| Amanda Mellowspring, MS,RD,LD |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| empowerment@eatfromtheearth.com |
Food Reactions |
*An important note regarding food reactions: Many providers offer testing for
food allergies & food reactions. The information provided herein is solely from a
food-based perspective & is not intended to support or discount other testing
methods. It is often helpful to bring results from food allergy testing to our sessions
to be sure that our goals work in conjunction with results received.
Food Allergies
Definition: Food allergies, narrowly defined, are food reactions that cause a rapid
anaphylactic reaction in the body. An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction,
manifested generally by rash, itching, & swelling, particularly affecting breathing.
Food allergies also include immuno-deficient reactions that may result in severe
degradation of health status with continued consumption.
Example: An example of food allergies includes a reaction requiring immediate
medical attention due to the consumption of or exposure to an allergen. Common
food allergens include peanuts & strawberries, but may include any foods. An
immuno-deficient reaction requiring medical assessment & avoidance includes gluten
exposure for individuals with Celiac Disease.
Treatment: Individuals with known food allergies should avoid foods with any trace
of the allergen. It is highly recommended that these individuals carry an epi-pen in
case of exposure, although an epi-pen should not be used for gluten exposure in
individuals with Celiac. Awareness of food ingredients supports this treatment model.
Food Intolerances
Definition: Food intolerances are defined as food reactions, generally resulting in
gastrointestinal discomfort & poor digestion. Intolerances typically result from an
inability for the body to properly digest a particular component of the food consumed.
Example: An example of food intolerances include abdominal gas, bloating, &
possibly diarrhea following the ingestion of dairy. This is referred to as lactose
intolerance.
Treatment: There are 2 treatment models for food intolerances. The first is
avoidance of foods containing the component creating the reaction. Awareness of
food ingredients supports this approach. The second treatment model is to support
the digestive process when consuming foods containing the potential culprit
ingredient. Supporting the digestive process may occur by including fermented foods
&/or enzyme supplementation.
Food intolerances can occur in healthy individuals due to ethnic pre-disposition,
natural aging, or rapidly increasing consumption of a particular food after a period of
decreased intake.
Food Sensitivities
Definition: Food sensitivities include a wide array of individualized food reactions
not requiring prompt medical intervention. Food sensitivities generally result from
poor digestive health.
Example: An example of food sensitivities may be eczema after eating wheat
consistently or migraine headaches after enjoying nightshades, like tomatoes,
peppers, & eggplants. Irritable bowel syndrome is also highly correlated with food
sensitivities.
Treatment: Treating food sensitivities should initially begin with assessing
food/reaction connections by working with a nutritionist knowledgeable in using a
food elimination/challenge protocol. Once food sensitivities have been clarified,
rebuilding the health of the digestive system is pivotal. Because these reactions are
due to poor digestive health, it is possible to heal the gut & heal the food sensitivity,
in turn. In relation to the consumption of foods you are sensitive to, there are 3
options. The first is to avoid these foods, although avoiding these foods can
unnecessarily limit your food selection & could potentially lead to greater food
sensitivity. Depending on the health of the gut, it may be necessary to use this
approach while healing the digestive tract. A second option is to follow a food
approach that rotates the intake of these sensitive foods – this approach is often
needed while working to heal the gut & often with individuals with a large number of
food sensitivities or sensitivities that encompass the majority of a significant food
group. The third option may often follow the first or second option & is the ideal
outcome of any food sensitivity treatment protocol – the reintroduction of the
previous food culprit. Once the digestive tract is healed & supported in staying
healthy, previous food sensitivity reactions should not return. It is important to note
that continued intake of foods producing a sensitivity reaction without healing the gut
can lead to an immune reaction, increasing the chances of food allergy reactions.
Poor digestive health resulting in food sensitivities can be due to a multitude of
reasons that may be explored with your provider – not being breastfed as a baby,
illness, alcohol abuse, laxative use, & many reasons we may not find. The most
important recommendation if you are suspicious that you may have food sensitivities
is to work with a nutritionist to explore this together & heal your body – remember
that the unwarranted elimination of foods from your diet is rarely the best option.
