Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Discovering the truth about the foods you’re consuming and knowing which foods work with your body and which ones work against it is critical in achieving optimal health.  Eating the wrong foods for your body can cause a wide range of negative symptoms or reactions.  This occurs when an individual has a food allergy or a food sensitivity/intolerance.  Many people confuse food intolerance with an allergy because often, the symptoms can be similar or overlap.  However, an actual food allergy causes an immune system reaction that affects numerous organs within the body.  There are a wide range of symptoms that vary from person to person.  Allergic reactions to food can vary from minor to severe, or even life-threatening.

It is important to make the distinction between food allergies and food intolerances/sensitivities, as they are not the same.  Food allergies, as we’ve stated above, trigger the immune system, whereas food intolerances do not.  Food intolerances are a non-allergic, hypersensitivity to certain foods.  Food intolerances generally come with symptoms that are less serious and mostly limited to digestive difficulties.

A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a food ingredient as harmful.  The body reacts by creating antibodies called immunoglobulin E (igE) to fight the invading ingredient.  Symptoms of a food allergy and/or sensitivity include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.  Additional food allergy symptoms include hives, abdominal cramps, swollen tongue, swollen throat, tingling of the mouth, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.  More severe allergic reactions can even involve anaphylaxis or death.  Food allergy symptoms can occur almost immediately or may occur up to a couple of hours after the food has been ingested.  While an individual can be allergic to almost any food, the following foods are responsible for about 90% of all food allergies:

1. Eggs
2. Nuts
3. Peanuts
4. Milk
5. Shellfish
6. Fish
7. Wheat
8. Soy

Whether you struggle with food sensitivities or food allergies, we’re here to assist you on your journey to wellness.  Even if you’re unsure, but suspect you may have an intolerance or allergy, we can help you discover the truth about the foods you’re consuming and if they are the cause of your negative symptoms.  We offer our clients on-site testing such as ALCAT, which is considered the most comprehensive food allergy and sensitivity test available today.  This test gives nutritionists and heath care professionals an advanced tool for managing conditions linked to inflammation and chronic activation of the immune system.  Essentially, the ALCAT test measures individual nutrition on a cellular level, and can detect the body’s response to over 400 stimuli.  This includes sensitivities or intolerances to food, food additives, gluten, dairy products, colorings, mold, medicinal herbs, environmental chemicals, etc.  Nutritional assessment of the ALCAT test is used to guide dietary modifications vital to your overall health.

We can help you discover, identify, and define the healthiest foods to incorporate in your diet with your specific food sensitivity or allergy.  Whether you are dealing with Celiac disease, soy, wheat, or lactose intolerance, you can improve emotional, physical, and behavioral effects by eliminating allergenic foods and incorporating easy alternatives.  Eliminating allergens from your diet and making the proper food substitutions can significantly improve your quality of life without nutritional risk or deficiency.

Clients with food sensitivities, food allergies, or digestive disorders often feel challenged and confused about foods and knowing which are the right foods.  That’s why we’ll create a comprehensive nutrition program specifically designed and customized to address your food allergy/sensitivity and symptoms.  Dietary and lifestyle modifications can have an incredibly positive impact on allergies, digestive conditions, and food intolerances.  We’ll teach you how to live and eat properly with your food allergy, food sensitivity, or digestive issue.  You’ll learn how to identify your allergen(s) or irritant(s) in our vast food supply, and thrive by meeting your nutritional needs within the context of your customized nutrition program.  While learning to make the healthiest food choices possible (with your allergy or sensitivity), you’ll also learn to recognize those foods that may trigger associated symptoms.  We have extensive experience helping clients with:

• Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing
• Managing Food Allergies and Intolerances
• Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity
• Lactose Sensitivity/Intolerance
• Soy, Corn, or Wheat Intolerance
• Digestive Problems or Disorders

We’ll help you achieve optimal wellness and health with a corresponding meal plan based on your food allergy or sensitivity.  Say goodbye to tummy discomfort, pain, bloating, nausea, irritable bowel, or other allergic reactions.  Together, we’ll create a comprehensive nutrition program that allows you to enjoy food again while becoming the healthiest version of yourself.