Food Sensitivities: Understanding the Hidden Triggers Behind Your Symptoms

Food Sensitivities: Understanding the Hidden Triggers Behind Your Symptoms

Food sensitivities are becoming an increasingly common health concern, affecting how many people feel after eating certain foods, yet they often go unnoticed or misunderstood. From digestive issues to fatigue, headaches, and even skin problems, the impact of food sensitivities can affect your daily life in unexpected ways. In this post, we’ll dive into what food sensitivities are, how they are different from a food allergy or food intolerance, and practical strategies for managing them to improve your overall well-being.

What is the difference between a food allergy, intolerance and sensitivity?

A food allergy is an immune response causing itchy or swelling mouth/tongue, hives, wheezing/cough and in some cases a life threatening reaction. Our immune system is responsible for defending our body, and when it detects a substance as harmful it overreacts producing an antibody called IgE causing the symptoms . Common food allergens include dairy, nuts, wheat, egg and shellfish. The only method to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the food allergen or undergo allergy testing.

A food intolerance typically refers to difficulty digesting a certain food commonly leading to symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea. A food intolerance may be caused by an enzyme deficiency. Our digestive enzymes are proteins that our bodies make to break down food and digest meals, and when we do not have enough, that’s when we see symptoms. A common food intolerance is with lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Our body typically produces lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, but over time we can start making less, leading to intolerance. The best method to avoid symptoms is to limit the amount of food we are intolerant to. In the example of lactose intolerance, one solution could be purchasing lactose free dairy products or considering a lactase supplement.

A food sensitivity is an immune response causing bloating, abdominal pain, headaches, and skin reactions. Similar to an allergy, our immune system responds but instead of producing IgE, an antibody called IgG is produced. This may also cause inflammation due to our body’s complement cascade, activated by an antigen called C3d. A food sensitivity may present as vague symptoms and could occur as a delayed reaction up to 72 hours that is not life threatening. Food sensitivity may be caused by enzyme deficiency, genetics, leaky gut syndrome or an imbalance of gut bacteria. Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the intestinal lining allows undigested food to enter the bloodstream, which can trigger inflammatory responses and may cause further food sensitivities. An imbalance of gut bacteria may also trigger an immune response and cause chronic inflammation. The best way to identify food sensitivities is through food testing which will be described below.

Food Sensitivity Testing

In looking at food sensitivities, a quick internet search will take you to multiple tests but each of these are slightly different. The food inflammation test 176 also know as the FIT test is a test by KBMO that measures IgG and other immune complexes to evaluate food sensitivities. Other tests on the market look at only a few foods or only the IgG pathway, while the FIT test looks at a variety of foods, colors and food additives, along with multiple immune and inflammatory pathways. By looking at these specific immune pathways, the test has a very low risk for false-positives, ensuring confidence in the cause of inflammation. The KBMO test is a do-it-yourself and is collected from the comfort of your home with a quick finger stick. The test is just a few simple steps: order the test, fill out the patient form, collect 5 drops of blood onto the test card from a finger stick and then mail it back to the lab. You will receive your test results after 7-14 days in a color- based report that includes a meal plan curated specifically for you from a dietitian. The FIT test also includes a Gut Barrier panel to look at your potential for developing leaky gut.

At PharmToTable, our pharmacists specialize in functional medicine, adopting a lifestyle-based approach to healthcare. Our team includes health coaches who are here to guide you in initiating positive changes to enhance your well-being. If you suspect that food may be contributing to your symptoms, the KBMO FIT test is perfect for you. It’s simple to complete, and once you receive your results, our team will help you develop a personalized gut healing plan. Check out our PharmToTable store for the KBMO food inflammation test for more information or schedule a free 15-minute discovery call today.

Written by Jill Gould, PharmD Candidate 2025, edited by Lindsey Dalton, PharmD

References:
Campos M. Food allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity: What’s the difference, and why does it matter? Harvard Health. January 30, 2020. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/food-allergy-intolerance-or-sensitivity-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter-2020013018736.

Li J. Food allergy vs. food intolerance: What’s the difference? Mayo Clinic. February 28, 2024. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/expert-answers/food-allergy/faq-20058538.

Food intolerance defined. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. July 8, 2024. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/allergy,-asthma-immunology-glossary/food-intolerance-defined.

Food intolerance versus food allergy. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. December 27, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/food-intolerance.

Lactose intolerance. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lactose-intolerance#:~:text=Lactose%20is%20a%20sugar%20found,your%20body%20can%20absorb%20it.

Hirsch L, ed. What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? (for parents) | nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. January 2021. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/allergy-intolerance.html.

Food sensitivity explained – blog: Everlywell: Home Health Testing Made Easy. Everlywell. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.everlywell.com/blog/food-sensitivity/food-sensitivity-explained/?srsltid=AfmBOop8J6ptRq605rldzCvFUoxPBsZjmRCsIBPZmEX6pvK5qUhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.everlywell.com%2Fblog%2Ffood-sensitivity%2Ffood-sensitivity-explained%2F%3Fsrsltid.