By Dr. Amy Davis
Food intolerance is different from true food allergies. It is delayed in its onset and is less serious (not life threatening) but can be very annoying just the same. The symptoms are a result of a delayed immune response which occurs gradually 1-24 hours after eating.
If you have food intolerance, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food without trouble. You may also be able to take steps that help prevent a reaction. For example, if you have lactose intolerance, you may be able to drink lactose-free milk or take lactase enzyme pills that aid digestion.
Food intolerance may be caused by a variety of reasons.
- Poor Digestion from low levels of digestive enzymes – e.g. lactose intolerance
- Dysbiosis – lack of healthy gut bacteria
- Altered stomach pH
- Low bile production – intolerance to fatty foods
- True intolerance – like gluten or casein including a more severe form of gluten intolerance – Celiac disease
- Sensitivity to food additives – dyes, MSG, sweeteners, preservatives
- High stress
- Long Covid
Understanding the cause of food intolerance gives guidance to how you can best manage and treat them. Identifying them is the first step. We routinely do this at Crossing Back to Health by testing for antibodies (IgG) to the various foods that may be impacting you.
Typical symptoms of food intolerance may include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea (irritable bowel symptoms)
- Gas , bloating, heartburn
- Congestion
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Irritability and nervousness
- Fatigue
- Brain fog and attention issues
- Hyperactivity
- Agitation
- Behavioral problems in children
- Joint and muscle pain
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Frequent infections – e.g. ear and sinus infections
- Poor sleep
More and more it is common for children to struggle with food intolerances which frequently run in families. Often parents are not aware that they also have an issue. Many annoying chronic symptoms can be alleviated by identifying which foods the immune system is reacting to and removing them from the diet. It can also be helpful to use specific digestive enzymes to support difficult to digest proteins like gluten and casein.
We have successfully treated many people with food intolerances eliminating the annoying symptoms associated with the intolerance.
If you would like help with your food intolerance, call us or visit our website: www.crossingbacktohealth.com
We are accepting new patients and don’t require a membership.
Amy Davis M.D.
Crossing Back to Health
485 Wildwood Parkway Suite 2
Ballwin, MO 63011
636 778-9158