Food Intolerances Archives - Lifelab Testing

Testing For Gluten Intolerance

Posted on 14th February 202514th February 2025 by Donna Mastriani

Some ingredients are everywhere, essential parts of our favourite dishes and indulgences. What is tolerable for some may be intolerable for others. Food intolerances are common, and much more so than many people believe. Intolerances are often underlying conditions that can cause mysterious symptoms. That makes testing for gluten intolerance and other intolerances a good idea if you are living with strange symptoms. Especially if you are looking for relief! Below, we’ll explain more about gluten intolerance and the most common gluten intolerance symptoms. This information can help you to decide what next step is best for you.

What exactly is gluten intolerance?

If you are gluten intolerant, your body is physically unable to digest the active protein in gluten, called gliadin. It is safe to eat gluten-containing foods, but not recommended. After all, the body will struggle to digest them. Gluten intolerance symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the intolerance severity.

Gluten is in many different foods, and it can feel like a minefield trying to figure out what is okay to eat and what isn’t. The good news is that gluten intolerance is common. So, there are many resources online to help guide your diet and meal plans.

Is gluten intolerance the same as Coeliac disease?

While they sound the same, gluten intolerance is not the same as Coeliac disease. Those living with Coeliac disease can damage their intestines if they eat gluten. It is a dangerous food ingredient for them. If you are gluten intolerant, you can have severe symptoms (which we’ll discuss below), but it isn’t dangerous for the body. Someone with gluten intolerance will not have intestinal damage from eating gluten-containing foods, no matter how much they eat.

Of course, determining whether you have Coeliac disease is essential. You need to know what you’re dealing with. You can do that by approaching your GP. Or, consider testing for gluten intolerance at home. This can help you learn about other food intolerances you were unaware of.

Common symptoms of gluten intolerance

Is gluten intolerance the same as Coeliac disease

There are quite a few common gluten intolerance symptoms that you can watch for, but the most common ones are below:

Stomach pain

One of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance is stomach pain. It could be a mild ache or a severe pain that may cause you a lot of concern. While unsettling and scary, it’s important to remember that an intolerance can’t hurt you or cause damage. It will pass.

Diarrhoea and constipation

These two symptoms may seem contradictory, and they are, but they’re also both possible with gluten intolerance. Many people living with an intolerance to gluten can have diarrhoea and constipation. This can be mild to severe as well.

Headaches or migraines

Most people wouldn’t connect the dots between a headache or a migraine and gluten intolerance, but there is a strong connection. These headaches are often the aching kind rather than the sharp pain. Some can have full-on migraines due to gluten intolerance.

Chronic fatigue

Most of the general population is tired, but chronic fatigue is entirely different. This crippling, long-term tiredness can be present in your body no matter how much or how long you sleep. This is a gluten intolerance symptom because the body is working hard to digest the “problem” food ingredient and working overtime!

Joint pain and inflammation

The body will become inflamed as it struggles to digest gluten, so those living with gluten intolerance can have sore joints and general inflammation in the body. Some blame this on the weather or overworking the problem joints, but it could be as simple as what you’re eating.

Brain fog

This is one of the easiest gluten intolerance symptoms to overlook. This is like fatigue you might feel, but in the mind. You’ll have difficulty focusing on things you enjoy and often feel mentally aimless as you try to get things done. This is a classic food intolerance symptom.

Intolerances vs allergies

You can have food intolerances and food allergies. Food intolerances are different from allergies, and the main concern is that a food allergy can be dangerous. An intolerance is a form of indigestion; an allergy is an immune system reaction where your body attacks the problem food. You should never knowingly eat something to which you are allergic.

Gluten intolerance vs. wheat allergy

Other than Coeliac disease, the “dangerous” competition to gluten intolerance is a wheat allergy. Mild wheat allergies can be easily confused with intolerances to gluten. This is especially true if there is no family history of allergies. It’s always best to consider testing for gluten intolerance if you aren’t sure. Then you’ll determine if you are allergic to wheat or intolerant to one of its core ingredients, gluten.

If you’ve seen a lot of information about gluten-free cooking online, you can see why now. With it being as common a problem as it is, many are finding symptom relief in gluten-free options. These substitutions allow food to be enjoyable again. Perhaps most importantly, test results can give you an answer to those strange and mysterious symptoms.

Say Goodbye to Bloating: Is It an Allergy or Intolerance?

Posted on 9th January 20259th January 2025 by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

Repeated episodes of bloating can indicate an underlying condition. It’s not just swallowing air or drinking fizzy drinks. The underlying cause is likely a particular food. The problem? Well, several conditions can cause such a reaction, including allergies and intolerances.

The symptoms of food allergies and intolerances can overlap. You may notice bloating, rashes, feeling generally unwell, and more. How do you differentiate between allergy vs intolerance? And how do you treat each condition? Find out below.

Understanding Allergy vs Intolerance

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is an immediate immune system reaction to a trigger. Usually, the body flags certain components of the food, e.g., a protein, as a threat to the body, launching a full immune response. This leads to symptoms such as:

Respiratory: Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing.
Skin: Hives, itching, swelling.
Digestive: Nausea, diarrhoea, pain.
Severe: Throat swelling, breathing difficulty (emergency).

Symptoms appear within seconds or minutes of exposure to the allergen. In severe cases, a person may experience anaphylaxis – a dangerous, life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

What is an Intolerance?

An intolerance is another immune response triggered by exposure to a certain foodstuff. Unlike an allergy, which causes symptoms acutely, intolerances usually manifest over hours or days. The symptoms are rarely life-threatening and can be hard to detect. They include:

Digestive: Bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain.
Skin: Rashes, itching.
General: Fatigue, headaches, irritability, muscle aches, joint pain.

The term intolerance can be used for the inability to digest a particular food substance, e.g., lactose intolerance. Such reactions are not caused by the immune system and are a separate category. Immune-related intolerances are linked to leaky gut syndrome, food additives, chronic inflammation, and sensitivity to certain natural or added chemicals.

Comparing Allergies vs Intolerances

Struggling to understand the differences between allergies and intolerances? It’s not as complicated as it sounds. The key differences are the reaction time, symptoms, and underlying mechanisms. Look at this comparison table for reference:

Aspect	Allergies	IgG-Mediated Intolerances
Definition	Immune system reaction involving IgE antibodies.	Immune system response involving IgG antibodies.
Reaction Time	Immediate (minutes to hours).	Delayed (hours to days).
Symptoms	Sneezing, hives, swelling, breathing difficulties, anaphylaxis.	Fatigue, headaches, digestive discomfort, joint pain, muscle aches.
Severity	Can be life-threatening (e.g., anaphylaxis).	Non-life-threatening but can significantly impact quality of life.
Triggers	Specific proteins in foods, pollen, or other allergens.	Specific food proteins or components.

