Understanding Food Intolerance and Food Sensitivity
What do the following healthy foods all have in common?
- ACORN SQUASH
- BLUEBERRY
- LEMON
- TOMATO
- WILD RICE
- ZUCCHINI
- SQUASH
- EGG WHITES
These are foods that I learned through testing that I had a moderate or severe food intolerance to. This is important to know as food intolerances and food sensitivities cause chronic inflammation. Food intolerance manifests a wide array of symptoms from gastrointestinal, fatigue, headache, migraines, arthritis and brain fog. These types of sensitivities affect 80% of the population. However, food intolerance does not cause immediate allergic symptoms.
Two more foods that made it to my reaction list are gluten and casein, which seem to be quite prevalent. The scary part is that I was sure I wasn’t sensitive to gluten. I’m really glad I conducted the testing and didn’t rely on my limited knowledge at that time (2013).
Food intolerance and food sensitivity can vary based on stress levels, eating habits, medical conditions, nutritional status, hormone levels, medications, change of season, and other factors that impact the immune system.
Intolerances and sensitivities can be measured via the ALCAT Test. It’s a simple blood test for food and chemical sensitivities. ALCAT testing identifies food, chemical, and herbal sensitivities where the symptom onset is longer (several hours to days) and varied (typical in chronic conditions).
ALCAT testing does not identify immediate IgE food allergies.
This valuable testing answered questions for me as I was baffled why I was still having high levels of inflammation eating a predominantly whole, clean (organic) food diet.
I’ve attached a copy of my test results from the Platinum Comprehensive Panel, which tests for the following:
- 200 Foods
- 50 Functional Foods and Medicinal Herbs
- 20 Food Additives/Colorings
- 10 Environmental Chemicals
- 21 Molds
- 20 Antibiotics/Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Along with the comprehensive personalized results is included a 4-day Rotation Plan Guide. You can move foods around as long as you keep a food diary. Mild Intolerance foods can be eaten one day and then omitted in your diet for at least 3 days to avoid a cumulative sensitizing effect.
Another bonus of the testing is that you receive a consultation with a Nutritionist to review the results and help you with food rotation and planning.
ALCAT testing is also widely used for athletes who want a competitive edge. ALCAT results instruct them in personalized dieting to help increase strength and normalize weight.
Ready to get started or learn a bit more about how ALCAT testing can help you or your loved ones? Click here or call us at 812-461-8922.
