First of all, food sensitivities are real and your symptoms are not in your head!
As a naturopathic doctor, I often see patients with digestive concerns. There are a variety of different ways our bodies can react to the food that we are eating. Whenever we are working together, my job is to help you identify any foods that may be contributing to your symptoms. Let’s break down the top three reactions:
1 - FOOD INTOLERANCE:
An intolerance involves difficulty digesting a food that leads to digestive symptoms such as gas and bloating. Can include enzyme deficiencies such as lactose or alpha galactosidase or a sensitivity to chemicals such as salicylate. This is common in people who have trouble breaking down milk, beans, broccoli or cabbage. This type of reaction involves the digestive system and not the immune system. With the right type of enzyme, we should be able to resolve these symptoms.
2 – FOOD ALLERGY:
This type of reaction is an immediate response (within minutes) to an ingested food. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: itch, throat, tongue and lip swelling, watery eyes, difficulty breathing and tingling in the extremities. It is generally not dose dependent. An allergy involves the immune system (IgE & histamine response – type 1 hypersensitivity). This would be what an allergist tests with a skin prick test.
3 – FOOD SENSITIVITY:
A sensitivity is a delayed response which can sometimes take days to develop symptoms. The immune system recognizes a particular food as a foreign body. Symptoms may include but are not limited to: changes to bowel movements, bloating, fatigue, rashes and mood changes. Contributing factors include a disrupted immune system, abnormal gut flora, low stomach acid, and pancreatic enzyme deficiencies. This reaction also involves the immune system (IgG response –type 3 hypersensitivity). Sensitivities can be the most difficult to identify due to the delayed and dosed dependent nature.
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Disclaimer: Any information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in place of professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care practitioner with any questions or health concerns you may have.
