Increasing Incidence of Food Sensitivities

There is an Increasing Incidence of Food Sensitivities now a days. We often use terms like Allergies, Sensitivities and Intolerances  interchangeably but in reality all are different. These terms define a particular type of reaction by the body against any antigen. Antigen is a particle which trigger Boyd’s immune system to initiate action against it by forming antibodies. 

 

Food Allergies

With Food allergy we mean to say there is antibody response to a certain food or food component. Most of times it is protein component of food like gluten, lectins or casein which triggers an immune response. Our Immune system treat these particles as threat and releases histamines. Histamine release causes symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, mucous production, airway constriction, itching and/or rashes. [Study]

 

Food Intolerances

Food intolerance is lack of certain enzymes or substrate required to process or metabolise a particular food or particle such as Lactose or Gluten intolerance.  If Lactase enzyme is absent then its difficult to digest the lactose contained in milk. It can give reactions like diarrhoea, gas or indigestion. The intolerance is easy to detect and avoiding that particular food resolves the issue. [Study]

 

Food Sensitivities 

The main reason behind Food sensitivities is known to be Leaky Gut syndrome. Stomach produces HCL and pepsin which breakdown the food into smaller particles. The partially digested food then passes to smaller intestine. The pancreatic enzymes and bile convert different food forms into simpler form for assimilation.

Low stomach acid or low pancreatic enzymes interferes with optimal digestion. Food stays in intestine for longer time which causes putrefication. The presence of pathogenic microbes plus putrefying food causes damage to intestinal lining leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

With destruction in epithelial lining the undigested food especially proteins have higher chances to pass into the blood stream. Body perceive it as a antigen or unidentified particle and initiate an immune response by producing antibodies against it. This cascade lead to developing and immune response to a certain food group or particle. Most of sensitivities we develop are usually  proteins contained in foods such as gluten in wheat. This is known as gluten sensitivity and not gluten tolerance. 

 

Characteristics of Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities neither give instant reactions by release of histamines nor you get symptoms of intolerance. The Symptoms are usually systemic because of mediation through different set of antibodies. Food sensitivities are like under flame working silently, with no possible visible reactions.

They are harder to detect and the effects develop gradually over time. They are the main underlying causes of many chronic health issues. The symptoms can range from headaches, migraines, joint pains, inflammation to brain fog, mild or moderate stomach issues and immunity issues developed over time.

All the modern world chronic issues are known to have some sort of connection to Food sensitivities. There are few IgG Food antibodies test to rule out any food sensitivities present in an individual. This kind of testing proves to be very helpful when dealing with chronic issues of unknown origin and Autoimmune disease also. 

 

Stress and Digestion

Stress interferes with digestion because of overactive sympathetic system. It causes suppression of acid and enzyme release. Processed food change the intestinal flora leading to bacterial overgrowth.

This bacterial overgrowth causes leaky gut. Undigested food particles makes their way into system through leaky gut. The body develop antibodies to that particular food considering as a potential threat. The Antibodies produced by our immune system causes food sensitivity. The ever increasing antibody load leads to hyperactive immune system.

The lower the diversity of your intestinal microbiome, increasingly incidence of food sensitivities over time. If you are suffering with the conditions mentioned above we can help you find the root cause and help you overcome any health issues associated with food sensitivities or intolerance.

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