What are Food Sensitivities?

What are Food Sensitivities?

by Rochelle Griffin

Sure…we know to stay away from unhealthy food but what about when healthy food turns on us? What about when so-called healthy foods begin to cause unhealthy reactions in our body? Why does this happen & what can it mean? Many times it’s because food sensitivities have reared their ugly head.

Food sensitivities are rampant in today’s society, yet so many people don’t have an understanding of what it really means. Today let’s decode the mystery because you may be dealing with them and not even realize it.

Food sensitivities are different from food allergies. A true food allergy causes an immune response that can actually be life threatening. Even a tiny bit of the food can trigger a severe reaction requiring immediate medical attention.

Food sensitivities are different & are non-life threatening. In fact, there may not be a noticeable response for many hours after the food is eaten…and once the inflammatory response occurs, the person may not even realize that it’s related to the food. Sneaky sneaky.

Why do these sensitivities even occur?

A big reason is because of adrenal fatigue. When our adrenals aren’t performing as they should, cortisol (the stress hormone made in our adrenals) is eventually not produced in the amounts that it should be.

Cortisol regulates the production of secretory immunoglobulin A (SigA.) SigA is our gut’s first line protective barrier defense. If the mucosal barrier isn’t working like it should, pathogens can “leak” through.

When food particles “leak” through our gut wall into the blood before they are fully broken down, our body perceives them as invaders that shouldn’t be there. Our immune system kicks in & attacks them, causing inflammation…along with a host of other issues over time.

What are signs that you may have food sensitivities? The following is a short list of possible conditions…notice there are more than just GI related issues:

• ADHD
• colitis
• weight gain
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• insomnia
• depression
• anxiety
• diarrhea
• bloating
• joint pain
• inability to concentrate
• inability to lose weight

What can you do about it?

1. The best thing you can do is to take a simple blood test called a Mediator Release Test. This test will tell you which foods you are reactive to. Once you know, you can eliminate the foods from your diet while you heal your mucosal barrier.
2. Start to rotate your foods. I used to be a creature of habit with my foods…until I discovered that I was sensitive to my “eat every day” choices, including lettuce, brown rice, chicken, and broccoli. Rule of thumb: eat a food and don’t eat it again for another 3-4 days.
3. Heal your gut. A big part of healing your gut is having your stool tested to rule out any parasites, bacteria, and/or yeast. Also be sure that you are taking a good probiotic.

If you live in the US or Canada and are interested in either test, check out my site at http://rochellegriffin.com/fdn for more information on them. I would be my honor to help you heal and kick those symptoms to the curb!

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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