Symptoms of an allergy can vary from person to person. 92 <strong>JO</strong> <strong>LEE</strong> SUMMER 2007
YOU ARE WHAT YOU ATE YOU’LL BECOME WHAT YOU EAT By Andrea Buckett Doctor of Homeopathy Toronto - Ontario Andrea Buckett, Dr. of Homeopathy, lecturer, writer, renowned food expert – is passionate about helping people live into their nineties and feeling like 52! Yes, she’s jumpstarted the most exciting nutritional adventures. She is a graduate of The Homeopathic College of Canada and her private practice today is a sole focus on the body’s benefits and pleasures of great food. Q: Dear Andrea, I am celiac so I must abstain from foods that contain gluten. My question is: am I alone in this food intolerance or do all people have food allergies to some degree? Gail – Toronto, Canada. AB: You are not alone, Gail. Many people do have either food allergies or intolerance to certain foods. The most common culprits today are wheat, dairy, citrus fruits and sugar. Many no longer recognize their symptoms as a problem, because they have put up with them for so long. Symptoms of an allergy or intolerance can vary from person to person but may include hives, eczema, asthma, aches and pains, moodiness and lethargy. It is not until the food culprit is eliminated from the diet for some time and then reintroduced that the person becomes aware of how much vitality the food is robbing them. Many Naturopathic Doctors can test you for what your body is responding negatively towards. One such test is MSA or Meridian Stress Assessment. Q: I was thinking about doing a juice fast. What are the best juices to drink and when is the best time to start. Akashi – Victoria, Hong Kong. AB: A juice fast is best to begin in moderate weather, such as Spring or Fall. A juice fast is wonderful for giving your body a chance to rest and detoxify while still being nourished. Some of the best juices to include are fresh vegetable juices. Beet is great as it helps purify the blood and support the liver; also high in antioxidants it protects the body from free radical damage. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage and watercress contain plant compounds that help neutralize and release harmful toxins in the body. All green vegetables contain chlorophyll that helps reduce acidity in the body and rebuild tissue. Ginger is great juiced as it helps promote blood flow and has the ability to boost the body’s immune system. Fruits such as apples, pears and lemons are also a great addition and with help - sweeten up those sometime bitter vegetable juices. Q: In recent travels, I saw a package of coffee that had a FAIR TRADE logo on it. What does that mean? Lachlan - Reykjavik, Iceland. AB: FAIR TRADE is an international method of doing business that is based on dialogue, transparency and respect. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions for producers and workers in developing countries. The FAIR TRADE system is structured to produce fair compensation for products and labor, sustainable environmental practices, better social services and it invests in local economic infrastructure. Crops that are common to the FAIR TRADE system include cocoa, coffee, sugar, quinoa, tea, bananas and mangoes – many are also organic. Prior to FAIR TRADE - many farmers were at the mercy of unscrupulous trade practices which made it difficult for workers to provide the basic necessities for their families. SUMMER 2007 <strong>JO</strong> <strong>LEE</strong> 93