One of the common complaints I hear from patients when they come into the office for a visit is abdominal bloating.  I also see patients with chronic constipation, other types of bowel problems, skin and lung problems. They may also have fatigue and a  host of other symptoms that may seem unrelated to their stated complaint.  A common thread among these complaints is that symptoms may worsen or improve without any known cause.   Many of my patients have other problems such as chronic pain, lupus, fibromyalgia, urinary tract infections, or similar problems with some GI symptoms.  We talk about what they are eating and drinking, and in many cases, they seem to have a fairly healthy diet.

Food supply problems

Many people don’t realize that our modern food supply relies on mass production, pesticide use, growth factors and taking food before it has ripened naturally which exposes us to substances that our ancestors didn’t have to deal with. Some of the things used in mass food production get into the food, and the byproducts bind with proteins in the plant, creating an unfamiliar substance in the gut.  When this new compound gets to the gut and the immune system, it may trigger a mild reaction leading to an immune response.  Although this doesn’t cause a typical allergic reaction, the irritation of the intestinal lining by this food may create a situation wherein the protective barriers  between the cells in the gut are opened up exposing the immune system to these compounds.  This then leads to inflammatory chemicals being produced in the body which creates a negative effect on the microorganisms living in the intestine (the gut microbiome) causing poor digestion, increased gas production, impaired nutrient absorption and in some cases, a chronic immune response creating problems in other parts of the body.

Food sensitivities

When I see someone who has suspicious complaints, I recommend food sensitivity testing  to determine what foods and food additives may be causing this problem or worsening it.  The advantage of doing testing is that we don’t need to put someone on a random diet that is not customized to their particular needs and sensitivities.  Some of the common diets we prescribe for Interstitial Cystitis, Irritable Bowel syndrome and other inflammatory problems can be helpful but are not specific enough.  A food sensitivity test is an excellent way to determine what specific foods are likely to cause the biggest problems and then create a customized plan to help the gut, and the rest of the body, begin to heal.  We perform food sensitivity testing on a regular basis for our patients to help them achieve optimal health and wellness as well as more appropriately treat their specific problems.  If you have symptoms that do not seem to respond to the standard dietary changes, or if you have an autoimmune issue, you might benefit from food sensitivity testing.

How to get testing

Contact our office at 561-671-0041 to learn more about food sensitivity testing and achieving your optimal health and wellness.