Common Food Intolerance Symptoms: Learn to Identify Symptoms and Heal Your Gut.
Understanding your body is crucial, especially when it comes to your reaction to different foods. Food intolerance (also called food sensitivity) is a common condition where your body has difficulty digesting certain foods, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that affect your daily life. Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system and can be life-threatening, food intolerances primarily affect the digestive system and are often less severe.
While the symptoms of food intolerance can vary widely, they typically include gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Some people may also experience headache, joint pain, brain fog, anxiety, fatigue, or skin irritation. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward addressing and managing potential intolerances, which can vastly improve your quality of life.
Key Takeaways
- Food intolerance involves digestive difficulty with certain foods leading to discomfort.
- Symptoms can impact the gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, and musculoskeletal systems and more!
- Identifying symptoms is crucial to heal and improve your well-being.
Understanding Food Intolerance vs. Allergic Reaction
When you’re dealing with troublesome digestive issues (or unexplained symptoms with other systems of the body), it’s essential to know whether it’s a food intolerance or a food allergy. Both can make you feel miserable, but they affect your body in different ways.
Defining Food Intolerance
Food intolerance occurs when your digestive system reacts poorly to certain foods you eat. You might experience bloating, gas, or diarrhea. It’s not fun, trust me. For example, if you have lactose intolerance, your body lacks the enzyme necessary to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. Similarly, with gluten intolerance, your body may react negatively to gluten, a protein in wheat and other grains.
Difference Between a Food Intolerance and a Food Allergy
This is where it gets a bit tricky. Food intolerance and food allergy might share some symptoms, but they’re definitely not the same. A food allergy involves your immune system and can be life-threatening, with reactions like swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis. (Think of a severe peanut allergy as an example.) In contrast, food intolerance is usually less immediate and may involve non-specific symptoms (such as joint pain or brain fog) in other bodily systems. But don’t underestimate the power of a food sensitivity to wreak havoc on your health and life!
Common Food Intolerances
Food intolerances can make eating some of your favorite foods a less-than-pleasant experience. Here’s a quick look at some of the most prevalent offenders that might be causing your discomfort.
Lactose Intolerance
You’ve probably heard of lactose intolerance, a common issue where your body can’t digest lactose, a sugar mainly found in dairy products. If you’re reaching for milk, cheese, or yogurt and then feeling bloated, gassy, or experiencing diarrhea, you might be lactose intolerant. (Here’s a recipe for a cashew alternative!)
Gluten Sensitivity
If you eat pasta, bread, or cereals and then feel crummy, it could be gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein present in wheat, barley, and rye, and it doesn’t sit well with everyone. Symptoms can range from abdominal pain to anxiety to headaches (and more) and steering clear of gluten can often lead to a happier body. (Check out my gluten-free paleo bread recipe!) Celiac Disease occurs when people have an allergic response to gluten.
Other Trigger Foods
Besides lactose and gluten, you could be reacting to other foods without realizing it. Fruits and vegetables can also be culprits, often due to naturally occurring chemicals like salicylates or histamines. If certain fruits or veggies seem to give you trouble, you might be on to something. It’s not just about lactose and gluten; your body might be sending signals to take it easy with other foods too. Alternatively, you might be reacting to the toxins (pesticides, herbicides, preservatives and more) used in growing and/or processing a certain food or ingredient.
Recognizing Food Sensitivity Symptoms
When it comes to food sensitivities and intolerances, your body may communicate through various symptoms that something isn’t quite right. Recognizing these signs is the first step to addressing the issue and improving your well-being.
Gastrointestinal Manifestations
If you find yourself frequently experiencing bloating, gas, or abdominal pain after eating, it’s possible that you’re facing a form of food intolerance. Other symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation are also common indicators, signaling that your digestive system is struggling with certain foods.
Skin and Respiratory Reactions
Unexpected skin issues such as a rash or hives could be your body’s way of signaling food intolerance. These skin irritations, along with respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing, may occur when your body reacts to particular food components that it can’t tolerate. Your reactions could be more insidious, like post-nasal drip, excess mucus production, and acne or other blemishes.
