You have probably heard of that old saying, “Let Food Be Thy Medicine” and perhaps you are starting to wonder if the food you are eating is your medicine or perhaps it is actually making you sick. If you have an allergy to peanuts, you know they make you sick because they cause symptoms such as hives, rashes, itchy or tingling of the mouth, tightening of the throat, shortness of breath, tightening of the chest. The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis and it can result in death. But, if you have a sensitivity (intolerance) to something, you may not realize that it is making you sick.
The difference between the two is that an allergy involves the immune system and a food sensitivity is the inability to fully digest food but it does not involve a reaction from the immune system. An example of this is lactose intolerance which is caused by an enzyme deficiency causing an inability to digest lactose. This is a commonly known sensitivity but did you know that more than 75% of all people have some kind of food sensitivity. Discovering yours may be a simple natural cure for nagging and long-term health issues that are correlated to food sensitivities:
- Stomach and digestive tract: bloating, diarrhea, IBS, constipation, irritable bowel, colitis etc.
- Lungs and breathing: chronic cough, asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, itchy, runny or blocked nose, etc.
- Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, itchy skin, acne, circles under eyes, rashes, hives, puffiness, etc.
- Nervous system: chronic headache, behavioural, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, memory and mood issues
- Muscle and bone: stiff joints, arthritis, gout
- Reproductive: fertility concerns, PMS, menopause, etc.
- Immune system: Allergies and the ability to fight infections, ear infections, itchy or watery eyes
- Malabsorption: nutrient deficiencies, anemia, osteoporosis etc.
- General: Weight gain, fatigue, etc.
At Innate Health Centre, our primary method of assessing food sensitivities is Electrodermal Screening (EDS). A blunt, non-invasive electric probe is placed at specific points on the patient’s hands, face or feet which correspond to acupuncture points. Electrodermal screening measures the electrical resistance on the skin’s surface and this information is used to detect imbalances.