Food Sensitivities and Gut Repair

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Many people complain of food allergies, but technically these common food reactions are better understood as “sensitivities.” A true food allergy causes the body to react strongly and almost immediately. It comes from a specific immune response and is often an anaphylactic reaction.

You may have food sensitives if you experience gas, bloating, diarrhea, frequent headaches, migraines, joint and muscle pain, abdominal discomfort after eating and fatigue even after you have slept. Other symptoms of food sensitivities include autoimmune, thyroid and hormone issues and skin rashes, eczema or hives as well as environmental allergies. Labile mood affect, or inappropriate mood swings, could also be evidence of specific food sensitivity.

Scientific researchers are clear that food intolerances are different from allergies and may take longer to show up in the body than allergies. There are many causes of food sensitivity here are some of the key ones:

Lack of a particular enzyme

The most common example is lactose intolerance—the enzyme that breaks down lactose is lacking. Humans stop producing this enzyme after the age of 5, so dairy isn’t easily digested by anyone and is a highly inflammatory food.

Gut damage

Various things can create damage to the gut such as dysbiosis, antibiotic use which destroy the gut flora, foods that cause inflammation in the gut like gluten, soy, corn, dairy, and sugar. Parasites and bacteria from international travel can cause gut damage as can chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, and GMO's. Toxins in skin care products, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals are also responsible for injuring the delicate microbial balance of the gut and its lining.

Other causes

The gut can be affected by stress and disconnection from nature, unresolved trauma, lack of consistent self-care like dehydration, exercise, life balance, and self-assertion. Dysfunctional sleep patterns and drinking too many stimulants like caffeine can also affect the gut lining. There is also research that shows that breastfed babies have less food intolerance than those that are not.

Luckily there are things we can do to prevent and heal food sensitivities beginning with changes to lifestyle, nutrition, and your inner emotional world. I recommend starting a focused and individualized gut repair program.

1. Begin with having a Food Reactivity and Cross-Reactivity food screening so to eliminate foods and chemicals you are intolerant of and that cause inflammation. (I prefer to use Cyrex laboratory for this.)
2. Use individualized gut repair program that includes supplements, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture and neural therapy.
3. Remove the bad guys in the gut and any infection using herbs and ozone therapies. Replace with professional pre and probiotics. Feed the good bacteria.
4. Learn relaxation tools like mindfulness practices, Qi Gong, and meditation. Schedule downtime and spend time in nature.
5. Resolve unconscious patterns of self-sabotage, trauma, and strategies of self-protection.

Consider working with someone who specializes in individualized gut repair who can empower you to heal on all levels. If you don’t get results, then find someone else. Everyone is unique and has different needs. I know your body can heal and you can thrive!