Health and nutrition has a lot of lingo that can get confusing. For instance, what is the difference between having a food allergy vs. a food sensitivity? Let’s learn a little about both with a quick breakdown before discussing how to find out if you are being affected by food allergies and sensitivities.
The main difference between food allergies and a sensitivity (or food intolerance) is the way your body responds. With a food allergy, your immune system causes the reaction. If you have a food sensitivity, the reaction is triggered by the digestive system. Other contrasts include symptoms, severity in reactions and treatments.
Food Allergies – This is when your immune system identifies a protein in what you eat as an invader, and reacts by producing antibodies to fight it.
Symptoms:
- skin reactions, like hives, swelling, and itching
- digestive symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating
- anaphylaxis, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, and death
Treatments:
- avoidance of foods that trigger reactions
- self-injectable epinephrine, a first-aid treatment of anaphylaxis
- Emergency room visit in extreme cases
Most common food allergies:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- shellfish
- peanuts
- tree nuts
- wheat
- soybeans
Food Sensitivities – (more common) An intolerance and inability to process or digest a food.
Symptoms:
- gas and bloating
- diarrhea
- constipation
- cramping
- nausea
Some causes of food sensitivities:
- not producing the right enzymes you need to digest a certain food
- adverse reactions to food additives or preservatives like sulfites, MSG, or artificial colors
- pharmacological factors, like sensitivity to caffeine or other chemicals
- acute response to the sugars naturally found in certain foods like onions, broccoli, or brussels sprouts
Treatment:
- As food sensitivities are not life-threatening, simply avoiding particular foods is usually sufficient
Now that we know a little bit about food allergies and sensitivities, how can you find out if you are affected?
Among other services, TNT offers Mediator Release Testing (MRT). This test determines the degree of food sensitivities and chemical reactions. MRT testing also addresses health problems through immune-reactions to specific foods. This test includes coaching expertise from a Certified LEAP (Lifestyle Eating and Performance) Therapist.
According to healthline.com, “A small study presented at an American College of Gastroenterology conference found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who followed an elimination diet based on MRT results for at least one month reported a 67% improvement in gut issues, such as diarrhea.”
If you’re ready to gain the most out of your nutrition, heighten your performance and possibly end food-related suffering, then Total Nutrition Technology is the place for you.
For more nutritional information and your Free Consultation, contact TNT today.
Email: information@tntgetfit.com
Phone: 704-549-9550
https://tntgetfit.com/services/
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