Food Intolerances
Food intolerance is a broad term that can mean any reaction to certain foods leading to digestive issues or immune activation.
Food intolerance testing can ambiguous and should be carefully interpreted. Reducing gut damage/ inflammation, restoring bacterial balance and healing leaky gut is usually better at tackling the root cause of food intolerances so that a good variety of food can be re-introduced as soon as possible.
Key Facts
- A food intolerance test measures an immune reaction to foods. Maldigestion of food and specifically proteins can lead to an exaggerated immune response as the body reacts to protein particles that it doesn’t normally recognise
- Gut inflammation, damage to the protective lining or leaky gut allows food particles or ‘antigens’ to travel into the blood stream causing these immune reactions
- Some bacterial imbalances can cause reactions to food especially wheat and dairy. Restoring bacterial balance or treating SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) can allow tolerance of these foods again
- Some food intolerances or more serious conditions like coeliac disease could be lifelong. Adjusting your diet and ensuring that you are getting enough nutrients and fibre on a restricted diet is essential to maintain a healthy microbiome
Best Test Options
Gut Health & Microbiome – GI Ecologix
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth SIBO Breath test
Food Intolerance Test – Food Map IgG
Candida IgG Tests
Patient Story
History
Garvan attended our clinic with extreme bloating, burping after meals, reflux and discomfort. He had chronic constipation.
He had tested positive for methane-producing bacteria on a SIBO breath test but antibiotic treatment and other remedies from his gastroenterologist were ineffective. He had been on a restrictive diet for many months before attending our clinic as a way to manage symptoms and also avoided sugar.
Tests
Garvan carried out a gut microbiome analysis which showed high bile acids, probably related to a diet low in fibre, high in saturated fats .
Although his digestive capacity and inflammatory markers were normal, he had extremely low levels of beneficial bacteria – something that can happen with a longer term restrictive diet which can have long term consequences to gut and immune health.
Plan
Garvan started a targeted supplement protocol to reduce methane-producing bacteria while also tackling biofilm which may have reduced the efficacy of his antibiotics previously.
He reduced intake of red meat and added more colour and variety based on his tolerances, expanding his diet as his symptoms reduced.
Outcome
Garvan slowly re-introduced many foods, including vegetables from his own garden that he previously had to give away. He restored his diet to his previously good wholefood diet and increased intake of fibres without symptoms. He was also able to manage a meal out without worrying.
“I can pretty much eat what I want now. I am much less anxious about what I am eating”