Remember, intolerances are more systemic and diffuse than allergies. It’s common for allergies to cause swelling and discomfort at any contact sites. In comparison, intolerances require digestion before the symptoms begin to develop.

Is Bloating Caused By an Allergy or Intolerance?

Bloating is usually caused by an intolerance. If you consume a food allergen, the reaction would be instantaneous. You would notice throat and lip swelling, a red urticarial rash (hives), coughing, and much more. In contrast, intolerances commonly cause gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.

Symptoms like bloating occur due to several factors. These include fluid retention, delayed gut transit time, and even excessive gas production, as the gut bacteria ferment the undigested food. This is part of the reason why bloating and other symptoms take longer to appear for intolerances.

An allergy is an immediate immune system reaction to a trigger

Testing for Allergy vs Intolerance

Allergies and intolerances might both be triggered by the immune system. However, the underlying mechanisms are different. Allergies are typically associated with IgE antibodies, which are diagnostic signs. On the other hand, intolerances are linked to the IgG4 antibodies. Each of these antibodies is specific to a particular trigger.

This key difference allows us to detect your allergies and intolerances via a blood test. The Complete Body Test by Life Lab Testing, for example, analyses a small blood sample for IgE and IgG4 antibodies related to 38 allergens and 79 intolerances. These range from almonds, rice, and wheat to mustard, oats, and tomatoes. The results provide a helpful insight into what’s going wrong with your diet.

Alongside the test results, you have a free consultation with a Nutritional Therapist. They’ll help you understand the results, advising on the best strategies to optimise your diet and minimise symptoms.

Managing Allergies and Intolerances

So, you’re dealing with frequent bloating or a similar symptom? If you’ve taken the Complete Body Test, you know what the underlying cause is. But how do you manage your condition? Well, the treatment is usually the same – avoid the trigger food.

There’s no cure for either allergies or intolerances. Lifelong avoidance of the trigger food is the only preventative measure. That being said, some medications can relieve an allergic reaction.

Antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can minimise the symptoms of an acute reaction as histamine is behind the majority of symptoms. Taking an antihistamine if you believe you might be exposed to an allergen is a sensible option.
Adrenaline autoinjectors (EpiPens) are reserved for severe reactions. If you suspect you’re experiencing anaphylaxis, injecting the EpiPen can save your life. It prevents the worst symptoms from occurring, e.g., not being able to breathe.

Unfortunately, there is no similar treatment for intolerance. Some people argue that by tackling the underlying triggers, you can reduce or even eliminate symptoms. For example, if a leaky gut is causing chronic inflammation, resolving this issue may reduce your immune reaction to certain foods. However, research is limited and ongoing.

Bloating After Eating: Causes And Solutions For Digestive Discomfort

Posted on 27th September 202427th September 2024 by Donna Mastriani

Bloating occurs when your belly feels full, uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. You’ll feel tightness and pressure in your gut when you’re bloated. Sometimes this can be accompanied by a visibly distended belly. Some people experience stomach bloating after eating very little, and it must be managed if it’s a regular problem.

The feeling of bloating can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. Usually, a bloated stomach goes away after a short while. Most people experience bloating from time to time. However, when you experience it often, there’s something wrong with your health or diet, and you may need help.

Bloating can result from digestive issues and hormone fluctuations, among other issues. If bloating is a common issue, it’s essential to seek your doctor’s advice. Sometimes one gets very tired after eating, especially if they’ve overeaten.

Why am I bloated after every meal?

The leading cause of stomach pain and bloating is often excessive intestinal gas. If every time you eat, you experience bloating; it could be due to digestive issues. Digestive issues can be caused by underlying illnesses or reactions to the food you’re eating. Other causes of bloating include:

Eating too much fibre

Fibre is present in all plant-based foods and is a carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. However, it helps regulate blood sugar, add bulk to stool, and manage appetite. The drawback is that high-fibre foods can cause some people to produce excessive gas. According to studies, reducing fibre consumption in those suffering from constipation can reduce bloating.

High-fibre foods include beans, lentils, whole-grain oats, fruits, split peas, brussel sprouts, and broccoli.

Food intolerances

Bloating can result from digestive issues and hormone fluctuations

When you have a food intolerance, it means that you lack enough enzymes to break down that specific food. Usually, when food reaches the small intestines, enzymes are released to break it down into molecules which can quickly go past the digestive walls into the bloodstream.

When you have a food intolerance, food isn’t broken down in the small intestines due to a lack of specific enzymes or other reasons, and this often leads to this food being pushed down into the large intestines. When in the large intestines, it needs a lot of water to pass it along. The large intestines contain gut bacteria that ferment that food causing gas.

Since the food also extracts a lot of water from the colon, the combination of water and gas in the belly often causes bloating and sometimes pain. An Intolerance Test can help you know which food intolerances you’re suffering from so you can eliminate the trigger food from your diet.

Carbonated drinks

Such drinks contain carbon dioxide. Usually, when you drink a carbonated beverage, you belch to get it out of your body. However, you can’t get all of it out, and if it ends up in your intestines, it causes bloating. If you notice you get bloated after taking fizzy drinks, you must avoid them and only take still water and other non-fizzy drinks.

High-fat foods

Any balanced diet requires you to indulge in healthy fats as they’re an essential energy source. Usually, the body digests fat slowly. Hence it takes longer for fats to get through the digestive tract. This can delay your stomach from emptying, and in some people, it results in bloating.

People whose gastrointestinal tract takes long to empty need to avoid high-fat foods. Studies show that for people with stomach emptying problems, high-fat solid foods aren’t the solution. However, cutting down on such meals prevents bloating.

Heartburn

Heartburn results from the stomach acid travelling back up the throat. When this happens, it can cause uncomfortable burning sensations. It’s common for heartburn to cause bloating. When you treat heartburn, it can help reduce bloating for some people. It will also prevent you from suffering from those uncomfortable sensations when acid goes up the throat.

When suffering from heartburn, you can use over-the-counter antacids to treat heartburn. Antacids can treat heartburn, and if heartburn causes bloating, you’ll kill two birds with one stone.

