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What is the difference between food allergies and sensitivities?

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Food allergies occur when we get an immediate reaction to a food that we have eaten.  When the food enters our body, our immune system identifies the food as being harmful and initiates a chemical attack against it.  The chemicals released during this immune attack result in the allergic symptoms that we see.   Symptoms can include: anaphylactic shock and hives.

Food sensitivities occur when we get a delayed immune reaction to a food that we have eaten.  In fact, the symptoms we experience can occur 2 – 4 days after eating that particular food.  Furthermore, eating small amounts of this food may cause no reaction, while eating the food in large quantities or for many days in a row may cause symptoms.

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What symptoms and long term consequences are associated with food sensitivities?

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There are various symptoms that can result from food sensitivities.  Keep in mind that a person can experience one or a combination of these symptoms at any given time.

  • Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain
  • Nasal congestion and puffy eyes
  • Fogginess, forgetfulness, fatigue
  • Headaches, migraines
  • Skin problems such as eczema, itchy skin
  • Arthritis, joint pain
  • Frequent colds

Long term exposure to food sensitivities results in persistent stress on the immune system and low grade inflammation in the gut.  This constant inflammation may lead to a “leaky gut”.  A “leaky gut” occurs when the tight junctions holding your guts cells together are damaged and holes form between the cells.  Now, undigested food can cross through these holes into your body and cause further immune system stimulation/dysregulation and inflammation.

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Why do people get food sensitivities?

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There are a number of hypotheses regarding the cause and increased prevalence of food sensitivities.  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Genetic predisposition/inheritance
  • Poor digestion and/or a “leaky gut”
  • Antibacterial environments (our immune systems are “out of practice”)
  • Depressed immune system (infants that have not been breast fed until 6 months of age)
  • Introduction of solid foods at too young an age

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What are some common food sensitivities?

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  • Wheat
  • Dairy (milk and eggs)
  • Coffee (caffeine)
  • Peanuts and cashews
  • Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes)
  • Soy
  • Shellfish
  • Corn

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How can I find out what my food sensitivities are?

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There are a number of blood tests and/or diet challenges that you can do to determine which foods you may be sensitive to.  To determine which foods affect you or to find out more information, schedule an appointment with me today.