Understanding Food Sensitivities and Food Allergies | Episode 156

When was the last time you truly felt 100%?

Many people mistakenly believe that if they don’t have an allergic reaction to something, it’s safe for their body to consume. While this may be true for food allergies, food sensitivities can cause significant long-term damage, albeit in different ways.

This week on The Health Made Simple Show, we’re exploring one of the most common factors that hinder you from feeling your best: food sensitivities.

Watch the live show below:

Allergies vs. Sensitivities: What’s the difference?

Having a food allergy means experiencing an IGE reaction, while a sensitivity is an IGG reaction. Allergies/IGE reactions typically occur immediately (think of an anaphylactic reaction), happening almost instantly. Sensitivity symptoms, on the other hand, can take up to 72 hours to manifest as an immune response, making it challenging to identify what our bodies are rejecting.

Common symptoms of food sensitivities include acne/skin issues, weight gain, bloating, digestive upset, joint pain, low energy, anxiety, and depression. Many people mistake their food sensitivities for other conditions like allergies or skin problems. It’s possible to experience food sensitivities even if your body hasn’t absorbed the food. For example, if you’re struggling with leaky gut, food particles leak into places they shouldn’t, disrupting the microbiome and triggering an autoimmune response.

Overcoming Food Sensitivities:

Fortunately, there are a couple of strategies you can employ to determine if you’re dealing with food sensitivities:

1. Testing: A simple blood test, done by pricking your finger, can identify an IGG reaction in your body. You can purchase simple tests for home use or opt for more comprehensive and expensive tests that measure zonulin, a protein that affects the permeability of your digestive tract (which can indicate leaky gut).
2. Elimination diet: To understand which foods are wreaking havoc on your system, start by eliminating common reactive foods. You should eliminate these foods for at least four weeks and then gradually reintroduce them one at a time in larger quantities. Foods that trigger reactions should be permanently removed from your diet.

Ready to reclaim that 100% feeling and overcome your food sensitivities? Here are my top recommendations for a fast turnaround:

• Begin your elimination diet by eliminating gluten, dairy, and eggs, as these are the most common trigger foods.
• Struggling to determine if you have a food sensitivity or not? Consider maintaining a food journal to keep track of your diet details. Apps like MyFitnessPal make it convenient to monitor your food intake on your phone.
• Notice that your body reacts differently to the same foods at times? Investigate the quality of your food sources. Sometimes, it’s not the type of food itself, but rather its quality that matters.
• Ensure your stomach acid levels are sufficient for proper food breakdown and to prevent leaky gut. Regularly using digestive enzyme supplements like Enzycore can support a healthy gut.

As always, I will also share my top clinical insights of the week. Tune in to find out when I don’t recommend L-Glutamine and discover my recommended supplements for those embarking on a gut-healing journey.

And remember, don’t miss The Health Made Simple Show, broadcasting live on Tuesday nights at 6 PM Central Time, where you’ll have the opportunity to get your questions answered.

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Medically reviewed and written by:

Dr. Bart Precourt

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