Eating fast and chewing gum

When you drink or eat quickly, it increases the amount of gas you consume. When gas accumulates in your intestinal tract, it causes bloating. However, if you eat slowly or mindfully, you won’t have excess gas in your gut.

Chewing gum can also cause gas to accumulate in the intestinal tract. When chewing gum, you’ll often also swallow lots of air. This gas can build up in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bloating in some people.

How to get rid of bloating after eating

If the bloating you’re experiencing is due to something you ate or drank or hormonal fluctuations, it should begin within a few hours or days. Constipation usually doesn’t go away until you poop. So, there are ways you can help harden the process to relieve your body.

These include:

Exercise: A light exercise after meals, like gentle yoga, can relieve your stomach of gas, especially if you’ve been consuming fast food or had many carbonated drinks. Also, regularly doing strengthening exercises, especially for the core, can help combat bloating.
Herbal teas: Teas such as peppermint, ginger, fennel, turmeric, and chamomile help digestion and also reduce gas in the belly. If you have water retention, dandelion tea can help you relieve that too.
Supplements: You can also consume a supplement like magnesium which relaxes intestinal muscles and neutralises stomach acid. It’s also a natural laxative, and you should use it sparingly.
Peppermint oil: You can take them in the form of capsules. Peppermint oil naturally relaxes your stomach muscles, which helps you pass poop easily, especially if you’ve been suffering from motility issues.
Probiotics: These help balance the gut bacteria. While some probiotics can help you digest food better, others can help absorb excess gas. For you to notice a difference, you need to take probiotics frequently for a few days or weeks.
Psyllium husks: This popular fibre supplement can help you poo more often. When introducing fibre supplements, do so gradually with lots of water.

Final thoughts

Bloating is quite common, but when it’s persistent, you should be more attentive since there could be an underlying problem. Food sensitivities, hormonal imbalance and lifestyle factors often contribute to bloating. Managing these factors and taking an Intolerance Test can push you one step closer to realising the root cause of your bloating and combating it.

If you get persistent bloating that won’t go away after a week and after all the remedies, then you need to talk to a specialist so they can help you figure out what the problem could be. It can quickly get exhausting dealing with bloating after eating, but with some lifestyle changes, you can manage it.

Your Guide to Healthy Christmas Presents

Posted on 19th December 202319th December 2023 by Donna Mastriani

Getting the perfect gift for someone doesn’t have to be a mystery. It doesn’t even have to be difficult. You just need to know what to look for in your focus and your choice. Are you hunting for healthy Christmas presents for a loved one? If so, you’ll love the idea of getting them something personalized yet broad enough to give them a benefit, no matter their health-based lifestyle. Below, we’ll show you how complete body testing fits the bill perfectly and why it is the ultimate choice in your guide to healthy Christmas shopping.

Health and the body

Let’s dive a little bit into how you can look at health. For most of us, health involves diet and fitness. It often focuses on physical and mental health. This is true, of course, but it also goes beyond that. Health is a multifaceted part of our lives that deserves a multifaceted approach for the best result. Sometimes, the best ideas come from circumstances you might not normally consider.

Health is always a daily adventure, but you must also play the long game. The better care you take of yourself now, the better your life expectancy is about health issues and conditions. The habits that someone sets in their younger years (regardless of their age) will lead them into a future where those habits come into being. The better the habit, the better the future! Health is a fine example of this.

So, gifting healthy Christmas presents to someone with complete body testing can help them take the first step toward an in-depth look at how their body is doing. This prompts them to make changes daily to help them enjoy easier and healthier lifestyles. As you’ve likely heard before, the better you take care of your body, the better it can take care of you!

The benefits of gifting health to someone

If you like the sound of that, let’s dive deeper into what it means to literally give health to someone. These intangible benefits are impressive and brimming with positivity. Take a look and see for yourself.

Benefits Of Gifting Health Over Christmas

Help protects against diabetes, dementia, heart disease

Taking care of your health daily, weekly, and so on helps reduce the likelihood of developing chronic conditions. Some of the most common ones include diabetes, dementia, and heart disease. While no test or lifestyle can 100% guarantee protection from these health conditions forever, preventative care can help reduce their likelihood! This is especially great for those with genetic predispositions.

Can reduce the likelihood of fractures

Our bones naturally start to weaken with age. This can lead to fractures and complex fractures that require surgery and recovery. The stronger you keep your bones through a good diet and exercise, the better your likelihood of staying safe from fractures. Good health goes a long way to protect your body in those later, more vulnerable years!

Can reduce falls

Another wonderful, tangible benefit is that taking a daily approach to health means keeping muscle tone up. The stronger those muscles are, the better someone’s overall physical health will be. Keeping muscle tone as strong as possible helps prevent falls from weak joints or muscles or poor balance. This is especially great for those on your shopping list who love independence!

Testing helps them remember their priorities

When you see all of those benefits to good health, it’s simple to see why it makes such a great gift. There is another great facet to this gift idea, too. It helps your loved one remember what is most important in their life. Getting complete body testing helps them see how their bodies are doing in “real-time.” It also shows them how to take as best care of themselves as possible. Both allergies and intolerances are difficult to self-diagnose. So, the test results can help exclude and identify the reactions.

There are many different types of healthy Christmas presents that you can get for someone you love. Testing is a great choice, but you can combine that with something more tangible. For example, a cookbook for healthy, delicious meals. Or, a fitness program that you can do with them so that you both make positive changes in your lives.

One of the most exciting details about giving health to someone is that there are a million ways you can go about it and a million combinations. This will help you see how much flexibility you have when holiday shopping, and you’ll be in the perfect position to get the truly perfect gift for those special people in your life. Grab your test from Lifelab today

Which Foods Trigger IBS Attacks?

Posted on 20th February 202313th March 2023 by Donna Mastriani

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that affects the large intestine and in turn the digestive system. If you suffer from IBS, you’re not alone, as 1 in 5 adults are affected by the condition making it fairly common.

IBS causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation, which can last for a varying amount of time, and tend to come and go over time.

There’s currently no cure for IBS and the disorder can be difficult to live with, especially around mealtime. A change in diet, whilst frustrating, can help to improve avoiding symptoms.

Common IBS Triggers

complete-intolerance-front — Our Complete Intolerance Test

Discovering what your personal trigger foods are can help alleviate symptoms and give you a little more freedom when it comes to dinner time.

