Marijke Helwegen’s body no longer functions properly after eating smoked mackerel. She has lost a lot of weight and she has to be careful with her shopping basket. “Intense.”
The life of 77-year-old Marijke Helwegen has been turned upside down. She has recently experienced significant weight loss. “It started with a severe allergic reaction. I had eaten a smoked mackerel that had been left for too long. Within half an hour my face was bright red. Later my whole body was covered in spots,” she says in the Party.
No fat
According to Marijke it was a histamine reaction. “Since then, I can hardly tolerate fat. There is fat in everything: butter, milk, yogurt, bread, nuts, oil. When I eat it, I immediately get a rash. So I now eat very frugally: brown beans, red lentils, rice, vegetables. No oil, no nuts, no fat. But that makes you lose weight.”
How is her weight now? Not good, she continues. “I now weigh around fifty kilos, while I should actually be around 57.”
Frustrating
Marijke has already visited many specialists, but there is no one who can do anything. “You want to know what is happening in your body. I see a dietitian and specialists, but it is frustrating.”
She concludes: “My body remembers that reaction and sounds the alarm again at everything that resembles it. It’s a nice thing to do, but it’s of no use to you.”