This information has been made available for informational purposes only. It is not
intended to diagnose. If you are interested in more information regarding food
reactions, please contact me or seek additional health care support.
food allergies & food reactions. The information provided herein is solely from a
food-based perspective & is not intended to support or discount other testing
methods. It is often helpful to bring results from food allergy testing to our sessions
to be sure that our goals work in conjunction with results received.
Food Allergies
Definition: Food allergies, narrowly defined, are food reactions that cause a rapid
anaphylactic reaction in the body. An anaphylactic reaction is an allergic reaction,
manifested generally by rash, itching, & swelling, particularly affecting breathing.
Food allergies also include immuno-deficient reactions that may result in severe
degradation of health status with continued consumption.
Example: An example of food allergies includes a reaction requiring immediate
medical attention due to the consumption of or exposure to an allergen. Common
food allergens include peanuts & strawberries, but may include any foods. An
immuno-deficient reaction requiring medical assessment & avoidance includes gluten
exposure for individuals with Celiac Disease.
Treatment: Individuals with known food allergies should avoid foods with any trace
of the allergen. It is highly recommended that these individuals carry an epi-pen in
case of exposure, although an epi-pen should not be used for gluten exposure in
individuals with Celiac. Awareness of food ingredients supports this treatment model.
Food Intolerances
Definition: Food intolerances are defined as food reactions, generally resulting in
gastrointestinal discomfort & poor digestion. Intolerances typically result from an
inability for the body to properly digest a particular component of the food consumed.
Example: An example of food intolerances include abdominal gas, bloating, &
possibly diarrhea following the ingestion of dairy. This is referred to as lactose
intolerance.
Treatment: There are 2 treatment models for food intolerances. The first is
avoidance of foods containing the component creating the reaction. Awareness of
food ingredients supports this approach. The second treatment model is to support
the digestive process when consuming foods containing the potential culprit
ingredient. Supporting the digestive process may occur by including fermented foods
&/or enzyme supplementation.
Food intolerances can occur in healthy individuals due to ethnic pre-disposition,
natural aging, or rapidly increasing consumption of a particular food after a period of
decreased intake.
Food Sensitivities
Definition: Food sensitivities include a wide array of individualized food reactions
not requiring prompt medical intervention. Food sensitivities generally result from
poor digestive health.
Example: An example of food sensitivities may be eczema after eating wheat
consistently or migraine headaches after enjoying nightshades, like tomatoes,
peppers, & eggplants. Irritable bowel syndrome is also highly correlated with food
sensitivities.
Treatment: Treating food sensitivities should initially begin with assessing
food/reaction connections by working with a nutritionist knowledgeable in using a
food elimination/challenge protocol. Once food sensitivities have been clarified,
rebuilding the health of the digestive system is pivotal. Because these reactions are
due to poor digestive health, it is possible to heal the gut & heal the food sensitivity,
in turn. In relation to the consumption of foods you are sensitive to, there are 3
options. The first is to avoid these foods, although avoiding these foods can
unnecessarily limit your food selection & could potentially lead to greater food
sensitivity. Depending on the health of the gut, it may be necessary to use this
approach while healing the digestive tract. A second option is to follow a food
approach that rotates the intake of these sensitive foods – this approach is often
needed while working to heal the gut & often with individuals with a large number of
food sensitivities or sensitivities that encompass the majority of a significant food
group. The third option may often follow the first or second option & is the ideal
outcome of any food sensitivity treatment protocol – the reintroduction of the
previous food culprit. Once the digestive tract is healed & supported in staying
healthy, previous food sensitivity reactions should not return. It is important to note
that continued intake of foods producing a sensitivity reaction without healing the gut
can lead to an immune reaction, increasing the chances of food allergy reactions.
Poor digestive health resulting in food sensitivities can be due to a multitude of
reasons that may be explored with your provider – not being breastfed as a baby,
illness, alcohol abuse, laxative use, & many reasons we may not find. The most
important recommendation if you are suspicious that you may have food sensitivities
is to work with a nutritionist to explore this together & heal your body – remember
that the unwarranted elimination of foods from your diet is rarely the best option.
This information has been made available for informational purposes only. It is not
intended to diagnose. If you are interested in more information regarding food
reactions, please contact me or seek additional health care support.