However, IBS isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ condition and foods can affect people differently. What’s more, it may not be practical to cut out all foods immediately – so you should instead make a list of suspect foods that you know trigger your IBS symptoms and eliminate them one by one over time to see if it makes a difference to your lifestyle.

Alternatively, our intolerance tests can identify which items may be triggering your IBS attacks to help effectively optimise your diet change. That said, here are the common foods that trigger IBS attacks:

Fried and fatty foods

High fat foods including cheese, fries, and fatty meats can be difficult on the digestive system, especially when suffering with IBS. The chemical makeup of food can be changed when frying, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, most notably diarrhoea.

If you’re finding it difficult to cut out these foods, grilling or baking may reduce the severity of IBS symptoms, as well as being a healthier alternative.

Dairy

Dairy is an important component of a healthy diet due to it being calcium-rich. However many dairy products are high in fat which can trigger IBS symptoms. High fat dairy products can include:

Heavy Cream.
Whole Milk Yogurt.
Whole Milk.
Butter
Full-Fat Cheese.

It’s also unclear whether people suffering from IBS are more susceptible to lactose intolerance. However, switching to low fat dairy or dairy alternatives such as plant milks may reduce the severity of IBS symptoms.

If, for whatever reason, you need to cut out dairy altogether, make sure to include calcium rich foods into your diet such as:

White beans
Almonds
Sardines
Seeds
Dried figs

Wheat

Found in foods such as pasta, bread, and cookies, wheat contains the gluten protein which around 5% of the population are allergic to. The symptoms produced by gluten disorders, such as coeliac disease, are very similar to IBS and therefore it’s difficult to distinguish which disorder you may be suffering from.

Fibre

Fibre is a carbohydrate component of food and plays a key role in normalising bowel habits. There are two types of fibre, soluble and insoluble, and the body reacts differently to each. This means that each type of fibre can help your IBS symptoms or trigger them.

Think of fibre like a tap. Soluble fibre slows down the digestive tract which helps with diarrhoea, whereas insoluble fibre speeds up the process, relieving constipation.

Depending on your IBS symptoms, react with the correct type of fibre to help alleviate your suffering.

Soluble fibre is found in:

Apples
Peas
Strawberries
Sweet potatoes
Pears
Avocados

Insoluble fibre can be found in:

Blackberries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Leafy greens
Zucchini
Rolled oats
Brown rice

Chocolate

A piece of chocolate (or a whole bar) is often the perfect treat to satisfy that sweet tooth. However due to its ingredients containing sugar, lactose, caffeine, and typically being high in fat, chocolate can often be a IBS trigger food, leading sufferers to experience constipation.

But who really wants to cut out chocolate? Trying a plant-based alternative may help reduce the severity of your IBS symptoms.

Caffeinated and fizzy drinks

Giving up your morning coffee may be a deal breaker for most, but caffeinated drinks can often cause diarrhoea due to a stimulating effect on the intestines. Energy drinks, fizzy soft drinks and coffee can therefore be a trigger for IBS symptoms.

If you’re finding it difficult to cut these out altogether, decaffeinated versions of your favourite beverages may help reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Alcohol

Alongside being difficult to digest, alcohol leads to dehydration which has even further effects on the digestive system. Plus different alcoholic drinks can have varied effects on the body and therefore could trigger IBS symptoms; beer, for example, often contains gluten, and wines and mixers can contain high amounts of sugar.

Processed foods

Processed foods are simply foods that have been altered in any way during preparation; this can include canning, baking, freezing, and drying. Whilst not all processed foods are unhealthy, eating a lot of them can lead to serious health issues for anyone as they contain a high quantity of added salt, sugar, and fat. They also include additives and preservatives which can trigger IBS. Processed foods include:

Cereal
Crisps
Sausage rolls
Ready meals
Biscuits

Identifying Personal IBS Trigger Foods

You’ve narrowed down your IBS trigger food list, now how do you put the elimination diet into practice?

The elimination diet should begin with a cleanse of all trigger foods on your list. Keeping a food diary is recommended here to keep track of your progress, as well as charting symptoms. If you’re noticing that your symptoms are being alleviated, it means that the elimination diet is working.

Elimination diets should be a short term experiment, as many of the foods you are cutting out will be important for a healthy diet.

Once you’ve eliminated your trigger foods, it’s time to slowly reintroduce them. Take one food type at a time and eat a small amount to see if your symptoms resurge. If they don’t, try a larger amount the following day. Please note that symptoms could take a few days to appear after eating the trigger food.

Repeat the process for each trigger food and log your results in your food diary. Please note that you should only be sampling only one of your trigger foods at a time to keep the results accurate.

Looking to speed up the process? Read how our food sensitivity test can help IBS sufferers.

Non-Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

Posted on 6th February 202314th August 2024 by Nida Ali

Gluten is a protein found in grains and wheat-related plants like spelt, barley, and rye. The two main proteins in gluten are called Glutenin & Gliadin, which bind to each other to form a network that supports dough and allows the bread to be light and fluffy. Amino acids present in both gliadin and glutenin help the two proteins to form hydrogen bonds with each other. Gliadin is the major cause for concern and is responsible for all the adverse health effects of gluten. When you experience gluten intolerance symptoms, gliadin is the most likely culprit. Gluten is present in the following:

WHEAT	RYE	TRICITALE	BARLEY
bread, baked goods, and food	rye bread, and pumpernickel	bread, pasta, and cereals	malt
soups, pasta, cereals, coloring	rye, beer, and cereals	cakes and muffins	beer
sauces, dressings, and brewer’s roux			yeast

Gluten intolerance is when the body doesn’t absorb the carbohydrate as it should. The substance stays in the guts and ferments, resulting in sickness. Researchers have suggested that in people with gluten intolerance, the intestinal lining is compromised, allowing bacteria into their blood or liver and causing inflammation.

What is NCGS?

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition characterized by intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms related to ingesting gluten-containing foods without celiac disease and wheat allergy.

NCGS’s symptoms are characterized by intestinal and/or extra-intestinal symptoms following ingestion of gluten-containing grains. Those symptoms can be easily mistaken for coeliac disease (CD) due to the similarity in manifestations after ingestion of these grains. NCGS is not an allergy or an autoimmune disorder like coeliac disease. NCGS’s pathophysiology is very confusing as there is an overlap in symptoms between NCGS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. There is not a clear definition for NCGS. Still, as sensitivity, the symptoms are due to immune-mediated reactions that do not always occur in the same way when people ingest gluten-containing grains(1). An innate immune response, the lack of serum TG2 antibodies, and the missing association to HLA-DQ2/8 alleles mainly characterize NCGS.

