Understanding Food Intolerance: What Happens Inside Your Body

🌱 Understanding Food Intolerance: What Happens Inside Your Body 🌱

Last week, I shared a post discussing the difference between food allergies and food intolerances. Today, I want to go a bit deeper into the topic of food intolerances and talk about what actually happens inside your body when you consume foods you are intolerant to. I often I hear people say, "Oh, it's not an allergy, so I'll just have a little bit of this food and I’ll be fine." Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Whilst food intolerances may not be as immediately life-threatening like allergies, they can still have a significant impact on your well-being. When you consume foods that your body is intolerant to, a cascade of reactions takes place internally. Let's explore what goes on behind the scenes.

🔸 Inflammation: Foods you are intolerant too trigger an immune response, which sets off a chain reaction of inflammation within your body. This inflammation can manifest as discomfort, bloating, and even pain.  Inflammation is a key driver behind many health conditions, such as digestive disorders, skin issues, joint problems, autoimmune conditions, and chronic diseases.

🔸 Digestive Distress: Your digestive system bears the brunt of food intolerances. Symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating can all occur. These symptoms occur when your body struggles to process the foods you are eating.

🔸 Disrupted Gut Health: Food intolerances can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiota, the trillions of bacteria residing in your digestive tract. This imbalance can impair digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to nutrient deficiencies.

🔸 Leaky Gut: Food intolerances can also contribute to "leaky gut" syndrome. The inflammation caused by these foods compromises the integrity of your intestinal lining, allowing harmful substances to leak into your bloodstream. This can trigger additional symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and skin problems.

Unfortunately, thinking that having a food intolerance means you can just have a small amount of the offending food and be fine is a common misconception. It's essential to recognize that even small doses of intolerant foods can have a significant impact on your body and well-being.

Respecting your food intolerances is an act of self-care. It's about listening to your body and understanding its unique needs. While you may not have a severe allergic reaction or a diagnosed condition like celiac disease, listening to your body's signals and avoiding foods that don't agree with you can lead to improved gut health, increased energy, and a better quality of life.

Let's prioritise our gut health and make choices that truly nourish our bodies. If you need advice please get in touch.