What Are Food Sensitivities?

A food sensitivity is an adverse reaction to a food that is not a true allergy. Food sensitivities can cause a range of symptoms, including digestive issues, skin rashes, and headache. However, these symptoms are generally less severe than those caused by a food allergy.

Are Food Sensitivities Real?

Food sensitivities are real and can cause significant discomfort for some people. However, they are often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be subtle and may not occur immediately after eating the trigger food. Food sensitivities do exist, and they can cause a range of symptoms, including digestive issues, skin rashes, and headache. However, these symptoms are generally less severe than those caused by a food allergy.

It is also important to note that food sensitivities can sometimes be psychosomatic, meaning that they are caused by a person's emotional or psychological state rather than a physical reaction to a food. In these cases, the symptoms may improve with psychological treatment, such as therapy or stress management.

How Can You Test for Food Sensitivities?

There are several ways to test for food sensitivities, including:

1. Elimination diet: This involves removing suspected trigger foods from your diet and then gradually reintroducing them to see if symptoms occur.
2. Food sensitivity test: This involves taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory to be tested for reactions to certain foods.
3. Challenge test: This involves eating a small amount of the suspected trigger food in a controlled setting to see if symptoms occur.

A food sensitivity test is not the same as an allergy test. Allergy tests, such as skin prick tests or blood tests, measure the body's immune system response to specific allergens.

The five most common food intolerances are:

1. Lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting dairy products)
2. Gluten intolerance (difficulty digesting wheat, barley, and rye)
3. Fructose intolerance (difficulty digesting fruit sugar)
4. Histamine intolerance (difficulty digesting histamine-rich foods)
5. Sulphite sensitivity (reaction to sulphites, which are preservatives found in some foods and drinks)

What is the Root Cause of Food Sensitivities?

The root cause of food sensitivities is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the body's immune system and/or digestive system. Some people may be genetically predisposed to food sensitivities, while others may develop them as a result of certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors.

1. The immune system: In some cases, the body's immune system may mistakenly identify a certain food as a harmful invader and mount an immune response against it.
2. The digestive system: Some people may have a hard time digesting certain foods due to a lack of certain enzymes or other digestive issues.
3. Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle factors, such as stress or poor nutrition, may contribute to the development of food sensitivities.
4. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, may increase the risk of developing food sensitivities.

There are several biological causes of food intolerances. These include:

1. Enzyme deficiencies: Some people may have a deficiency in certain enzymes that are needed to digest certain foods. For example, lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest milk sugar (lactose).
2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is a disorder that affects the large intestine and can cause a range of digestive symptoms, including bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Some people with IBS may have food intolerances, particularly to foods that are high in fiber or FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols).
3. Sensitivity to additives or chemicals: Some people may be sensitive to certain additives or chemicals that are found in foods, such as food coloring or preservatives.
4. Celiac disease: This is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the small intestine in response to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. People with celiac disease can experience digestive symptoms and other health problems if they consume gluten.
5. Histamine intolerance: This is a condition in which the body has difficulty breaking down histamine, a chemical that is found in certain foods and is also produced by the body. People with histamine intolerance may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache after consuming histamine-rich foods.

It is important to note that the root cause of food sensitivities can be complex and may vary from person to person. If you are experiencing symptoms that you suspect may be due to a food sensitivity, it is important to speak with your doctor for a proper evaluation. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Can You Suddenly Develop Food Sensitivities?

it is possible to develop food sensitivities at any age. Food sensitivities can be triggered by a variety of factors, including changes in the immune system, changes in the digestive system, and lifestyle factors.

It is also possible to outgrow certain food sensitivities. For example, some children who are allergic to milk as infants may be able to tolerate it as they get older. However, it is important to speak with a doctor before trying to introduce a previously allergenic food back into the diet.

What is a Food Allergy?

Food allergies, on the other hand, are a type of immune system reaction that occurs when the body mistakes a harmless substance (such as a certain food) for a harmful invader. Food allergies can cause a range of symptoms, including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat. In severe cases, food allergies can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

The top ten most common food allergies are:

1. Peanut
2. Tree nuts (such as almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews)
3. Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster, and crab)
4. Fish
5. Milk
6. Egg
7. Soy
8. Wheat
9. Sesame
10. Mustard

Although there are natural remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of inflammation, the remedy for a food allergy is often epinephrine. Allergies are much more severe than sensitivities, and need to be treated as an emergency situation, especially if there are life-threatening symptoms.