Could Food Sensitivities Be the Hidden Cause of Your Health Issues?

Understanding Food Sensitivities and Allergies

Food sensitivities and food allergies can be confusing topics, especially when trying to understand the differences between the two and how they may impact our health and that of our families. While true food allergies may be on the rise, they are still relatively rare. Food sensitivities are far more common and can develop at any stage of life, particularly during periods of prolonged stress.

In my nutrition practice, working with women at all stages of life, I frequently encounter clients experiencing chronic health symptoms that remain unexplained despite medical investigations. Symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, digestive discomfort, acne, eczema, psoriasis, anxiety, and depression can significantly affect daily life, and the absence of an obvious pattern can be frustrating. In many cases, food sensitivity testing can serve as the missing puzzle piece, helping individuals move forward with their health and finally start feeling better.

In this discussion, I will clarify the differences between food allergies and sensitivities, explain food reaction testing and who may benefit from it as well as explore the common causes of food sensitivities, and provide insight into how to start healing from food sensitivities

The Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

Traditionally, medicine has primarily recognised food allergies, also known as IgE antibody reactions. However, scientific research has evolved to recognise both IgE (allergic) and IgG (non-allergic sensitivity) antibody responses, both of which can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Our reactions to foods are highly individualised—what one person tolerates, another may react negatively to. This variation is due to differences in immune system function, environmental factors, and genetics.

Our immune system produces different antibody reactions in response to substances it perceives as threats. These include:

• IgE: Responsible for allergic reactions.

• IgA: Found in mucous membranes (throat, nose, mouth, vagina).

• IgD: Activates B immune cells to help defend the body.

• IgG: The most common antibody, associated with food sensitivities.

• IgM: Provides short-term protection against common viruses like colds.

While multiple antibodies may be tested for, the most commonly used in food reaction testing are IgE (allergic reactions) and IgG (sensitivities).

What is a True IgE Food Allergy?

IgE food allergies are relatively rare but can be severe or even life-threatening. Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, milk, and eggs. These allergies can cause symptoms such as:

• Anaphylaxis

• Skin reactions (hives, itching, swelling)

• Breathing difficulties

• Heart complications

• Nausea and vomiting

IgE allergic reactions occur almost immediately, usually within an hour or two of exposure.

What is an IgG Food Sensitivity?

Unlike IgE allergies, IgG sensitivities are much more common, accounting for around 75% of all antibody reactions. These reactions are delayed hypersensitivity responses, making it difficult to pinpoint triggers. Symptoms may appear hours or even days after consuming a problem food and can include:

• Digestive issues: Diarrhea, constipation, bloating and tummy pain

• Headaches or migraines

• Nasal congestion and chronic sinus infections

• Joint pain, fatigue, and general body aches

• Skin issues such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis

• Anxiety and depression

  
  

When a food sensitivity occurs, the immune system treats the food as a threat, leading to inflammation. Over time, this results in the production of IgG antibodies against that specific food. A food sensitivity can develop to any type of food, healthy or unhealthy. Its not uncommon for me to see a client who has a food sensitivity test showing antigens to foods such as herbs, spices, meats, fish, as well as the more common wheat, gluten, dairy and eggs.

What Causes Food Sensitivities?

Food sensitivities can be a "chicken and egg" situation—one of the main causes is leaky gut syndrome, but food sensitivities themselves can also contribute to leaky gut.

Leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions in the gut lining become too loose, allowing food particles, toxins, and bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger immune responses and contribute to systemic inflammation.

Courtesy of: Czarnik, W.; Fularski, P.; Gajewska, A.; Jakubowska, P.; Uszok, Z.; Młynarska, E.; Rysz, J.; Franczyk, B. The Role of Intestinal Microbiota and Diet as Modulating Factors in the Course of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Nutrients 2024, 16, 308. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020308

Common Risk Factors for Leaky Gut

1. Chronic Stress: Prolonged stress impacts digestive function, reducing digestive enzyme secretion and leading to improper food breakdown. This increases the risk of undigested proteins irritating the gut wall.

2. Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Harmful toxins such as household mold, pesticides on food, microplastics, and heavy metals can contribute to gut damage and increased permeability.

3. Poor Diet Choices: A diet high in sugar, processed foods, and alcohol can weaken the gut lining and contribute to an imbalance in gut microbiota, further affecting gut permeability.

4. Hormonal Changes in Life Stages: Peri-menopause and menopause can lead to increased food sensitivities and leaky gut, due to shifts in progesterone and estrogen levels. These hormonal changes can impact gut bacteria balance and overall digestive health.

Other Causes of Food Sensitivities

While leaky gut is a major contributor, food sensitivities can also develop independently. Some key factors include:

• Genetic Susceptibility: Nutri-genetic testing can help determine how genetic variations affect food tolerance, appetite control, blood sugar balance, vitamin and mineral needs, detoxification ability, and inflammation susceptibility.

• Enzyme Deficiencies: A lack of digestive enzymes needed to break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can result in food sensitivities and poor nutrient absorption.

Next Steps: Identifying and Healing from Food Sensitivities

If you suspect food sensitivities and have been dealing with any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, food sensitivity and gut barrier testing can be a valuable tool in identifying problem foods, as well as potential damage to your gut lining. Once you understand which foods are problematic for you, following a carefully planned elimination diet involving cutting these foods out of your diet for 8-12 weeks can provide your gut and immune system with a much needed rest from daily triggers of inflammation. Elimination diets can be challenging to follow and maintain, so I would always advise working with a qualified nutritional therapist to help support you and ensure you are still maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet still. Other functional tests that can be very useful to provide the whole picture of your gut health are in depth stool testing and SIBO breath testing (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) to check for parasites, infections as well as imbalanced gut bacteria.

Additionally, supporting gut health through stress management, and targeted nutritional support can help reduce inflammation, rebuild the gut lining and restore balance to the immune system. By addressing food sensitivities, as well as gut and immune health simultaneously, you can take meaningful steps toward improving your overall health and well-being

If you would like some help to get to the root cause of your health symptoms, click the button below to book your free 20 minute health review to discuss your health goals and find out how I can help you get back to enjoying life at every stage

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