When you eat a food that you are sensitive to, your immune system reacts by releasing cells called antibodies (IgG). These antibodies form complexes that can attack different parts of your body. Now, yes, your immune system will try to clean them up before they cause damage but depending on how healthy you are overall, your immune system may have a limited capacity to do so.
What is the end result? You end up having a higher amount of antibody complexes attacking your joints or muscles or vessels causing chronic inflammation, headaches and/or pain.
How can you find out if this is your problem? It is simple! We can do a blood test to figure out what your food sensitivities or intolerances are. Click here for more information on Food Intolerance Test. Note that these are NOT food allergies! Food sensitivities are not immediate reaction, they are more delayed reactions (up to 3 days after eating the specific food).
If those of you who have not had the test done but are dealing with chronic pain and inflammation, please consider changing your diet to a more hypoallergenic one. Here is a chart to follow:
AVOID | RECOMMENDED | |
FRUITS | Orange & Orange juice | Fresh fruit, unsweet dried, or frozen |
VEGETABLES | Corn, any creamed vegetables. Some need to avoid nightshade family: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers | All fresh raw, steamed, sautéed, juiced or roasted vegetables |
STARCH / BREAD | Gluten grains (wheat, barley, spelt, kamut, rye) | Rice, millet, quinoa, amaranth, tapioca, buckwheat. Some can tolerate oats. |
LEGUMES | Tofu, tempeh, soy beans | All legumes including peas and lentils |
NUTS & SEEDS | Peanuts, peanut butter | Almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, sesame (tahini), sunflower, pumpkin, nut butters |
MEAT & FISH | Beef, pork cold cuts, sausages, canned meats, shellfish, eggs | All fresh or frozen fish, chicken, turkey, wild game, lamb, water packed fish. |
DAIRY | Milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream, soy milk | Milk substitutes such as rice milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, egg replacer |
FATS | Margarine, butter, shortening, processed and hydrogenated oils, mayonnaise, spreads, poultry skin, deep fried foods (chips, donuts) | Cold pressed olive oil, flaxseed oil, organic canola, safflower oil, coconut oil. |
BEVERAGES | Sodas, diet sodas, sports beverages, alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea | Water, caffeine free herbal teas, swiss water decaf, mineral water |
SPICES & CONDIMENTS | Chocolate, ketchup, soy sauce, BBQ sauce, bottled mustard | Unsweetened vinegar, tamari sauce, all spices including salt & pepper, cinnamon, cumin, dill, garlic, ginger, carob, oregano, parsley, dry mustard, rosemary, thyme or turmeric |
SWEETENERS | White or brown sugar, honey, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, evaporate cane juice | Brown rice syrup, stevia, blackstrap molasses, agave nectar |
For more information on how to find out if you chronic pain is due to food intolerances call us for a 10 minute Free Meet & Greet at 905-239-3900. We are happy to help!