Food That Doesn’t Fit (Last of 2 parts)

My previous article expounded on the fact that we have food-specific antibodies that cause us to react to certain food items. These specific reactions to food can either be identified as food allergies or food intolerances. For food intolerances, symptoms such as eczema, chronic rhinitis, asthma, lack of energy, migraines, etc. — subtle symptoms that can bother us every day but could also go unnoticed — can be observed.

Our immune system is characterized by the diversity and integrity of our gut microbiome, and so if our gut health is compromised, so is our immune system’s. And since we all have our own unique diversity in gut microbiome (no one person has exactly the same gut microbiome as another person’s, even within family members), this is also the reason we all have different reactions to immune-threatening inflammation in our bodies; either we have skin reactions, respiratory reactions, stomach discomfort, mood swings, etc. This emphasizes the need and the importance of personalized nutrition. That is why there is no single diet that suits everyone.

Since food can be a trigger or contributor to inflammation in our body, one way to address this is to take a food intolerance test. As with all diagnostic tests, this test must be recommended by a medical professional — either a medical doctor, a nurse, or a Nutritionist-Dietitian — as proper assessment is needed to determine whether an individual would benefit from the test. Part of the assessment would include a standard clinical/physical exam as well as distinguishing whether the individual’s concern is specifically related to food allergy or possibly to food intolerances.

The food intolerance test is an advanced diagnostic