7 Signs of Food Sensitivity

 

Many people with food sensitivities have no idea what is wrong with them. I spent many years thinking it was normal to have my hands hurt in the mornings; eventually, I discovered my pain was inflammation caused by a sensitivity to corn. You may be suffering needlessly and not even realize it. If any of these symptoms seem to describe your situation, please talk with your doctor to get tested and develop a coping strategy.

7. Stomach Cramps

If you suffer from those after-dinner stomach cramps, sometimes accompanied by sweat and hot flashes, you probably have a food sensitivity. Try identifying your trigger food to eliminate those painful cramps and unpleasant evenings. An elimination diet is the most common way to determine a food sensitivity. Eliminate one food at a time to see if your symptoms improve with a particular food’s absence.

6. Bloating and Gas

Food sensitivities can cause the buildup of harmful bacteria in your digestive tract as your body struggles to process the problem food. The resulting gas and bloating are uncomfortable for you and everyone around you. Limit processed foods if possible, and take a probiotic regimen to help your good bacteria warriors flourish. For a base routine, I like Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus Bifidus.

5. Acne

The battle for a clear complexion can be long and brutal. If you have tried every product and still suffer from acne, rosacea, or eczema, you might have a food sensitivity. These skin conditions are frequently associated with a gluten or dairy intolerance, so try eliminating the usual offenders first in your search for your trigger.

4. Constipation or Diarrhea

Food sensitivities affect the bodies’ ability to digest food properly. The inability to digest food can cause two main complications, constipation or diarrhea. Sometimes when the body cannot properly digest food, it will produce a loose, watery undigested stool that can really ruin your day. Alternatively, sometimes the body will struggle to eliminate undigested waste allowing it to spread bacteria until a bowel movement is achieved.

3. Headache

If you suffer from mystery headaches, it is a good idea to keep a food journal to single out a trigger food. Food sensitivities can cause inflammation in your cranial muscles, causing pain and sometimes leading to a migraine. Diarrhea is a common co-symptom that can lead to headache-causing dehydration.

2. Heartburn

Frequent heartburn could indicate food sensitivities as undigested food mixes with your stomach acid to travel into the esophagus. If possible, try to identify and eliminate foods that cause heartburn, if not seek treatment to avoid esophageal damage.

1. Fatigue

When the body is exposed to a problem food, it works really hard in its attempt at digestion, making you tired, partially from the energy expense. The inability to digest food can cause an energy-zapping nutrient deficiency as you aren’t absorbing the vital nutrients from what you eat. Inflammation is another big culprit of fatigue and runs rampant after you eat a food to which you are sensitive.

If you suspect you may have a food sensitivity, please schedule a time to speak with your doctor. The effects of a food sensitivity can significantly impact your life but are manageable once identified.

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