Food sensitivities affect approximately 3 million Americans every year, afflicting these individuals with everything from bloating, to gas, to nausea, to diarrhea, and more. Differing from food allergies, food sensitivities are never fatal and usually take a few days to present themselves.
Looking to learn more about food sensitivities? This article has you covered. Below, we’re not only going to explain what exactly food sensitivities are, we’re also going to explain the foods that commonly cause them and the symptoms that typically present themselves when they exist.
What are Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities are small reactions that our bodies have to specific foods. While they’re less extreme than food allergies, they can still have adverse effects. These sensitivities affect not only our physical health, but our psychological health as well, with symptoms generally presenting themselves a few days after certain foods have been eaten.
As of now, medical researchers are still unsure of what causes food sensitivities. However, it’s believed that they occur as a result of the way that certain antibodies react to certain foods.
Regardless of what causes food sensitivities, a Chicago Osteopathic Physician can help to treat them. This treatment typically includes the establishment of a diet plan.
Common Foods That Cause Sensitivity
As was stated above, there are certain foods that cause food sensitivities. These foods include the following.
Dairy
While some individuals are unable to eat dairy due to lactose intolerance, other individuals are unable to eat dairy due to sensitivities. Everything from milk, to cheese, to yogurt, to ice cream, and more can cause a food sensitivity in some people.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein that exists in wheat, rye, and barley. While it’s hugely harmful for those with Celiac Disease, it can also have negative effects in individuals without the disease. In other words, keeping your bread intake to a minimum can be very beneficial.
Additives
All foods containing additives run the risk of causing food sensitivities. If you suffer from sensitivities, you should make sure to eat only whole foods.
Eggs
Do you enjoy eating an egg or two for breakfast? If so, you could be prone to food sensitivity. While beneficial in a number of ways, eggs are also notorious for their ill effects.
Shellfish
All types of shellfish can cause food sensitivities. These include crabs, oysters, lobsters, shrimp, and scallops, to name just a few.
Symptoms of Food Sensitivities
The symptoms of food sensitivities are both physical and psychological, presenting themselves in a range of severities. As noted above, these symptoms will often crop up a few days after a specific food has been eaten.
Physical symptoms can include eczema, runny nose, congestion, acid reflux, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. These gastrointestinal issues can vary from bloating, to diarrhea, to flatulence, and more. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is prominent in many individuals as well.
The psychological symptoms of food sensitivities include depression, anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings. Affected individuals might also appear fatigued and aggravated.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can be characteristic of other health issues as well. For this reason, in order to get to the root of the problem, you should speak with Chicago nutritionist or Chicago Osteopathic physician.
Schedule an Appointment with an Osteopathic Physician or Nutritionist in Chicago
Do you deal with food sensitivities? Are you looking to speak with a certified nutritionist in Chicago? If so, the Feely Center for Optimal Health has you covered.
Featuring a team of experienced nutrition specialists, we’ve helped a number of Chicagoland residents to treat their food sensitivities. We would be glad to help you as well.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