Neurological and Systemic Issues
Food intolerance can affect more than just your stomach. You might notice headaches or fatigue that you can’t link to usual suspects like lack of sleep or stress. Brain fog and memory issues can be other neurological signs that your diet may be impacting your body’s overall functioning.
Mental and Emotional Issues
Your diet’s effect on your gut health can also manifest as mental and emotional disturbances. If you’re feeling unusually irritable or experiencing anxiety that doesn’t align with your life’s current events, it’s worth considering if your food choices might be playing a role.
Increasing Intolerances
Pay attention if you’re becoming intolerant to foods that you used to enjoy without any problems. An increase in sensitivities can be a telltale sign that your gut health needs attention, and it might be time to review your diet and lifestyle habits to pinpoint the triggers. Unfortunately, I see this all the time in my practice: if you don’t heal your gut, your body will become more reactive to more things. The good news? Heal the gut and the sensitivities will change and decrease.
How Do I Know if I Have a Food Intolerance?
When you’re feeling crummy after eating certain foods, or having multiple seemingly unexplained symptoms, it might be time to consider if food sensitivities are the culprit. Unraveling food intolerance usually starts with two key strategies: the elimination diet and specific diagnostic tests.
Elimination Diet
Some practitioners try to get to the root of your food sensitivity with an elimination diet. This means you’ll kick off by removing foods that are potential troublemakers from your diet for a set period, typically a few weeks. You’ll need to keep a detailed food diary during this phase, noting everything you eat. After the elimination period, you’ll gradually reintroduce the foods one at a time, monitoring your body’s reactions closely. Your healthcare provider can guide you through this process to identify the specific foods that might be giving you strife. The downside: Elimination diets take time and can be hard to stick to. They can result in nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, there may be hidden sources of your triggers that you’re unaware of, meaning you could be consuming the very things you’re trying to eliminate. This would throw off the results of your elimination diet.
Food Sensitivity Testing: IgG vs MRT
Now, when it comes to food intolerance tests, there’s a bit of a debate around which ones provide the most reliable results. You may have heard of the IgG test that looks for food-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in your blood. However, it’s important to remember that the presence of IgG might indicate exposure to food, not necessarily a sensitivity or intolerance, so the results may not be accurate.
On the other hand, the MRT (Mediator Release Test) is considered the gold standard by many in the field. It’s all about measuring your immune system’s reaction to different foods by assessing the release of mediators, such as histamine and cytokines, from your white blood cells. Always consult with your Functional Health Coach to find the most suitable tests for your situation.
Additional Tests for Food Sensitivities:
A lot of people come to me and ask about the new gut test they’ve seen at the Big Box Stores or online, especially the parasite tests with their shocking pictures. One thing is certain: A simple parasite test is not going to get the job done. I know, they are all the rage right now, but they’re simply not enough. Gut health and food sensitivities can be impacted by toxic exposures (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, mold, parasites, inflammation, nutrient status, and more. Doing ONLY a parasite test and then a parasite cleanse is woefully inadequate and sets you up for failure. We need to figure out WHY you developed a good environment for invaders and imbalances. Additional tests can include: HTMA, OATs, and Stool.
HTMA:
A heavy metals test looks for the presence and elimination of heavy metals. These metals can be damaging to your health in their own right (for example, mercury amalgam fillings), and they can impact your health by occupying sites that should be occupied by nutrients. This results in lower nutrients, which results in other problems including a lowered immune system. Now you’re more vulnerable to invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungus, etc.
OATs:
An Organic Acids Test (OAT) gives insight into your metabolism and nutrient status. It can uncover intestinal yeast, bacteria, nutritional markers, and more.
Stool Test:
A comprehensive stool test evaluates your digestive system for bacteria, viruses, mold, yeast, fat metabolism, and imbalances. This test is often combined with the others discussed above to develop a complete picture of the health of your digestive system.
Healing Food Intolerances by Healing the Gut
Healing your gut is key to resolving food intolerances. It’s about giving your digestive system the care it needs to process foods properly and reduce uncomfortable symptoms.
