Pseudo-allergies and food intolerances

Knee Athletes can be intolerant to several food elements; most frequently biogenic amines such as histamine and tyramine and the sugars fructose and/or lactose.

Tyramine and histamine are biogenic amines which may affect the flexibility (dilatation and contraction) of the blood vessels and, hence, the blood circulation. If the blood circulation is reduced, less food elements and oxygen are supplied, as well as other factors required for a quick recovery. Also waste materials such as CO2 and lactic acid are removed less efficiently.

Consequences of pseudo-allergies

Pseudo-allergies can lead to inflammations in the connective tissue, which forms the structure of muscles and tendons. They always affect the most sensitive places in the body. If the inflammation becomes chronic, you will get problems with bone development and calcium absorption: and that is absolutely not good for sports performance. A lack of calcium lowers the bone density and reduces the muscle contraction, which is required for sports.

Other weak spots include tendon connections, which may result in knee and back problems. In this case, strain leads to injury.

But pseudo-allergic reactions can also lead to other symptoms. Because, for example, histamine is transported through the blood and can therefore also reach other organs, several symptoms may occur in different places in the body. There are lots of examples: gastrointestinal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea, joint pains, muscle pain or long-term muscle recovery, disturbed sleep possibly with night sweats, asthma and shortness of breath, blood pressure fluctuations, palpitations, fluid retention, runny nose or sneezing, itchy skin, headache, concentration problems, irritability, fibrosis, osteoporosis and bone pain. These reactions usually occur together with a feeling of tiredness.

Pseudo-allergies and biogenic amines

Cycling Histamine plays a role in the contraction of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and the gastrointestinal tract.

Some persons react to some food products, other display reactions following a combination of different food products in the same meal or during the same day.

Other triggers include great efforts or warming up, heat and cold. The triggers to which a person responds are different for each individual.

Certain enzymes in the gut wall and liver make sure the biogenic amines are neutralised. If the histamine synthesis in our body increased (in case of stress, premenstrual syndrome, ...) these enzymes may find it difficult to process the total amount of biogenic amines. That is why female athletes are more tired around their period, when the histamine breaks down less easily. Some allergic people become extra sensitive to food products which release histamine during “difficult” seasons (pollen in spring and summer and yeast in winter). Also when they have an infection the reactions will be more numerous or stronger. So, it is important for athletes to avoid food triggers during certain periods.

Pseudo-allergies and food intolerances in athletes

Several athletes who suffered tiredness or did not recover well after their performance have come to see me. Many of them turned out to suffer from pseudo-allergies and/or food intolerance. The items below are based on these findings.

Stress in athletes

Pasta Due to stress caused by training and competitions dysbiosis (bad intestinal flora) sometimes affects sportspeople. A good intestinal flora is indispensable for an efficient absorption of vitamins and minerals (antioxidants) which are essential to neutralise harmful substances generated through exercise (free radicals). If pseudo-allergies are added to this, the vitamin and mineral reserve gets even more depleted. All this can lead to tiredness, reduced performance, bad recovery of injuries and additional health problems.

Pseudo-allergic reactions and intolerance

Pseudo-allergic reactions can appear after eating or even 12 to 24 hours after the meal and that means that symptoms can occur the next night or the following day. Due to this retarded reaction the symptoms are often not seen as related to the food product which triggered the reaction. This may cause chronic problems such as difficult recovery or chronic fatigue ...
Some athletes have intolerance reactions when they use large quantities of fructose and/or lactose. These sugars should normally be split up during the digestion and are then absorbed in the blood. Some sportspeople have a lack of the lactase enzyme or have a problem with the transport of fructose in the small intestine. This causes undigested sugars to be transported to the colon, where they are fermented by the bacterial flora. This may lead to flatulence, cramps, nausea, bloated feeling, diarrhoea and headache.

Sportspeople also have to avoid food products which may lead to dehydration. Dehydration implies inadequate muscle recovery and muscle damage.

Be careful with food supplements!

Always consult an expert before compensating certain lacks by means of food supplements. Every metabolism is different and high doses may be harmful.

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