse of the information provided.

Salicylates – what are they?

If you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms, leaky gut syndrome or food problems then you best sit up and take notice. This post is sure to provide you with some home truths about food intolerance symptoms, your own state of health and the impact of salicylates.

For starters, just let me say that it is no easy feat trying to get the ‘i’ and the ‘y’ in the right order when spelling salicylates. To pronounce salicylates,  you say “sal-iss-i-lates”. The word salicylic acid is derived from the word “salix” meaning Willow. Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that plays a major part, among other things, in the metabolism of plants.

Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals in food. They are a part of the make up of fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices, seeds, bark and flowers.  Salicylates are not added by a food manufacturer, they simply exist in nature in varying degrees.

Salicylates – reactions

According to Friendly Food written by experts at the RPA Allergy Unit in Sydney, the common food intolerance symptoms, or more directly, symptoms related to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, MSG and amines are hives and swelling, chronic headaches, mouth ulcers, stomach pains, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), nausea, sinus problems and a general feeling of being unwell. Reactions to salicylates can be just as debilitating as an allergy even though they are not considered the same thing.

Depending on how sensitive you are to naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and amines, your reaction can vary. It can depend on your threshold, dose consumed of food high in salicylates and how regularly you have consumed food with moderate to high salicylates.

It might be comforting to know that as children get older their systems generally get better at handling naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates and amines. As food intolerance symptoms are linked to an irritation of the nervous system, we generally tend to grow out of the food problems. For adults, it can be a gradual build up along with what food we have previously put in our body that can cause food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates, amines and MSG.

Salicylates – what steps to take

If you would like to work out if you are suffering from food intolerance symptoms linked to salicylates then you will need to conduct a food elimination diet. This food challenge should be conducted over a two to three week time frame.

Food colors, food additives and preservatives are usually also a problem for those who are sensitive to naturally occurring chemicals in foods.

To reduce the impact of salicylates you best look at what is in your pantry as well as products you are using personally and around the home. Here are some steps to take:

• Eat fruit that is moderate to low in salicylates most of the time.
• Remember that you can be dose affected so be aware of those foods that are high to very high in salicylates.
• Eat fruit when it is ripe as unripened fruit is higher in salicylates.
• Stop using herbs and change your oil to safflower or sunflower oil, until you have finished your food elimination diet.
• Flavors easily go undetected. Avoid flavors such as spearmint and peppermint.
• Look at your laundry detergents as these can be scented. Same with air fresheners and cleaning goods.
• Stop wearing perfume, aftershave or deodorant that has scents that may irritate you.
• Be aware that some medications such as Asprin contain salicylates.
• Peel fruit and vegetables as salicylates can be higher just under the skin.
• Make a list of alternative products before you go shopping to make it easier to avoid things with salicylates.

Friendly Food is one of the most comprehensive books covering food intolerance symptoms and naturally occurring chemicals such as salicylates, amines, MSG and allergies. It will assist you with a food elimination diet along with The Failsafe Cookbook.

I’ll be talking more about naturally occurring chemicals, covering Amines and Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG) in future posts. I’m interested to hear your story on food intolerance symptoms or feel free to add a comment if you would like me to reply directly.

Disclaimer:

I’m no medical expert and information contained on this blog is written through my own experience. Please consult an appropriate professional about your situation.