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By Linda A. Kiley, MD
One of the common complaints I hear from patients when they come into the office for a visit is abdominal bloating. I also see patients with chronic constipation, other types of bowel disturbances, skin and lung problems along with fatigue and a host of other symptoms that may seem unrelated to their stated issue. A common thread among these complaints is the periodic worsening or improving of symptoms seemingly without any cause. In some cases, I see patients with multiple immune system related problems such as chronic pain, lupus, fibromyalgia, urinary tract infections, and a host of other similar problems with some common periodic symptom in the gut. We start to talk about what they are eating and drinking, and in many cases, they seem to have a fairly healthy diet. However, one of the important things to realize about living in the modern world is that our food supply has changed, and because of mass production, common practices in terms of pesticide use, growth factors and taking food before it has ripened naturally and treating it to make it appear ripened creates a set of exposures that our ancestors didn’t have to deal with. Some of the things used in mass food production actually get into the food, and the byproducts bind with proteins in the plant itself, creating something unique to present to the gut and the body’s immune system. When the substance is presented to the gut and the immune system, it may trigger a mild reaction leading to an immune response. Although this response is not a typical allergic reaction, the irritation of the intestinal lining by the presence of this food may create a situation wherein the protective tight junctions between the cells in the gut are opened up exposing the immune system to these compounds. This then leads to the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body which in turn creates a negative effect on the microorganisms living in the intestine (the gut microbiome) leading to suboptimal digestion, increased gas production, impaired nutrient absorption and in some cases, a chronic immune response creating problems in other parts of the body. When I see someone who has suspicious complaints, I recommend food sensitivity testing in order to determine what foods and food additives may be causing this problem or worsening it. The advantage of doing testing is that we don’t need to put someone on a random diet that is not customized to their particular needs and sensitivities. Some of the common diets we prescribe for Interstitial Cystitis, Irritable Bowel syndrome and other inflammatory problems can be helpful but are not specific enough. A food sensitivity test is an excellent way to determine what specific foods are likely to cause the greatest problems and then create a customized plan to help the gut, and the rest of the body, begin to heal. We perform food sensitivity testing on a regular basis for our patients in an effort to help them achieve optimal health and wellness as well as more appropriately treat their specific problems. If you have symptoms that do not seem to respond to the standard dietary changes, or if you have an autoimmune issue, you might benefit from food sensitivity testing.
Contact our office at 561-671-0041 to learn more about food sensitivity testing and achieving your optimal health and wellness.
Ultra Health and Wellness
561-671-0041
Linda Kiley, MD
3375 Burns Road, Suite 204
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
www.ultrahw.com
