Food sensitivity testing can be a valuable tool to determine what foods are triggering your immune system, but they can also be confusing for those who don’t know how to interpret them properly.  Food allergies and sensitivities are a component in many disorders, especially those of an autoimmune nature.

What does it mean when food sensitivity tests come back with so many foods that it seems you are sensitive to EVERYTHING?

In my practice, I work with food sensitivity tests often.  Though it has its downsides and controversy, I’ve found food sensitivity testing to be a pretty reliable indicator of the overall health of the gut and the foods that are stimulating an immune system response.  Eliminating these foods and incorporating gut healing protocols has brought very good results for many of my clients, especially those suffering from autoimmune disorders.

IgG food sensitivity tests often have severity levels attached to sensitivities.  For example, a person may be sensitive to dairy at a level 5, eggs, at a level 4, and almonds at a level 2.

Encountering many foods, as well as very severe foods on a sensitivity assay is an indicator of overall poor health of the gut.  When a person comes back with many different food sensitivities, especially sensitivities to foods they consume often, it can indicate intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”.

In leaky gut, the barrier keeping foods out of the blood stream has broken down.  Many factors contribute to this including consuming foods one is intolerant to.  For example, continually consuming dairy, though you are lactose-intolerant, and triggering diarrhea, can eventually break down the gut lining and contribute to food sensitivity.  Other things like strong NSAIDs can promote intestinal permeability as well.

So what is the correct approach?

Each person has an individual and unique situation.  In most cases, eliminating or drastically reducing exposure to these foods while incorporating a gut healing protocol with high quality probiotics and PRP powder, along with bone broth and other healing foods can heal these food sensitivities over time.  However, this is a tricky process and is really best undertaken with the help of a functional nutritionist.

Learning your food sensitivities can be a valuable tool in understanding your overall health.  For those with autoimmune disease, eliminating food sensitivities can help reduce symptoms and get you feeling much better!

If you’d like more information on how to find your food sensitivities and improve your health, contact me here.