When you don't have insurance, you study ways to find out what you need, which is how I came across this interesting tip that you can do at home. It's a simple sensitivity test, a home "Food Allergy" test if you will. Did you know that when you consume something that your body has sensitivity to, your body reacts by releasing histamines triggered by that particular food and then in turn your body's adrenal glands react by releasing cortisol (an anti-inflammatory hormone) which "runs to the rescue", so to speak.
What that means, in very basic layman's terms is that Trigger Foods = a measurable increase in your Pulse rate.
The Coca's Pulse Test was developed by an Allergist
Here's How to Test yourself (or a Loved One)
Some of the symptoms of food allergies/sensitivity include: Chronic Migraines, sinus infections, digestive upsets, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, eczema, headaches, tension, etc. You might be surprised at the cause of your recent growing fatigue, high bloods pressure and inexplicable weight gain.
1. Sit down, get comfortable and just breathe a few deep controlled breaths. Then, Take your pulse on your wrist for a full 60 Seconds, (NOT with your thumb). Be sure you take the full 60 seconds, don't cheat and do it for 20 and multiply, etc, Literally count your pulse for a full Sixty Seconds and jot the number down.
2. Get to your feet (Yes, just stand up) and stand there for 15-30 seconds.
3. While standing, take your pulse for another 60 seconds (just like the first time) and jot that number down.
2. Get to your feet (Yes, just stand up) and stand there for 15-30 seconds.
3. While standing, take your pulse for another 60 seconds (just like the first time) and jot that number down.
Compare your two
Here's How to Determine Which Food (or Item) is Causing the Sensitivity
This can actually be a rather lengthy process, but let me give you a heads up... the foods we crave the MOST are most often the ones that cause sensitivities and allergy reactions. So .. if you're suddenly craving a certain food be sure to test THAT item first.
1. Prior to eating anything (best case scenario 1-2 hours prior!), sit down, relax and take a couple deep controlled breaths. Take your pulse as directed above- for the full 60 seconds and note the number.
2 . Just Prior to eating (meaning, it's just about on the table and you're about to chow down any minute) take your pulse again for another 60 seconds, jot down the number.
3. Take a Single bite of a food you suspect to be a trigger food. It's much easier to narrow
4. With the food item STILL in your mouth, take your pulse for another 60 seconds (but don't swallow the item just yet!) and then jot the number down.
2 . Just Prior to eating (meaning, it's just about on the table and you're about to chow down any minute) take your pulse again for another 60 seconds, jot down the number.
3. Take a Single bite of a food you suspect to be a trigger food. It's much easier to narrow
4. With the food item STILL in your mouth, take your pulse for another 60 seconds (but don't swallow the item just yet!) and then jot the number down.
If your blood type is O and your pulse increased by more than 5 beats, Or if your blood type is not O but increased by more than 6 beats, you most likely have a sensitivity to that food (and at this point, you might want to spit it out).
If you're pulse did not increase or increased by just a beat or two than it's not a trigger food for you at all.
It's best to wait at least an hour in between tests to accurately determine the triggers and narrow them down. Keep a food diary or log of your results so you can track any reactions or sensitivities you encounter with each trigger food.
This can also be used to test sensitivities to Environmental allergens such as Laundry detergents,
Things that can Affect Results - as long as a person is not suffering from the items below, it is safe to assume that a measurable increase in pulse is in fact an allergic reaction.
- Sunburn
- Infections or Colds
Resources: You can read more about The Pulse Test by Dr. Arthur Coca, MD
Once you narrow down trigger foods you can either choose to avoid them altogether or you can visit an allergist and be tested directly for those particular allergens, thereby saving money from multiple appointments.
Additional Disclaimer for SUE Happy Peeps:
I'm actually saddened that I have to add this COMMON SENSE Disclaimer, but if you KNOW you have an allergy to something, do not "test" this particular food item at home. Example- if you have a Peanut allergy DO NOT EAT PEANUTS. (duh, right?) Should you ever experience a reaction that feels scary, induces hives or any signs of anaphylactic shock (such as itchy rash, swelling of lips or throat,
I'm actually saddened that I have to add this COMMON SENSE Disclaimer, but if you KNOW you have an allergy to something, do not "test" this particular food item at home. Example- if you have a Peanut allergy DO NOT EAT PEANUTS. (duh, right?) Should you ever experience a reaction that feels scary, induces hives or any signs of anaphylactic shock (such as itchy rash, swelling of lips or throat,
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