Even if NCGS is not an autoimmune or allergic reaction, symptoms are still causing problems for people with this sensitivity. Symptoms usually appear soon after ingesting gluten. The only way to relieve these symptoms is by eliminating these grains from the diet. The best practice in diagnosing NCGS is only by gluten withdrawal and double-blind placebo challenge protocols. The prevalence rate of NCGS is unknown but is suspected to be higher than that of celiac disease. It is estimated that 99% of people with gluten-related issues are unaware and ascribe their illness/symptoms to other health issues.

Common sensitivity symptoms

Intestinal symptoms:

Symptoms similar to IBS
Nausea
Abdominal Pain
Distention
Bloating
Gas
Constipation

Extra-Intestinal symptoms(2,3):

Headaches, Migraines
Foggy mind
Joint and muscle pain
Eczema
Anaemia
Leg or arm numbness

6 categories of foods to avoid on a gluten-free diet

Gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, spelt, Kamut, rye, and couscous.
Condiments like soy sauce, BBQ sauce, malt vinegar, ketchup, gravy mixes, and spices blend.
Wheat-based pasta and baked goods. There are plenty of gluten-free options widely available in supermarkets that you could try.
Beverages like beer, pre-made coffee drinks, and drink mixes.
Processed food

The Content of Gluten in Foods. More, wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt. Less, rice, maize, buckwheat, beans.

How to be tested

There is a lack of NCGS epidemiological studies in many populations because it’s only recently that the scientific community has recognized the disease and the lack of sensitivity and reproducible biomarkers for its diagnosis. Thus, if you suspect that gluten could cause your problems/symptoms, our tests could help you identify the cause of your problems. Since there are no specific tests to diagnose NCGS, you must first rule out coeliac disease, wheat allergy, or any other possible causes of your symptoms.

complete-body-front — Our Complete Body Test

Here at LifeLab, we can help you test for allergies and intolerances/sensitivities. Our comprehensive test, Complete Body Test, can help you check for 38 Allergies and 79 Intolerance. So, you can rule out wheat allergy as the cause of your symptoms and test for wheat intolerance/sensitivity. If you know that allergy is not the reason, you could use our Basic Intolerance Test (40 food and beverages) or Complete intolerance (160 food and beverages) tests. Take steps now to identify a gluten intolerance and adjust your diet.

Order Your Test Today

Allergies and intolerances can greatly impact your life. To manage your symptoms, it’s crucial to take a reliable allergy test to tell you which foods are to blame. Browse our full range of testing kits available at Lifelab on our website, or take our handy online test to help you choose the best test.

References

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/whole-grains/

Low FODMAP Lunch

Posted on 30th January 202330th January 2023 by Donna Mastriani

Lunch is a necessary meal of the day as it helps power us so we can proceed to finish the second half of the day with energy. Lunch can seem relatively mundane, especially when you have limitations such as cutting down on certain foods and altogether avoiding others with a FODMAP diet. A low FODMAP lunch can cause frustration as you have to consider the impact every ingredient will have on your stomach. One easy option is to have leftovers from dinner to serve as lunch or do meal planning at the beginning of the week / over the weekend to have an already fully planned day ahead.

However, some people don’t like eating meal-prepped foods or have no leftovers from dinner to take to work. If you’re looking for low FODMAP lunch ideas, we’ll give you some delicious and easy-to-make lunch recipes that will fill you up during the day. The easiest meals for your low FODMAP lunch can be salads or sandwiches. These are simple to make, portable, and filling.

Low FODMAP lunch ideas

We have a few low FODMAP lunch recipes you can try and alter according to your liking. These foods you can make the night before work so you are good to go in the morning, all you’ll have to do is throw your lunch box into your bag.

Low FODMAP chicken salad

Ingredients

400g chicken (two large chicken breasts)
120g fresh grapes (black muscatel, red globe, Thompson)
40g celery
1 small cucumber
2 tbsp fresh parsley
4 tbsp green onion
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp Dijon mustard
4 tbsp scallions (green part only)
½ cup mayonnaise (vegan or traditional)
½ TSP dried tarragon
Salt and pepper to your liking

Method

Put your skinless chicken breasts in a saucepan with water and bring them to a boil. Once it simmers, cover the saucepan with a lid and turn the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 12 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the water and put it aside to rest for at least 5 minutes.
Chop the grapes into quarters, thinly slice the celery, finely slice the parsley, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the parsley and green parts of the scallions.
Slice the cooked and resting chicken into small pieces in a bowl. Pour all the sliced salad ingredients into the chicken bowl.
Whisk tarragon, lime juice, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Pour this dressing over the salad and salad. Mix until well combined. Leave the salad to chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. This salad can keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Low FODMAP stuffed peppers

Ingredients

1 cup salsa
6 bell peppers (mixed colours)
1 pound of meat grounded or meat alternative, cooked
2 cups cheese
3 cups brown rice, cooked

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds. Line them on a baking tray.
In a large bowl, combine salsa, cheese, rice, and your meat or meat alternative that’s cooked.
Put this mixture into each bell pepper and sprinkle extra cheese on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Low FODMAP salmon lettuce boats

Ingredients

Lettuce boat

⅛ avocado
1 can salmon
1 TSP soy sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
3 romaine lettuce leaves
2 scallions
Sesame seeds
Salt and pepper to taste

Dipping sauce

2 tbsp peanut or almond butter
1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
1 tbsp lime juice
1 TSP brown sugar
1 TSP ground ginger
¼ TSP chili flakes

Method

Combine the butter, sauce, lime juice, sugar, ginger, and chilli flakes in a small bowl and set aside.
Mash the avocado in a large bowl.
Add salmon, olive oil, and soy sauce to the bowl.
On every lettuce leaf, fill in with the salmon mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste.
You can dip the lettuce wrap in the dip or drizzle it.

Low FODMAP quinoa and sweet potato salad

Ingredients

1 ½ cups quinoa
2 ½ low FODMAP vegetable stock
200g kale, finely chopped
200g sweet potato diced
160g chickpeas
400g cucumber
40g chopped pecans
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp lime juice
4 tbsp olive oil
Pepper and salt to taste

Method

Preheat the oven to 392 F.
Put the stock in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiled, add the quinoa and cook.
Wash the sweet potatoes and slice them into pieces. You can choose to remove the skin or leave it on. If you want to consume more fibre, it’s wise to leave the skin on.
Drain and wash the chickpeas. Put the chickpeas in a baking tray with the sweet potatoes. Bake these for 30 minutes. Toss it around halfway through.
Add the chopped kale to the baking items for 10 minutes when they’re done. Add some olive oil and mix everything.
Cube the cucumbers.
In a small bowl, whisk maple syrup, lime juice, and olive oil, with salt and pepper to taste.
Place quinoa in a bowl, and add the roasted vegetables, pecans, and cucumbers. Add the dressing and stir. You can always taste and add more salt, pepper or lime juice.

