If there is one thing I have learned from my time here at Simple, it is that Dr. Sam believes in our bodies. Our body is our partner and protector! When we understand the ingredients our body needs, we can thrive. We can thrive by eating nutrient dense foods that make us feel healthy, energized, and fueled. Sometimes, however, the foods we think are healthy in fact might be something we are allergic or sensitive to. Getting tested for food intolerances allows us to find the most effective way to feed our bodies so we are able to achieve our goals in our wellness, in our professional lives, and in our social lives.
Learning how each one of our bodies processes different types of food is vital to our individual health and wellbeing. With many diets swimming around like Keto, Whole30, Paleo, etc., how can we figure out the one that is best for our body types or activity levels? Patients come in to the office frequently experiencing bloating, stomach aches, fatigue, diarrhea, stuffy nose, sneezing, and coughing. The reason for these kinds of symptoms could be a food allergy or sensitivity to something we consume every day. Knowing which kinds of food helps our body thrive through work and school could be a game changer for our health.
After testing their blood chemistry, Dr. Durland finds that these symptoms are often correlated with a food allergy or food sensitivity. If you are wondering about the difference between food allergies and food sensitivities look below for a crash course!
Let us begin with the basics:
Food intolerances are an increase in antibodies to fight off what is perceived as a foreign substance. So, what is an antibody? An antibody is a protein that your immune system makes that roams around in your body and attaches to an antigen (a foreign substance) and attacks it.
Food Allergy
When you consume a food that you are allergic to, it can lead to an immediate reaction within the body, such as nausea, skin rash, or stomach cramp. In the most extreme cases, you may experience anaphylaxis. Your body’s allergic reaction is associated with an increase in the antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
Food Sensitivity
When you consume a food that contains ingredients your body is sensitive to, there may be a delay in symptoms from hours to days. This reaction is associated with an antibody called immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgG levels increase and as a result, you may begin to have diarrhea, belching, a runny nose, and skin reactions.
Here is the wild thing – since food allergies and food sensitivities are detected by two different types of antibodies, you can be allergic to a food, but not sensitive to it, or vice versa. Or you could be allergic and sensitive to a food. If you want a comprehensive result as to why you are not feeling well, it is most beneficial to be tested for both sensitivities and allergies.
At Simple, we utilize Vibrant America, a functional lab that tests 96 different food allergies and 180 food sensitivities.
So, do not feel bad for taking extra time to reach your goals. You are on our own path. Tailoring health for the individual is the only way to success. You are amazing and your journey is the only one that matters.
So trust your body, listen to your body, and fuel your body in the most informed way.
Cheers to Joy!
Here is a link to Vibrant’s Food Allergy page if you need more info – https://www.vibrant-america.com/food-allergen/
