Food Intolerance Test

Many foods that we eat thinking that they are healthy cannot be digested by our body and as a result of this, these foods might be causing many disorders and weight problems. Food intolerance is personal and might be different in everybody. Food intolerance might be the reason for many disorders that we experience. It might be triggering or causing many disorders, particularly not being able to lose weight, stomach and bowels, skin disorders, migraine problems. The World Health Organization (WHO-2009) thinks that half of the world’s population have a food intolerance. 1 billion people have been diagnosed with food intolerance. WHO assumes that this number has reached 2.5 billion in 2016.

What is the difference between Food Intolerance and Food Allergy?

Having food intolerance against certain foods does not mean the same thing as having a food allergy. Being exposed to a couple of allergens is enough for allergic reactions to occur. The immunity system produces the IgE antibody that it produces naturally against foreign and harmful substances when it is affected allergically. This situation causes itching, swelling, difficulties in breathing and in some cases anaphylactic shocks that cause death.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE?

- Enzyme deficiency in the body: The enzymes help foods to be digested in the body. These are located in the digestion system, liver, kidneys and other structures of the body. A person with enzyme deficiency cannot produce the enzyme adequately. This is generally a genetic disorder caused by the necessary code to produce enzyme not existing or becoming deformed.
In the enzyme deficiency, problems arise in the organ functions of the patients and food intolerance may be seen.
- Leaky gut syndrome: The gaps in the bowel wall are bigger in some people as compared to healthier people. Therefore, the protein molecules are absorbed without being completely degraded and digested by the body. These big molecules which are not completely degraded and digested in the body are one of the reasons for the food intolerance.
- Overconsuming the industrial and processed foods: Industrial and processed foods may contain some additives inside. (the main ones are food dyes, MSO, nitrite, nitrate compounds, preservatives) These substances accumulate in the body depending on the consumption frequency and develop food intolerance in the people due to their toxic effects.
- Long-term and continuous use of some medicines: Many of the medicines damage the intestinal flora especially if they are used for a long time and continuously. Especially antibiotics, painkillers, medicines containing cortisone, contraceptive pills, neuroleptic medicines are the main ones. The researches have shown that food intolerance may be seen in these people because of the disruption of the intestinal flora. (Dr. Natasha Campbell-mcBride)
Some illnesses: Another one of the reasons for food intolerance is the disruption of the intestinal flora.
Some viral infections, some infectious diseases, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, endocrine diseases, obesity, and neurological disorders generally give serious damages to the intestinal flora.
- Malnutrition: The changing lifestyle has also brought irregular and malnutrition along for many people. Staying hungry for a long time, overeating, excessive sugary and processed food consumption, nutrition always in the same type are among the factors that can seriously change and disrupt the composition of the intestinal flora.
This situation is shown among the factors causing food intolerance in some people.
Food intolerance might be experienced in the people due to these diseases.
- Stress and other factors: The short term stress create a destructive effect in the intestinal flora but it generally heals after the stressful situation goes away.
However, long term physical or psychological stress may cause permanent damage.
Advanced age, excessive alcohol consumption, being exposed to toxic substances may again be shown among the factors that trigger food intolerance.

WHAT ARE THE DISORDERS THAT MAY ARISE DUE TO FOOD INTOLERANCE?

­ Obesity and Overweight Problem
­ Bowel and Stomach Problems (swelling, gas, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, epigastric pains)
­ Skin Diseases (acne, psoriasis, urticaria, wounds in the mouth)
­ Migraine and Headaches
­ Chronical Exhaustion
­ Rheumatism and Joint Diseases

WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND FOOD INTOLERANCE?

Both hunger and depression are related to an important problem in our body. Serotonin deficiency in our body. The effect of serotonin on the psychological state is generally known. However, it has another effect which is very important. It helps us to feel full. It has been proven in the scientific researches that people who do not have a healthy serotonin production do not feel full even after a heavy meal. These people’s depression rates are much higher as compared to healthy people. Many people think that serotonin is produced only by the brain. However, the brain produces only 5% of the serotonin. 95% of it is produced in the small intestine.