This recipe makes around four servings. So, you can keep it all in a fridge if you don’t pour the dressing onto the salad mixture.

These low FODMAP lunch recipes will reduce your chances of experiencing uncomfortable symptoms after eating. As you can see from the recipes above, you can easily enjoy delicious low FODMAP easy recipes. If you have no idea about foods that trigger intolerance symptoms and you’re avoiding all FODMAPs, we recommend you take an Intolerance Test. This test helps you know which foods your body can’t tolerate. If you order a complete test, you are also entitled to a free 30-minute consultation with a qualified nutritional therapist to discuss your results and diet moving forward. When you start consuming a low FODMAP diet, you will see those IBS symptoms disappear, and then after the recommended time to avoid those foods, you can slowly introduce them back to your diet. This works as an elimination diet. The gradual increase of these foods in your diet will help you determine your tolerance level for certain high FODMAP meals, and you can now plan your diet around that.

Low FODMAP Chicken Recipes

Posted on 16th January 202317th January 2023 by Donna Mastriani

Chicken is a very versatile food. You can have it in your lightweight salad or your main filling meal in warm and cold weather. How you cook your chicken helps determine what you can pair it with. Low FODMAP chicken recipes are low in FODMAPs to help people suffering from gastrointestinal issues like SIBO and IBS. Both conditions often mean that there is an imbalance in the digestive tract and the only way to bring back balance is by removing all offending foods. After all the symptoms are no longer observed, reintroducing those foods back into your diet, increasing the quantities little by little until you’re able to know the amount of food you can consume and not suffer those symptoms.

Chicken is an important part of a healthy diet. When you’re following a low FODMAP diet, eating more protein becomes a good option, and having low FODMAP chicken recipes can be a lifesaver. Chicken is high in protein and low in calories, which is good for those who mind their calorie intake. Various chicken FODMAP recipes will help you find different ways to cook chicken, so you don’t tire of eating it.

Low FODMAP chicken recipe

Here are some delicious and easy-to-make chicken FODMAP recipes you can make ahead of time or eat right away.

Chicken burrito bowl salad

Ingredients

Chicken marinade

Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp garlic-infused oil
2 tbsp onion and shallot-infused oil
2 tbsp low FODMAP taco seasoning
½ TSP tomato paste

Cilantro lime rice

1 cup rice
2 cups low FODMAP chicken broth or vegetable stock
1 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter
Juice of ½ lime
Zest of 1 lime
Salt to taste
3 tbsp chopped cilantro

Salad

¾ cup sliced red bell pepper
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup corn
½ cup black beans
1 cup chopped lettuce (butter or Roma)
2 tbsp chopped black olives

Toppings

2 tbsp green scallions (only use green parts)
A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
½ avocado sliced
Sour cream (lactose-free)
One lime

Method

Add the infused oils, lime juice, tomato paste, and taco seasoning in a ziplock bag or container. Then add the chicken thighs and coat it well. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes or even overnight.
Bring chicken soup or vegetable broth to a boil, add your rice, then reduce the flame and cover it. Stir in olive oil or vegan butter, and add salt to taste. Let it simmer until all the water evaporates and it’s nicely cooked.
While the rice cooks, chop the bell peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and olives. Place all these ingredients in a bowl. You can put them in separate bowls if you plan to consume them in one meal.
Over medium heat, heat a grill or skillet and remove the chicken from the marinade.
On a warm skillet, place the chicken and cook for five minutes on each side. If you have a thermometer, ensure it’s 165F when removing it from the skillet.
Once your chicken is cooked, let it rest for up to five minutes before cutting it into cubes.
When your rice is done, fluff it and add lime juice, zest, and cilantro.
Put the cooked rice in bowls, topped with the salad mixture, the chicken, cheese, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and scallions, and enjoy with a side lemon wedge that you can squeeze over your chicken.

Chicken topped with cheeses and spaghetti in a tomato sauce

Spaghetti chicken

Ingredients

Two large chicken breasts
6 ounces spaghetti (brown rice)
¾ cup dry white wine
2 tbsp olive oil
12 cherry tomatoes
2 tbsp vegan butter
1 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
2 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper

Method

Cook spaghetti accordingly and pour out its water, reserving a quarter cup of spaghetti water. After draining the water, return the pasta to the pot and toss it with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
Season the chicken using salt and pepper, then heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cover. Let it sit for around 5 minutes, and you’ll see it has browned a little. Flip the chicken and cover for another five to six minutes. Once it’s fully cooked, let it cool on a chopping board.
To the same skillet, add wine and cherry tomatoes. Simmer it for 10 minutes or until the tomatoes start softening. Use a spatula to press down the tomatoes bursting them in the process. Continue cooking for a few minutes.
Reduce heat, and add garlic-infused olive oil, butter, basil, and the reserved pasta water. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly. Turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper.
Add the spaghetti and cooked chicken into the sauce and toss to mix. Serve warm.

Chicken stew with potato, carrot in a rustic bowl

Chickens stew

Ingredients

1 pound of chicken
Garlic-infused olive oil
One can of tomatoes with juice
One medium carrot diced
½ medium red bell pepper
½ cup FODMAP-friendly dry white wine
2 tbsp capers
1 ½ TSP dried oregano
⅓ cup of kalamata olives

Method

In a large skillet, heat the oil. Using salt and pepper, season the chicken and sear it in the pan for two minutes on both sides.
Chop bell pepper and carrots. Add the chopped vegetables, wine, tomatoes (with liquid), and oregano, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat once it starts boiling and let it simmer until the chicken is cooked, which could take around 25 minutes, depending on your chicken.
You can add more FODMAP vegetable or chicken broth or water if you want more soup, depending on the dish you’ll be serving it with.
You can add kalamata olives and capers before turning off the heat. Serve warm with a carbohydrate of choice.

