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Have you ever noticed that you eat certain foods on certain days and you get uneasy with one or more of the following symptoms?

Extreme bloating
Nausea
Hives
Joint pain
Constipation/Diarrhoea
Persistent body aches
Irritability/Anxiety
 Stuffy nose
Migraines
Insomnia

Have you ever noticed that you eat certain foods on certain days and you get uneasy with one or more of the following symptoms?

1. Extreme bloating
2. Nausea
3. Hives
4. Joint pain
5. Constipation/Diarrhoea
6. Persistent body aches
7. Irritability/Anxiety
8.  Stuffy nose
9. Migraines
10. Insomnia

Common causes:

1. Genetic absence of enzymes needed to digest certain foods.
2. Certain chemicals in foods can lead to food sensitivities.
3. Lectins in lentils & vegetables which can only be removed by soaking overnight and pressure cooking.
4. Natural histamines in certain foods can lead to the physical reaction.
5. Food additives like MSG, Nitrites, Sulfites and food colorings.
6. Excessive intake of anti-acids reduces natural production of HCL which is a God-given digestive aid, this reduction leads to a reduced breakdown of the food into its natural end products and increased accumulation of unnatural products (toxins) in the body. this in long-term leads to an overactive immune system.

Treatment:

Know your intolerances and eliminate them is crucial to treat this condition.

1. Diagnostic tests such as IgE and IgG testing for a comprehensive list of food products from the blood
2. Elimination diet, Remove each suspected commonly known allergens for a few days and see how you feel in those days.

While food intolerances can cause initial discomfort, however, if left unattended and unaddressed can lead to extreme consequences of autoimmune diseases such as:

1. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
3. Lupus
4. Crohn’s
5. Ulcerative colitis
6. Ankylosing spondylitis

Dr. Kalpana Shekhawat M.D.

Functional  Medicine Specialist