Inflammation is one of those buzzwords these days, often linked with the foods we consume. But what is inflammation? The truth is that inflammation is actually a result of a natural process by which the body heals itself from injury, such as a cut or when you bang your knee. That means that inflammation itself is inherently a good thing! It allows the body to identify the enemy and destroy it to heal. Not only is this a natural process, but it is also essential to defend, fight, repair and heal the body. However, healthy cells can become casualties in the process and this occurs with postponed healing resulting in chronic inflammation. This inflammation may be present with little to no symptoms for some time, until the body reaches its threshold and we can experience unwanted symptoms as you can see below. Since our stress levels can change day-to-day or season-to-season, this can also be responsible for setting us over the symptom threshold.
Food Sensitivities
Looking at the graphic above, you can see that food sensitivities contribute to the “total inflammatory load,” meaning that they push the body towards its threshold. They are not the only factor contributing to total inflammatory load, but for some individuals, it is one of the main contributors. Food sensitivities have a few unique properties:
- They are not food allergies. Food allergies are a different response in the body and can result in anaphylaxis.
- They can be dose dependent. This means that consuming a larger volume of a food that you are sensitive to may cause symptoms, while you may be able to tolerate a smaller portion without issues.
- They can have a delayed response, so the reaction can occur up to 1-3 days after ingesting the food or food chemical. You probably eat so many different foods within that time span, which can make it even more difficult to narrow down what food may be causing inflammation.
If you feel food sensitivities may be putting you over the symptom threshold and you are suffering with any of the following symptoms that are affecting your everyday life, call us today to see if food sensitivity testing (LEAP) is right for you. Food sensitivity testing can help take some of the guesswork out of determining what sensitivities you may have.
Symptoms of Inflammation may come from food sensitivities
There is a long list of symptoms that may be a result of food sensitivities. And, a lot of these symptoms can easily be associated with something other than food sensitivities. Because of this, food sensitivities may easily be misunderstood and you may attribute the symptoms to the wrong cause. Without testing, it can be difficult to determine which symptoms may be caused by sensitivities on your own. Once you determine what sensitivities you have, you might still feel stuck. How do you apply this new information to your life? It can take a lot of trial and error to figure it out, but you can live life without the discomfort of all of the symptoms associated with food sensitivities, including:
- Headaches, migraines, sinus headaches
- Diarrhea, acid reflux, heartburn, gut pain
- Mood swings, depression, irritability
- Brain fog, lack of focus
- Insomnia during night, sleepy during day
- Congestion: stuffy nose, post nasal drip
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Edema, water retention, weight fluctuations
- Malaise, failure to be your best
Food Sensitivities Survival Guide
If you have already been tested for food sensitivities or already know your food sensitivities. We have an amazing resource to help you with meal planning.
Our Inflammation Expert Dietitians Are Here to Help
with personalized, effective, trusted recommendations to decrease your inflammation, reach out to one of our experts.
Take a look at their bios below and request a consultation.
Dana uses her advanced training in functional nutrition and food sensitivities to help her clients love and trust food again as they heal from years of painful symptoms that have dominated their lives. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Food Sensitivities Survival Guide.