Kale (Photo credit: aaronlk)
Kale is a type of leafy green plant that is related to cabbage. It has green or purple leaves that diflucan usa are crinkled on the edges and lacks a central head. Kale is traditionally a comfort food and has found a home in many southern American style restaurants and cookbooks.
Kale is very high in several important vitamins and minerals including beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, Lutein and calcium. It also contains sulforaphane, a chemical that is known for having strong anti-cancer properties. Certain cooking techniques, such as boiling, can reduce the amount of sulforaphane in the Kale, so steaming, microwaving and stir frying are recommended.
During the middle ages, Kale was a popular source of nutrients in Europe. The plant did not gain popularity in America until World War II when it was grown in home gardens to help replace vital nutrients lost to food rationing. Some varieties of Kale can be grown in the early winter, making it a popular choice for farmers in cooler climates.
Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate Kale. Kale allergies can be severe and like other food allergies, potentially life-threatening depending on the severity. If you eat Kale and experience a tingling, itching sensation in your lips, mouth or throat, you may be allergic to the leafy green vegetable. Swelling of these areas is another telltale sign.
Read more about Kale allergy symptoms and other allergies at food-allergydata.com
More severe reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes and itching. Wheezing, shortness of breath, fainting and dizziness that develop soon after consuming Kale are yet more signs of a severe allergy. Reactions that impede your breathing may lead to anaphylactic shock, which is uncommon but potentially fatal if not treated immediately.
If you experience any symptoms of a Kale allergy, it’s important to visit your doctor immediately. There are tests that can be performed to confirm your allergy and determine its severity. Once your doctor confirms that you do in fact have a Kale allergy, he can provide emergency medications to stop your severe reaction, or he can recommend over the counter medications to counteract a mild reaction.
Knowing you have an allergy is an important part of preventing unwanted severe reactions. Once you know you have an allergy you can carry emergency medications or take extra precautions to avoid consuming Kale. Fortunately, Kale isn’t too common of a food in public places, so the chances of encountering environmental contamination are low.
Now that you know the symptoms of a Kale allergy, you are ready to identify the problem in yourself and in others. Being aware of your allergies and actively working to avoid allergy attacks is the key to leading a healthier, more comfortable life.
