Indirect malabsorption of minerals, carbohydrates and other nutrients:
Tannins bind with certain minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and enzymes making them less available to the body.
Such binding may decrease levels of serotonin (decreased serotonin has been found to be connected to migraines).
Tannins kill off bacteria in the gut (including friendly bacteria). Certain bacteria is necessary to absorb nutrients efficiently.
Tannins bind with certain dietary enzymes (see "Researcher figures out how tannins block nutrition.")
Tannins and other phenolics may interfere with the immune system.
Chemical sensitivities to phenolic compounds perhaps caused by:
Reaction from daily medications (birth control pills, acne medication; perhaps this is similar to reactions to drugs taken in the Gulf War.)
Soy formula as babies may set up lifelong sensitivity to phenolics
Overdoses of chemicals (insect-repellent bombs, dyes in medical procedures, etc.)
Too many phenolics in this society! Perfumes, paint fumes, cleaning product fumes, petroleum products, smokes (cigarettes, wood-burning grills, fireplaces.) Other pollution.. Food dyes, food additives, dyes in medical tests, ink and other chemicals in books and newspapers,
Connections with the
Feingold Diet (salicylates, food dyes, additives)?
Connections with sensitivities to amines?
Possible solutions:
Avoid as many tannin and phenolic compounds as possible in the diet and in the environment
Add proline supplements to the diet (tannins strongly bind with proline -- if the tannins bind with the proline, perhaps they are less likely to bind with other nutrients)
Increase carbohydrate consumption to increase utilizable serotonin levels
Last updated Tuesday, January 08, 2002