Food sensitivities are a common cause of digestive discomfort and testing for these sensitivities can allow for healing to occur and improve overall health as well as digestive symptoms.
What are Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities are delayed reactions to specific foods that are triggered by IgG antibodies.
Symptoms of Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities cause a range of symptoms throughout the body that are not just limited to the gut. Some of the symptoms are:
- Indigestion, gas, bloating
- Acid reflux/heartburn
- IBS/IBD/Crohn’s/Colitis
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Migraines/Headaches
- Mood disturbances: irritability, depression, anxiety, panic attacks
- Difficulty concentrating, “brain fog”
- Fatigue
- Cravings
- Hyperactivity/ADD/ADHD
- Skin Issues: acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, hives
- Joint and Muscle pain
- Weigh gain
- Chronic or recurrent infections
- Sinusitis
- Yeast infections
How are Food Sensitivities Tested?
Food sensitivities are tested via blood. The blood is analyzed to assess for IgG antibody production (one of two antibodies produced during a sensitivity response). IgG antibodies are produced for several hours to days after exposure to an allergen (up to 3 days). This delayed reaction explains why some symptoms are not seen right after eating a certain food.
How are Food Sensitivities Treated?
The treatment is composed of 5 essential components:
- Avoid the offending substance (food sensitivity/intolerance)
- Correct the underlying cause
- Re-inoculate the proper intestinal flora
- Heal the damaged/compromised intestinal mucosa
- Support the immune system