Roast chicken and vegetables on a wooden table

Roasted chicken

Ingredients

One whole chicken
¼ cup of vegan butter or olive oil
Lemon zest of 1 lime
3 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place the chicken breast on a lined baking tray breast side up.
Mix lemon zest and vegan butter or olive oil. Rub this mixture all over the chicken and sprinkle lemon juice all over it. Then season with salt and pepper.
Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes before taking it out of the oven. You can leave it for longer if it needs to be fully cooked.
When it’s done, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before you start cutting into it.

These low FODMAP chicken recipes are delicious and will help you enjoy your diet. When choosing a low FODMAP diet, you need to know which foods irritate your stomach. Taking an Intolerance Test will help you know your tolerance level to all FODMAPs. The test will help you know which recipes are good for you and which aren’t. You can read more about our methods and the science behind intolerance testing on our website. While some vegetables, even though high in FODMAPs, may be okay for your digestive tract, others won’t. So, instead of cutting them all out of your diet, understand what works for you and what doesn’t by taking an intolerance test.

Kiwi Allergy Guide

Posted on 9th January 202310th January 2023 by Kate Young

Kiwi, also known as Chinese gooseberry, is a fruit which is relatively common in people’s diets as it is rich in nutrients and tasty. However, there are some individuals who experience uncomfortable symptoms after eating or touching the fruit. Kiwis can impact individuals in different ways, with some people experiencing severe reactions that others only notice mildly.

Most kiwi fruit allergy symptoms are mild, but this does not mean that individuals cannot respond severely, even sometimes with anaphylaxis. It has been suggested that it is more common for children to experience severe reactions to kiwi compared to adults. Even though having a kiwi allergy means you’ll not tolerate eating kiwis, it can also lead to cross-reactivity with other foods, pollen, or latex. Kiwi allergy is becoming a common issue worldwide, which is why we’ve created this Kiwi Allergy Guide to tell you more about symptoms, cross-reactivity and testing.

What is kiwi allergy?

A kiwi allergy occurs when your immune system mistakes the proteins present in kiwi as harmful substances like viruses or bacteria. After this mistake, the immune system sends white blood cells, IgE antibodies, and other compounds to fight off the “harmful” substances. When the immune system responds in such a manner, even though you don’t have any harmful substances in the body, you’ll witness kiwi allergy symptoms. The proteins present in kiwi fruit that result in allergy symptoms include actinidin, thaumatin-like protein, and kiwellin. However, studies show that the compound 30 kDa thiol-protease actinidin is the major kiwi allergen {1}. People with a kiwi allergy also tend to be hypersensitive to other foods.

Kiwi allergy symptoms

Kiwi fruit allergy symptoms are divided into two categories because there is true kiwi allergy and oral allergy syndrome.

Oral allergy syndrome

Also known as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS), the body accidentally confuses certain foods for pollen. This leads to the production of mild allergic symptoms. These symptoms include:

Itching of the mouth, lips, and tongue after eating the fruit.
Skin rashes.

You will notice that Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) symptoms are rising or at their worst when pollen counts are high. OAS symptoms often only last for a few minutes before they disappear.

True kiwi allergy symptoms

When experiencing a true allergy to kiwi, the symptoms tend to be more severe than OAS. If one experiences symptoms like anaphylaxis, there is a need to get them to the emergency room. These include:

Abdominal pains.
Rashes.
Vomiting.
Trouble breathing/anaphylaxis (more common than in OAS).
Eczema is a skin condition that involves raised, itchy patches.
Hives.

If you have a mild reaction when eating kiwi, such as itching around your mouth, it is best to stop eating the fruit because the next time you consume it, the symptoms will reappear. Most true kiwi allergies happen within the first 20-30 minutes of consumption.

Kiwi latex allergy

Latex is a natural product produced by rubber trees and other similar trees. You’ll often find latex in condoms and surgical gloves. Latex allergy often increases the risk of getting different allergic reactions like kiwi allergy. Kiwi and latex share at least two similar allergens hence why they’re tightly connected to each other. If you’re allergic to latex, you might also have a higher risk of getting an allergy to bananas and avocados. The reason for this relationship between latex and fruits is due to the similarity in the compounds present in these fruits and latex. Latex compounds are also similar to compounds present in certain vegetables, fruits, nuts, and tree pollen. So, an allergy to kiwi may also mean you’ll have a latex allergy, through cross-reactivity. Having a kiwi allergy also means that you may be allergic to other fruits and vegetables that share similar compounds to this fruit.

How long does kiwi allergy last?

Kiwi allergy symptoms start a few minutes after contact or consumption of the fruit, mainly within the first two hours of consuming the fruit. For children, it’s possible that they may outgrow their allergies once they enter teenagehood. However, for adults, you need to find ways to manage the allergy since kiwi fruit will always be an allergy you need to deal with. Specific skin-related symptoms like hives and rashes may take at least two days to clear up in the short term. However, if you suffer from a severe allergy to kiwi, you must visit the hospital even after using an EpiPen because sometimes the symptoms reoccur approximately four hours after the first symptoms. Hence, it is best to stay under the doctor’s supervision if the symptoms reoccur in severe cases.

Kiwi allergy in children

Kiwi is a known allergen, and even though kiwi fruit is full of vitamins and nutrients, you shouldn’t wean your baby with kiwi if you have a history of allergies in your family. Babies have weaker immunity and tend to have many allergies even though they outgrow them late on. You can always consult your doctor if you’re worried about kiwi. If your child has an upset stomach, bloating, or even diarrhoea after eating kiwi fruit, these can be symptoms of an allergy. Some other symptoms you may see from an allergic reaction to kiwi include:

Redness or swelling around the lips and mouth.
Excessive crying.
Irritability.
Difficulty breathing.
Scaly or red patches on the skin.
Hives.

If you suspect your child may be allergic to kiwi, you should take them to a doctor if their symptoms are mild and resolve quickly, or straight to the emergency room if they are severe.

Kiwi allergy testing

basic allergy test — Basic Allergy Test.

If you suspect you may be suffering from a kiwi fruit allergy, then we recommend you visit your doctor and present your symptoms, and they will help you know whether you may have any underlying conditions that could be causing your symptoms. If you’re unsure if kiwi is the specific cause of your allergy symptoms and want to gain more insight, you could order yourself a simple home Allergy Test. At our laboratory, we will test your sample against common allergens in your environment and your food. After a comprehensive review by our scientists, you will get your results on your phone in seven days, showing you foods you need to keep away from since you’re allergic to them.

