How change of food can make you better (NEWS)

Milk, eggs and gluten are the three top foods that trigger delayed allergic reactions among Hong Kongers and avoiding them would enhance their health.

A Hong Kong BioTek poll of 1,053 people found milk affected 48 percent, eggs, 46 percent and gluten, 18 percent.

Also near the top of the list of offending foods were soybeans and kidney beans which people with eczema, sinusitis, fatigue, constipation, depression, diarrhoea or migraine should avoid.

Nearly 90 percent of 147 medical perfessionals surveyed believe eliminating such products from the daily diet is the most effective method of overcoming food allergies, a BioTek spokeswoman said.

Tsang Ka-wai's daughter, Oi-ching, had been throwing up mild three times a day since she was a baby. Every time they went out, the parents had to bring an extra set of clothes for her to change into.

Tsang had consulted Western and Chinese doctors over the years, but the situation did not imporve.

When Oi-ching turned three, Tsang found Dr Sophie Leung Suk-fong, a pediatrician who submitted the girl to a food allergy test that pinpointed the foods causing the delayed allergic reactions.

Eggs and milk were found to be offending foods for Oi-ching, along with peanuts, honey and tuna.

The doctor suggested avoiding them immediately and within a month, there was less vomiting.

It has now been more than a year and Tsang is slowly allowing his daughter to incorporate milk and eggs into her diet.

"Once offending foods and identified, they should be eliminated completely from one's diet for at least a year,' Leung said.

"Only then can the foods be slowly incorporated back into the diet, but in small amounts about once a week."

She added:"Of course, diet change is not the only thing to consider,"suggesting medicine and vitamins to strengthen the immune system.

"Eliminating foods such as milk, red meat or eggs will not interfere with balanced diet. There are many alternatives."

The common symptoms, she said, are skin rashes, eczema, sinusitis, fatigue, gas bloating, headache, migraine and constipation.

Leung encouraged those with health problems or allergies to assume a traditional Chinese diet with fewer eggs and less milk.

The study was conducted between January last year and June. Respondents included 147 medical professionals.