A food intolerance or sensitivity can result from your immune system having an unwanted reaction to certain foods
. While some food-related reactions stem from a genetically inherited enzyme deficiency
or chemical sensitivity, others result from an inappropriate
response by the immune system.
The immune system may trigger a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction—known as a classic IgE-mediated Type I food allergy— triggering a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction immediately after consuming or inhaling the food
, or through what we call Type III IgG-mediated allergy,
which can occur hours or even days after consuming the food and may lead to the accumulation of immune complexes
in the body
Although not life-threatening, food intolerance can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life
.

Why does food intolerance develop in the body?
The cause of food intolerance in the body is complex and not yet fully understood.
However, it is believed that damage to the intestinal barrier plays a role and allows undigested food proteins to enter the bloodstream
, triggering a strong immune response.
The causes of food intolerance can vary from person to person, but the following factors are often thought to play a role
.

• Poor digestion
• Hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy
• Food additives
• Altered gut microbiota
• Parasites, yeast, or bacterial intestinal infections
• Poor nutrition (going without food for long periods, overeating, consuming too many sugary and processed foods
  , and consistently eating the same types of foods are among the factors that can significantly alter
  and disrupt the composition of the gut microbiota.)
• Effects resulting from the long-term use of medications such as antibiotics, pain relievers, corticosteroid-containing medications, birth control pills, and sedatives
  
• Permanent (enzymatic) food intolerance (a deficiency in the body of the enzyme necessary to digest a food,
  )
  IgG-mediated food intolerances are not considered to be life-threatening or to cause any disease,
  .

Symptoms of food intolerance include gas, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, stomach cramps, headaches, chronic
fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, itching, mouth sores, and muscle and joint pain, as well as
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). With food intolerance, symptoms may appear hours—and sometimes
days—after consuming the food.

An increasing number of studies have shown that identifying foods that trigger an adverse immune response and
temporarily eliminating them from the diet leads to an improvement or alleviation of symptoms
. In a study conducted by the University of York, it was found that 75% of 5,286 people
who complained of a specific medical condition experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms within one month
after eliminating foods that tested positive in a food intolerance test.
However, when they reintroduced those foods into their diets, 91% reported that their symptoms returned.

Food intolerance is a health issue, and it is not incurable. If you suspect you have this condition, ,
and let’s run your test. Let us help you resolve your issue.

Take care.