If you suffer from a malaise that is difficult to source, it could be that you have a food sensitivity, which is different from a food allergy.
A true allergy is easy to spot. Known as an IgE reaction, there is an often immediate reaction ranging from hives, to swelling, to anaphylaxis. We probably know one or more friends who react this way to peanuts or shellfish.
A food sensitivity, or IgG reaction, can be delayed and more sneaky! One could eat a piece of bread or cheese and not have a symptom for one, two, or even three days later. Symptoms can be a range of GI disturbances like nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and acid reflux. But it can also affect every body system, not just those related to digestion. One might experience eczema, allergies, asthma, headaches, rashes, brain fog, or aches and pains in any region of the body.
The good news is, your doctor can investigate food sensitivities with a simple blood test and get you feeling better quickly.
What happens if you continue to eat foods that you are sensitive to?
Your immune system must continuously fight back, and you could develop a leaky gut or increased intestinal permeability. The cells that line your intestines are your barrier to the outside world and this barrier is only one cell thick! If this thin lining is damaged, food particles, fungus, and bacteria can invade the blood stream where the body attacks them as foreign invaders. This weakens the immune system and can lead to chronic infections such as frequent colds and flus, ear infections in kids, or chronic sinus problems.
Did you get ear infections often as a kid?
If yes, you might have had a food sensitivity that was never diagnosed. Adults in this situation may outgrow their ear infections, but develop other chronic conditions if the food in question is still part of their regular diet. But no fear! A simple blood test will help sort out what foods you need to stay away from! And if your child is getting frequent ear infections, please consider taking them to a naturopath for food sensitivity testing.
Leaky gut, leaky blood-brain barrier
Your brain and nervous system are highly protected. However, if these foreign proteins and other invaders get into your central nervous system it can lead to an inflammatory process in your brain that is hard to shut off. Research shows a link between leaky gut syndrome and the potential to develop a leaky blood-brain barrier.
If you are experiencing a lot of neurological symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and poor memory, you could have an inflammation in your brain.
Be good to yourself, get tested
It is simple, and obviously important, to discover foods you are sensitive to and remove them from your diet. Chronic inflammation, which may be caused by these foods, appear to be at the root of most of America’s major illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, autoimmune disease, and dementia.
An easy way to take a step towards whole body health: talk with our naturopathic physicians Dr. Laura Wollman or Dr. Alison Schulz, get tested, and then sign up for the two week Mind-Body Cleanse starting January 11th where a diet change can be made easier because you’ll be doing it with others, just like you. Our nutritionist Brittany Sandoval and meditation therapist Kat Lui will be with you, every step of the way.
Interested? Call us, we’re happy to help. 503-288-7668. A complimentary 15 minute consultation with any of Root’s practitioners is available to get all your questions answered.