An allergy test only tells you what you need to avoid. However, you’re the one who needs to do the heavy lifting. The only way to manage an allergy to kiwi is by avoiding the fruit in all ways possible. While some people can consume cooked kiwi since the proteins are inactivated, others can’t. However, you don’t need to try cooking kiwi down to eat it; you can always substitute it for other healthy and nutritious fruits. Be careful when eating salads, drinking smoothies, and generally eating food not prepared by you at home. If you’re eating somewhere other than your home, always let the host or staff know about your allergy so you can prevent yourself from suffering from any kiwi allergy symptoms.

References

Hassan, A. K., & Venkatesh, Y. P. (2015). An overview of fruit allergy and the causative allergens. European annals of allergy and clinical immunology, 47(6), 180-187.

Can a Food Intolerance Cause Weight Gain?

Posted on 20th December 202220th December 2022 by Dr. Kristen Poe

Mystery weight gain can be one of the most baffling – and frustrating – symptoms someone can experience. Sometimes the explanation is outside of what is considered traditional as it pertains to weight gain. Typically, when someone has unexplained weight gain, they have already gone to their general practitioners and had lab work and testing done to rule out more serious causes. When a patient falls into this category of otherwise normal exams, labs, and testing, it makes sense to look at unexplained weight gain through a different lens. Sometimes it is not as complicated as it may seem.

Up to 30% of people in the UK suspect they might have a food intolerance/sensitivity of some kind. Food intolerances are a subset of all adverse food reactions and are reported by 15 to 20 percent of the population in the United States as well. Food intolerances/sensitivities are even more common among patients with irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders, with 50 to 80 percent reporting consistent problems with certain foods [1]. The most common symptoms of food intolerances include digestive problems (bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, discomfort etc), and many people have also discovered that their sensitivities may also be contributing to weight gain.

What exactly is a food intolerance?

There is a lot of confusion regarding intolerances vs. allergies. Intolerances/sensitivities and allergies are often terms that are used interchangeably. However, they are clinically different, and should not be used as synonyms. As I tell my patients, an allergy is cut and dry. If you’re allergic, your immune system is heavily involved, they can be life threatening, and you avoid it. Food allergy is due to an abnormal immunologic response following exposure (usually ingestion) to a food [1,2]. There are multiple types of food allergies, each with distinct clinical and pathophysiologic features. Food allergies are broadly categorized into either immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated or non-IgE-mediated processes. IgE-mediated food allergic reactions are rapid in onset, typically beginning within minutes to two hours from the time of ingestion. They can be life-threatening and cause anaphylaxis.

Food intolerances/sensitivities often have “a grey area” that is not as easily understood. Unlike an allergy, food intolerances aren’t usually life-threatening – but they can be life-limiting. Food intolerances are not immunologic allergies and do not carry the same risk as an immune system reaction from allergies. A simple way to explain the difference is that food intolerances/sensitivities generally involve the digestive system (although sometimes other body systems and symptoms occur), the amount of food ingested is directly related to the severity of symptoms, and the food causes similar symptoms with each exposure. A food sensitivity occurs when your body is unable to digest certain compounds, such as the proteins found milk, eggs, wheat, or soy etc. After you consume a food that contains these compounds, you may later experience uncomfortable symptoms.

The tricky part is that these symptoms can be delayed by up to 48 hours. They can also occur due to imbalances in gastrointestinal pH, gut microbiome, and intestinal integrity. More and more research from some of the top medical schools, hospitals and institutions in the world are continuing extensive research on the immune system and gut connection.

Dr. David Heber, MD, PhD, from UCLA School of Medicine [4] states, “70% of the immune system is located in the gut, where diverse bacteria is best. You likely know that what you eat can affect your weight and energy level throughout the day. But you might not realize the extent to which diet affects the immune system.”

How can food intolerances cause weight gain?

When you eat something you’re intolerant to, it can cause your digestive tract to become inflamed, often resulting in symptoms like those of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Chronic inflammation can impact weight gain. To control inflammation, the body naturally produces cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone that comes from the adrenal glands, which are located above the kidneys. In addition to reducing inflammation, however, cortisol increases insulin levels, and can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. As the body produces more insulin to control blood sugar, it can eventually cause insulin-resistance.

When there is a lot of excess insulin and blood sugar in our blood stream, it signals our body to put that excess sugar in storage. We can store some sugar in our liver and muscles, but when these are full, our body starts to store the extra sugar as fat. This of course starts to cause weight gain. Insulin resistance can interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize the foods you eat, which can ultimately lead to weight gain. These changes encourage the body to store fat rather than processing calories efficiently. Therefore, unidentified intolerances and sensitivities that cause chronic inflammation can sometimes contribute to unexplained weight gain over time. Food intolerance testing can serve as an additional health optimization tool to help you feel your best.

References

Lomer MC. Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Feb;41(3):262-75. doi: 10.1111/apt.13041. Epub 2014 Dec 3. PMID: 25471897.
NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel, Boyce JA, Assa’ad A, Burks AW, Jones SM, Sampson HA, Wood RA, Plaut M, Cooper SF, Fenton MJ, Arshad SH, Bahna SL, Beck LA, Byrd-Bredbenner C, Camargo CA Jr, Eichenfield L, Furuta GT, Hanifin JM, Jones C, Kraft M, Levy BD, Lieberman P, Luccioli S, McCall KM, Schneider LC, Simon RA, Simons FE, Teach SJ, Yawn BP, Schwaninger JM. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Dec;126(6 Suppl):S1-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.007. PMID: 21134576; PMCID: PMC4241964.
Sampson HA, Aceves S, Bock SA, James J, Jones S, Lang D, Nadeau K, Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Oppenheimer J, Perry TT, Randolph C, Sicherer SH, Simon RA, Vickery BP, Wood R; Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, Bernstein D, Blessing-Moore J, Khan D, Lang D, Nicklas R, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy J, Randolph C, Schuller D, Spector S, Tilles SA, Wallace D; Practice Parameter Workgroup, Sampson HA, Aceves S, Bock SA, James J, Jones S, Lang D, Nadeau K, Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Oppenheimer J, Perry TT, Randolph C, Sicherer SH, Simon RA, Vickery BP, Wood R. Food allergy: a practice parameter update-2014. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 Nov;134(5):1016-25.e43. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.05.013. Epub 2014 Aug 28. PMID: 25174862.
David Heber M.D., Ph.D., FACP, FASN – Chairman, Herbalife Nutrition Institute https://iamherbalifenutrition.com/health-and-wellness/gut-bacteria-influence-health/