Pulse rate and Food Allergy

[dulaney0330]

The past several weeks I have experienced several symptoms that may be food allergies (faster pulse rate, acne on chin, itchiness and tightening of throat).

I did a lot of research on the topic and found that one self-test includes taking one's baseline pulse, eating a suspected allergic food, and then taking one's pulse 3-4 times during the hour. If a food raises the pulse rate by 10 beats, you are allergic to that food.

So far, two food items: Amy's organic low sodium chili and whole wheat/natural peanut butter/natural blueberry jam has caused my pulse rate to climb by 10 beats.

Thing is, how reliable is this? Does sodium and sugar naturally cause one's pulse rate to climb?

I have tested my foods today and only those two items above caused my pulse rate to increase by 10 beats.

Any thoughts?

*Note: I will get allergy tested in the future but right now I am still in the long process of getting health insurance. It might be 6months before I get on a plan and I would like to give my future doctor a lot more information to work with.

[russianrocket]

If you suspect that a specific food is something you are allergic to, your pulse will raise just because of that thought. So I doubt that test is even close to being conclusive.

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

If you suspect that a specific food is something you are allergic to, your pulse will raise just because of that thought. So I doubt that test is even close to being conclusive.

That is what I thought to but I suspected the apple/almond milk would raise my pulse but it did not.

Of course, I would like to try these foods for a week to feel more confident.

Any other thoughts?

[Tigerlily]

Hmm I'm not sure about that. Pulse will be altered throughout the day due to normal fluctuations in catecholamines, insulin and activity. For example, after eating a very large meal it's not uncommon to break a sweat and have mild tachycardia (fast pulse). This is because your insulin shoots up to deal with the glucose, glucose crashes down, then adrenaline is secreted to releases glucose stores and help stabilise glucose levels again. This same process can happen more subtly depending on the what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat etc..

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by Tigerlily

Hmm I'm not sure about that. Pulse will be altered throughout the day due to normal fluctuations in catecholamines, insulin and activity. For example, after eating a very large meal it's not uncommon to break a sweat and have mild tachycardia (fast pulse). This is because your insulin shoots up to deal with the glucose, glucose crashes down, then adrenaline is secreted to releases glucose stores and help stabilise glucose levels again. This same process can happen more subtly depending on the what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat etc..

Yeah, I was thinking that too. I think that is why you have a baseline and then an "allowance" of 8-9 beats over.

I'll keep you guys posted on the rest of the week.

I took my pulse rate this morning when I woke up and it was 52!

[dulaney0330]

Well, after 2 additional days, I may be onto something.

Amy's organic chili, again, raised my pulse rate and I experienced itchiness all over.

I looked back in my food diary and noted that the last time I ate the chili, my rate increased the same amount as today.

I suspect it's either: tofu or soybeans. But I am leaning toward soybeans because of my previous breakout when I ate blueberry pie made with soybean oil.

Thing is, why now? Soy allergies typically end with childhood..still not sure why I have developed it..if it is soy.

My husband drinks soy milk so I will test that in 48 hours.

Its exciting to feel like a food detective!

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by dulaney0330

Well, after 2 additional days, I may be onto something.

Amy's organic chili, again, raised my pulse rate and I experienced itchiness all over.

I looked back in my food diary and noted that the last time I ate the chili, my rate increased the same amount as today.

I suspect it's either: tofu or soybeans. But I am leaning toward soybeans because of my previous breakout when I ate blueberry pie made with soybean oil.

Thing is, why now? Soy allergies typically end with childhood..still not sure why I have developed it..if it is soy.

My husband drinks soy milk so I will test that in 48 hours.

Its exciting to feel like a food detective!

Might as well take this as an excuse to stop consuming soy. It's not soy good for you

[dulaney0330]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Might as well take this as an excuse to stop consuming soy. It's not soy good for you

hehe, definitely. It is hard, though because soy is in so much and I love my desserts.

It's annoying though because some say soy is good and then its bad. I guess its like for everything but at least, I think, its not too healthy for me.

Do you eat soy never or rarely?

Thanks for coming to my thread!