7 R Protocol
The 7 R Protocol to heal the gut starts with an MRT and other tests to accurately identify the foods & items irritating your body. Without this information, I find many people – trying to be healthy – are unknowingly eating the very things making them sick! My client, Stacy, said “I thought I was eating healthy foods like brussel sprouts and pumpkin seeds but you can be intolerant to healthy foods. Just taking out certain foods made a huge difference and I would have never known to do that without testing. I started feeling better within a month.”
After we receive the test results, I guide you every step of the way through the following phases:
🌟 RESTORE – You need energy to detox. It’s wise to start by cleaning up your nutrition and adding specific supplements to include more energy creating minerals and nutrients.
🌟 RELEASE – Open your drainage pathways to get your body prepared for the Remove phase and help avoid herxheimer reactions or a healing crisis.
🌟 REMOVE – Eliminate anything that could be irritating the gut – foods, pathogens, parasites, mold, heavy metals, candida, toxic situations, toxic water, toxic air, etc.
🌟 REPLACE – Add certain elements or enzymes that may be missing and are key to digestion.
🌟 REPOPULATE – Eat healthy foods that will help rebalance and rebuild the gut microbiome.
🌟 REPAIR – Introduce nutrients to create a gut-friendly environment. (Here’s my favorite gut-soothing latte recipe!)
🌟 REBALANCE – Address lifestyle habits (stress, sleep, toxic exposures, etc.…)
General Lifestyle Tips
- Limit Caffeine: Too much caffeine can irritate your gut. Cut down on coffee and energy drinks to help your gut heal.
- Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to reduce stress, which can exacerbate food intolerances.
- Sleep Well: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep to help the gut repair itself.
- Exercise Regularly: Gentle, regular exercise can improve digestion and reduce stress levels.
Remember, you’re not just avoiding certain foods—you’re nurturing your gut to improve your overall tolerance and well-being.
Conclusion
You’ve reached the end of this journey on understanding food intolerance. Remember, if you suspect that certain foods don’t sit well with you, it’s not just about discomfort. Symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain can be more than minor inconveniences; they can signal that you need to pay closer attention to what you eat.
- Listen to Your Body: Keep an eye out for the common symptoms associated with food intolerance, like gastrointestinal upset, headaches, or skin irritation. Tuning into your body’s reactions after meals is crucial. Also look for the less common symptoms outlined in this article.
- Seek Professional Advice: Don’t hesitate to reach out for a professional opinion. A Functional Health Coach can provide guidance on how to resolve your symptoms, heal your gut, and maintain a balanced diet.
Your health is the most important asset you possess, and effectively resolving food intolerances can be a significant step towards a healthier, happier you. Food sensitivities do not have to be a life sentence! I encourage you to make the call that could change your life and schedule a Clarity Coffee Call with me.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, you’ll find answers to common queries about food intolerances, including how to identify them, typical symptoms, and management strategies.
How can you tell if you have a food intolerance?
You may have a food intolerance if you experience digestive issues like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea after eating certain foods even in reasonable portions. Or if you have other, seemingly unrelated, symptoms that are progressing over time. These may include anxiety, brain fog, joint pain, skin changes, and more. You may try an elimination diet to avoid eating the offending food or keep a food diary. Truly, the most efficient and effective way to know for certain is to “Test, Don’t Guess!”
Can food intolerances develop later in life?
Yes, you can develop food intolerances at any age. Factors like changes in your gut health can influence their onset. Unresolved food intolerances typically worsen over time, with your body becoming more reactive to more foods.
Is it possible to overcome a food intolerance?
Overcoming a food intolerance is possible if you follow my 7R protocol and heal your gut.
What are some of the most common foods that people are intolerant to?
Common culprits include dairy products, gluten-containing grains, and foods with high FODMAPs like beans and certain fruits and vegetables.
Can you give me an example of how my nutrition status impacts my gut health?
Yes. When a person has low potassium, this results in low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach. Not only is a highly acidic stomach environment crucial for digestion, but it also protects us from harmful invaders we might ingest. A stomach with low hydrochloric acid levels is susceptible to H. pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers!