Food Poisoning is a common illness, which is caused by eating contaminated foods, that affects millions of Americans every year.  Food can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites, all of which can easily cause Food Poisoning.  Typically, vomiting and diarrhea are associated with Food Poisoning, but they tend to be short-lived and resolve on their own.  It's important to know that Food Poisoning and the Flu are not the same.  Symptoms may be similar, but the way the illnesses are contracted are different. 

If you contract a food-borne organism, there is a chance that it will be symptom-free.  You may only experience mild intestinal discomfort, but you can also have severe dehydration or bloody diarrhea.  Most food poisoning symptoms will reveal themselves not too long after ingesting the toxin. 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal Pain or Cramps
• Weakness
• Headaches

The causes of Food Poisoning can vary and can be classified by the symptoms one experiences.  The contamination of food can begin during production, growing, processing, storing, shipping, or preparing.  Cross-contamination is usually the reason for food-borne pathogens.  Most Food Poisoning cases can be traced to three reasons: bacteria, viruses, and parasites, all of which can be the culprits of E. coli, listeria, and salmonella.  Other causes include:

• Mold, Toxins, and Contaminants
• Allergens
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Bacteria

Chemical Causes:

• Scromboid Poisoning (usually due to poorly cooked or stored fish)
• Ciguatera Poisoning (another fish toxin that you get from eating barracuda, snapper, or grouper)
• Mushroom Infection 

• Disease causing bacteria are commonly found meat, seafood, and dairy products.  Although there have been contaminations melons, lettuce, and a few other fruits and vegetables, bacteria is less likely to be in raw foods. Eliminating meat, seafood, and dairy from you diet can help avoid Food Poisoning.  
• It's important to properly store and wash your foods prior to consuming them.  Proper refrigeration can prevent bacteria from developing and washing the food can clean it of other viruses or parasites.
• Apple cider vinegar is a great natural remedy for Food Poisoning.  It has an alkalizing effect when ingested and can help soothe gastrointestinal lining, kill bacteria, and provide relief from Food Poisoning symptoms.  Mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and drink this before consuming a meal. Additionally, you can drink 2-3 teaspoons of undiluted apple cider vinegar to help relieve symptoms. 
• Staying hydrated is important because dehydration is a symptom of Food Poisoning.  The recommended amount of water to drink is eight 8oz. glasses per day.  Another good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.  If you weigh 150lbs then you should drink 75oz of water per day. 
• Lemon has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties that kill bacteria, which cause Food Poisoning.  To help clear out your system, mix the juice of 1 lemon with a cup of warm water.  
• Keep your environment clean.  Since you contracted Food Poisoning via a virus, bacteria, or parasite, it's important to keep your surroundings clean to avoid coming in contact or infected with other bacteria. 

• Ginger
• Lemon
• Basil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Fenugreek Seeds
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Bananas
• Herbal Teas
• Raw Organic Honey