When it comes to allergic reactions to food, we can all agree it is a real concern. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, drop in blood pressure, or simply feeling like something awful is about to happen are frightening symptoms that can be experienced when an individual consumes food that he or she is allergic too. When an individual consumes a particular food and it results in more subtle symptoms, which occur within 3 to 72 hours following consumption, is that a food allergy? No. Actually, that would be classified as a food sensitivity.
Antibodies are proteins that attack antigens to keep our body healthy. Some examples of antigens are bacteria, viruses and allergens. Antibodies can sometimes become confused, and as a result the antibodies will attack food proteins as well. These attacks can occur in the form of a food allergy, as discussed previously. Or, these attacks can occur in the form of a food sensitivity. Food sensitivities result in more mild, chronic symptoms with a delayed onset, usually within 3 to 72 hours following consumption. Regular exposure to foods that your body may be sensitive to contributes to poor gut health and chronic, low-grade inflammation. Symptoms associated with food sensitivities include:
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep
- Gas or bloating
- Gastro esophageal reflux
- Diarrhea or soft stool
- Hives or rash
- Eczema
- Edema
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Headache or migraine
- Decreased immune function
At OBI BioAesthetic Institute, we offer Integrative Medicine services, including dietary antigen testing for our patients exhibiting symptoms suggestive of food sensitivities. A simple blood test can reveal a profile of food sensitivities that can be holding you back from feeling your best. Once empowered with accurate information to what foods ignite your symptoms, a plan can be formulated with you to help optimize your health.
The team at OBI BioAesthetic Institute invites you to bridge the best you, from the inside – out. Call today 904-273-5454 to schedule your personalized Aesthetic Medicine consultation with Gerrie M. Obi, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CPSN.
