Could I have a food intolerance?

Question

I’m told food intolerances can affect my health. How can this be true when I don’t have any digestive symptoms?

Answer

Sometimes it’s difficult to connect a food we eat every day with such health complaints as joint pain, brain fog, mood imbalances, congestion, skin rashes, or chronic inflammation. It’s not obvious a particular food is at fault until after you quit eating it for a period of time.

The elimination/provocation diet

A variety of lab panels can diagnose food allergies and intolerances, however sometimes the most reliable test is to go cold turkey on a group of common foods for several weeks. Some of the best foods to eliminate are gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, soy, yeast, and nuts. It’s important to strictly eliminate these foods for two to three weeks for the test to be accurate. You may want to consider going grain-free for best results.

Symptoms pop up after reintroducing the food

Reintroducing these foods one at a time every 72 hours after a temporary abstinence can suddenly elicit a powerful and negative response. Symptoms vary but include digestive upset (bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, etc.), abdominal pain, headaches, joint pain, respiratory congestion, skin rashes, brain fog, mood changes, or flare-ups of an autoimmune condition.

A restored immune system produces reactions

Why would a food you have been eating your whole life suddenly make you feel terrible after a three-week break? Because eliminating it from your diet has allowed your immune system to rest and recover. While eating the food regularly your immune system had to work constantly to buffer the damage, draining it of strength. The elimination diet allows the immune system to become more robust. It is then able to sound the alarms to a food intolerance with uncomfortable symptoms. This lets you know eating that food negatively impacts your health.

Say goodbye to problem foods and hello to better health

Permanently eliminating foods to which you are intolerant allows your digestive system to repair, your immune system to strengthen, and other systems in your body to come into better balance. Many people find chronic health conditions improve or disappear after the elimination, or find they feel more alert and energetic.