Food Allergies/Intolerances

We address a full range of gastrointestinal disorders including Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, interstitial cystitis, gout, gastritis, IBS, reflux, and GERD. We can help you find relief from uncomfortable symptoms, such as indigestion, bloating, diarrhea or constipation by getting to the root of the problem- likely food allergies or intolerance.

Food allergies and intolerances, those of which you may not realize you have, can also cause inflammation and chronic over activation of your immune system. These reactions may cause digestive problems, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin disorders and various autoimmune conditions. Reactions can even contribute to behavioral conditions such as ADD/ADHD, Autism, and Asperger’s syndrome. We can help you identify these problematic foods through an elimination diet and/or food intolerance blood testing. From there we will help you create a meal plan based upon the foods you can eat.

Three of the main culprits of digestive issues are:

• Wheat/Gluten intolerance
  Allergic reactions to wheat may include reactions in the skin, mouth, lungs, and GI tract. Allergies to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, rye and contaminated oats, also exhibit symptoms including gassiness, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Celiac disease is the most extreme case of gluten intolerance and is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system starts attacking normal tissue, such as intestinal tissue, in response to eating gluten. Because celiac disease causes damage to the intestines, it puts a person at risk for nutritional deficiencies. In all cases, wheat and gluten need to be eliminated from the diet. We can help you to identify these intolerances and help fit a gluten free diet into your current lifestyle. We will teach you the tools needed to navigate through the grocery store, restaurants, and choose the right foods, so you can feel good again.
  
  
• Lactose intolerance occurs when a person is missing the enzyme necessary for digesting lactose, the sugar in milk. Symptoms include intestinal cramps or discomfort, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Studies show that as many as 70% of lactose intolerant people don't link their symptoms to consumption of milk sugar. So it's possible that you may actually have lactose intolerance instead of "indigestion" or "irritable bowel”.
  
  
• Dairy allergies include allergies to either or both proteins found in dairy products, casein and whey. The allergy triggers immune response that causes inflammation and tissue damage.

 
Candida albicans is a type of yeast naturally occurring in our bodies that may also cause digestive issues and cause you to be more susceptible to other food intolerances when in excess. Good bacteria in our intestines keep the yeast in control, preventing it from growing into large colonies. Overuse of antibiotics to treat illness, plus antibiotics in our food supply cause these good bacteria to die and allows yeast to overgrow. Birth control pills, steroids and other hormone treatments can also encourage yeast overgrowth. Candida yeast produces toxins that make our bodies sick and weaken our immune systems. If you have digestive problem, recurrent yeast and/or bladder infections, carbohydrate cravings, skin rashes, and/or frequent head or muscle aches you may have a candida problem. We can help you control candida, repair your immune system, and optimize overall wellness.