Take the Guesswork Out of Your Diet
You’re following what is thought to be a “healthy diet”:
You’re eating whole grains instead of refined grains.
You’re having several vegetable servings every day.
You’re eating delicious fruits instead of high-sugar snacks.
You’re even having organic sources of dairy, meats, and produce.
…and so, it’s a mystery as to why you’re still having trouble with:
– IBS
– Gas & Bloating
– Constipation
– Feeling “Heavy”
– Weight Gain
– Fatigue
– Brain Fog
– Migraines
– Skin Conditions
While many high-sugar and highly processed junk foods contribute to poor health, some “healthy” foods can also cause health issues. What I’m describing are your FOOD SENSITIVITIES! Food sensitivities are foods that trigger immune system reactions. Fortunately, we have lab testing that can detect your unique food sensitivities.
I should clarify that food sensitivities are different from food allergies and food intolerances, which I will describe below:
Food Intolerances:
These are non-immune food reactions. Intolerances occur when you don’t digest foods well (i.e. lactose intolerance) or when you react to chemicals in food (i.e. histamines).
Food Allergies:
These are severe immune reactions to foods that develop within minutes and typically involve hives and breathing difficulties. These reactions occur when IgE antibodies reacts to a food.
Food Sensitivities:
These are immune reactions to foods that are more subtle and take hours or days to develop. These reactions occur when IgG (or IgA) antibodies reacts to a food.
Mild IgG antibody responses to foods is normal. The antibodies bind to food antigens and form a complex, which are broken down by macrophages (an immune cell). However, when reactions to foods are more severe or frequent, the macrophages can’t clear these immune complexes, and they deposit in various tissues. This triggers chronic inflammation, leading to symptoms and chronic health conditions.
When we suspect a patient’s symptoms result from food sensitivities, we send them for food sensitivity blood testing. This test identifies up to 220 food sensitivity reactions – including dairy products, grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, meats, nuts, seeds, legumes, and more! Once we determine your food sensitivities, we develop a treatment plan to reduce or eliminate those foods.
I have used food sensitivity testing for over ten years and many chronic health conditions improve significantly when we identify and eliminate sensitivities! The most common conditions that I have seen improve with food sensitivity testing are:
– Eczema & Psoriasis
– ADHD
– Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
– Autoimmune conditions
– Digestive conditions
There are several studies showing the beneficial effects of food sensitivity testing for a wide range of health conditions:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A 2004 double-blind study showed that patients who eliminated their food sensitivities for 3 months had a significant reduction in IBS symptoms (1).
Migraine: A 2010 randomized, double-blind study showed there was a significant reduction in the number of headache days and the total number of headaches in subjects who eliminated food sensitivities over a 6 week period. (2).
Weight Loss: In 120 subjects who eliminated their food sensitivities for 90 days, they lost an average of 1 pound per week, 3 inches from the hips, and 1.5 inches from the waist (3).
Overall Health: A 2007 study followed over 5000 patients who had a food sensitivity test done. Of the 70% that eliminated their sensitivities, patients reported a moderate-high benefit in the following (4):
– Digestive symptoms (80%)
– Lung symptoms (72%)
– Neurological symptoms (78%)
– Skin symptoms (76%)
– Joint symptoms (64%)
– Cognitive symptoms (81%)
As you can see, Food Sensitivity Testing allows you to take a much more targeted approach to following a healthy diet. This test is very useful for everyone, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Contact our Naturopathic Clinic now to have your Food Sensitivity Test done!
Dr. Michael Morsillo, H.B.Sc., N.D.
Newmarket Naturopathic Doctor
16655 Yonge St., Newmarket, ON
905-898-1844 ext. 135
dr.morsillo@gmail.com
www.drmorsillo.com
References:
- Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N et al. “Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.” Gut. Vol. 53 (2004): 1459–1464.
- Alpay K, Ertas M, Orhan EK et al. “Diet restriction in migraine, based on IgG against foods: A clinical double-blind, a randomized cross-over trial.” Cephalalgia Vol. 30.No. 7 (2010): 829-37.
- Lewis JE, Woolger JM, Mellilo A, et al. “Eliminating Immunologically-Reactive Foods from the Diet and its Effect on Body Composition and Quality of Life in Overweight Persons.” J Obes Weig los Ther Vol. 2.No. 1 (2012): 1-6.
- Hardman G, Hart G. “Dietary advice based on food-specific IgG results.” Nutr Food Sci Vol. 37.No. 1 (2007): 16-23.