Food sensitivities, also known as food intolerances, are rising, leaving many people wondering why their bodies react negatively to everyday foods. Unlike severe food allergies that can cause life-threatening allergic reactions sometimes, food sensitivities often result in frustrating and uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, or fatigue. If you are dealing with these issues and constantly asking yourself “Why do I have so many food sensitivities?”, you are not alone; there are ways to identify the root cause and find relief. This post will dive into what causes food sensitivities, common symptoms of food sensitivities, and how you can begin to heal through diet, lifestyle changes, and innovative techniques like brain retraining.
At re-origin, we help people with chronic health conditions like food intolerance and chemical sensitivities learn to rewire their brains’ response to symptoms through the power of neuroplasticity. Brain retraining can help you reduce symptoms and heal your body’s response to certain foods. Learn more about the re-origin program here.
What is Food Sensitivity?
Food sensitivities occur when the body has difficulty digesting certain foods or food components. Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system, food sensitivities primarily affect the digestive system, leading to abdominal pain, bloating, or stomach upset¹.
Why Do I Have so Many Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities can stem from various causes:
- Enzyme deficiencies: An example is lactose intolerance, where the body lacks sufficient lactase enzyme to digest lactose in dairy products².
- Immune system response: Though food sensitivities are not immune-mediated, like allergies, the immune system may play a subtle role, especially when reacting to natural chemicals in foods.
- Gut health and inflammation: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity may make the gut more sensitive to specific foods, leading to symptoms³.
- Food additives: Some individuals react to food additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG), preservatives, or dyes, which can cause adverse reactions⁴.
- Limbic system impairment: The limbic system, a part of the brain involved in processing emotions and regulating the fight or flight response, can become overactive in individuals with chronic stress or trauma. This overactivity can heighten the body’s reaction to certain foods, leading to sensitivities. When the limbic system is heightened, it may send signals that misinterpret specific foods as threats, leading to symptoms like digestive distress or fatigue. Techniques like brain retraining have shown promise in calming this overactivity and reducing food sensitivities⁵.
What Are the Signs of Food Sensitivity?
Symptoms of food sensitivity can be varied and may include:
- Digestive problems: Issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, or stomach pain are among the most common signs.
- Skin reactions: Rashes or hives can occur due to sensitivities.
- Fatigue and headaches: Sensitivities may lead to headaches or fatigue after consuming a particular food.
- Respiratory issues: Though rare, respiratory symptoms such as trouble breathing may occur, especially in severe reactions⁶.
Common Food Sensitivities
Certain foods are more likely to cause sensitivities due to their composition or the body’s ability to process them. Some common foods linked to sensitivities include:
- Dairy products: Many people experience lactose intolerance due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase.
- Gluten: Those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease can experience digestive discomfort from wheat, barley, or rye.
- Citrus fruits: Some individuals are sensitive to the acids in citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons.
- Soy and food additives: Foods like soy sauce and processed foods containing preservatives may trigger reactions.
- Dried fruits: Sulfites, a common preservative in dried fruit, can cause issues for sensitive individuals¹.
Can You Overcome Food Sensitivities?
In many cases, food sensitivities can be managed and, in some cases, eliminated. Here are some key strategies:
- Gut health restoration: Improving gut health through diet and lifestyle changes, reducing inflammation, and supporting the microbiome can improve tolerance.
- Brain retraining: A growing body of research shows that brain retraining techniques, like those used in the re-origin program, can help reduce food sensitivities. By retraining the brain to regulate the fight or flight response and calm the nervous system, people can become less reactive to triggering foods. This approach has shown promise in helping individuals with multiple food sensitivities, allowing the brain to unlearn overactive protective responses to certain foods⁵.
- Food diaries: Tracking what you eat and the symptoms that follow can help identify patterns and food triggers. This data can be shared with a healthcare professional to guide treatment.
- Elimination diet: This involves removing problematic foods from your diet and reintroducing them slowly to identify triggers⁷.
A Path Toward Healing Food Sensitivities
Living with food sensitivities can feel overwhelming, but there is hope. Whether your triggers are due to gut health issues, enzyme deficiencies, or an overactive limbic system, understanding the root cause of your sensitivities is the first step toward recovery. Adopting strategies such as gut health restoration and incorporating brain retraining techniques can calm your body’s heightened responses and regain control of your relationship with food. Healing is possible, and with persistence, you can enjoy a more balanced and fulfilling life, free from the discomfort of food sensitivities.
At re-origin, we help people with chronic health conditions like food intolerance and chemical sensitivities learn to rewire their brains’ responses to symptoms through the power of neuroplasticity. Learn more about the re-origin program here.
FAQs:
Is it common to have multiple food intolerances?
Yes, it is common to experience multiple food intolerances when eating foods, especially if you have an underlying digestive condition like IBS or celiac disease⁷.
Can hormone imbalance cause food sensitivities?
Yes, hormonal imbalances can contribute to certain food sensitivities by affecting the gut lining and immune system, making the body less tolerant of certain foods⁴.
What do food sensitivities do to your body?
Food sensitivities can cause various symptoms, including digestive problems, skin issues, and fatigue. The body reacts to the offending food by triggering an inflammatory response, causing discomfort and symptoms³.
What happens if you keep eating food I am intolerant to?
Continuing to eat foods you are sensitive to can lead to chronic inflammation, digestive issues, and potential nutrient malabsorption. Over time, this may exacerbate symptoms and lead to more severe health issues².
What foods are associated with intolerance?
Common foods associated with intolerance include dairy products, gluten, soy, citrus fruits, and food additives like MSG and sulfites¹.
