Food sensitivities can manifest in the form of migraines, difficulty losing weight, acne, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, joint pain as well as many other symptoms. Food sensitivities are notoriously difficult to identify as a reaction may not occur for up to 3 days after consuming food. It is likely that most people with food sensitivities have no idea they react to a particular food.
Food sensitivities can develop as a result of a condition called leaky gut. This is where the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed which results in the breakdown of the gut barrier. Partially digested food particles escape through small spaces between the cells caused the inflammation. The immune system sees the food particles as foreign invaders and mounts an antibody attack. This leads to low grade systemic inflammation that can result in symptoms like joint pain, mood changes, rashes or an overall sense of feeling unwell.
Determining whether you have food sensitivities can be done by a simple IgG Antibody test. This should be ordered through your health care professional. Alternatively, eliminating foods from your diet and then monitoring any symptoms you note following the re-introduction of these can also guide you to whether you have a sensitivity to a particular food. Foods should be eliminated from your diet for at least 6 weeks and then re-introduced one at a time and importantly taking note of any symptoms you notice. There should be at least a three day period between the re-introduction of different foods.
The most common food sensitivities people have are from the following foods:
- Dairy - Eggs
- Soy - Wheat (gluten)
- Shellfish - Peanuts
- Tree nuts - Fish
Everybody responds differently to food sensitivities. If you think you may be suffering from a food sensitivity, try eliminating the common offenders from you diet and see how you respond.
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