Let’s Get to the Bottom of Things!

There are many reasons why certain foods may not be agreeing with us however it’s not always easy to figure out the what or the why?! 

It can be years until we get to the bottom of food allergies and intolerances. And often then we either end up on extremely restrictive diets or put up with the pain and discomfort unaware of the more permanent damage it’s doing on the inside of our bodies. 

If you are dealing with a food allergy and Intolerance, our body will experience this with a range of different symptoms. 

Symptoms of food intolerances or allergies can show up all over the body and not just the digestive system! 

Symptoms that can be associated with a food allergy or intolerance.

Gluten
Associated symptoms: Abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, irritability, low mood, mental health issues, iron and other nutrient deficiencies.

Dairy
Intolerance: Constipation (more so in children), diarrhea, bloating, cramping, eczema, excess mucus, aches and pains, reflux (more so in babies).
Allergy: Anaphylactic reaction.

Nuts
Intolerance: Vomiting, rash.
Allergy: Anaphylactic reaction.

Seafood
Intolerance: Vomiting, rash.
Allergy: Anaphylactic reaction.

Food Additives
Intolerance: Headaches, behavioral changes, rash, asthma.

Salicylates
Intolerance: Eczema, headaches, stomach pain, asthma, rash.

Common reasons why certain foods are disagreeing with you:

Allergic immune response 

The body sees the food as a dangerous foreign body and initiates an overactive response which can sometimes result in an anaphylactic reaction. 

Intolerance or sensitivity 

The digestive system struggles to break down certain nutrients so the food sits in your digestive tract and ferments causing inflammation which in the long term damages the gut.

Inadequate enzyme production 

There are many different enzymes that are each responsible for breaking down different food groups. Enzymes are also responsible for initiating other digestive processes. If you are low in a particular enzyme you may struggle to break down and digest certain foods. 

Low Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric Acid is secreted into the stomach to help with the digestion of food and the activation of certain enzymes. Nutrient deficiency, stress, age, antacids and H. pylori infection can affect the production of Hydrochloric Acid leaving your stomach with not enough to break down foods and move them off to the intestines. This leaves the food sitting in your stomach fermenting and producing uncomfortable gases.      

Liver function 

One of the liver’s many roles is to clear toxins out of the body including natural chemicals found in plants. Sometimes if our liver is overloaded or we are deficient in nutrients that support this process the toxins can build up and cause reactions throughout the body.

Gut damage https://fnqhealthco.com.au/gut-health/ . Whether the damage is from the foods themselves or by other means it is essential that you give your gut the TLC it needs as many of your symptoms could be caused by a damaged and inflamed gut rather than the food itself.  

Also be aware that there are many other things that can upset your stomach and digestive system after eating including stress and medications. 

It may be a matter of avoiding the particular food however it may be the case that your body needs more support. 

So what can you do to help? 

Keeping a diet and symptoms diary is a great 1st step the getting to the bottom of things.

The sample below gives you an idea of what to include in your diet symptoms diary after meals and snacks 

• Food & drinks – Record the amounts, types and brands of foods eaten.
• Medications and Supplements – Name and dosage
• Symptoms – Rate your symptoms (1 =mild; 10 =severe).
• Mood – Severe or chronic stress, anxiety and depression as very as energy levels can be influenced by certain foods and vice-versa, mood symptoms can also make gut symptoms worse. Record and rate your stress, anxiety, energy and mood (eg. 1 =calm; 10 =very stressed)

Sample diet and symptoms diary

Meal: Breakfast
Food and Drink: ½ Avocado on 1 slice of wholemeal toast with 1 poached egg , 1x English breakfast tea with 1 tsp sugar and full fat milk.
Medications/ Supplements: Lexapro 10mg, 400mg Magnesium Diasporal.
Symptoms: Bloated 7, Bowel movement 7
Mood: Running late for work Anxious 6, Stress 7

So if you would like to get to the bottom of things and find out your what and why.. Then reach out to us. We will get you on top of things, so you can live and feel your best self. If you have any questions at all about something that may not be quite agreeing with you, or a loved one then please reach out – we are here to help 🙂