Dr. Hitkari, Naturopathic Physician believes that a healthy digestive system is critical to having a healthy immune system since more than 70% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract.  To help patients achieve optimal health, Dr. Hitkari, helps patients determine which foods they are allergic or sensitive to.

 

Food allergies and sensitivities are immune system reactions to food resulting in the formation of antibodies.  They cause many of the same symptoms but differ by the type of antibody they produce and the speed of onset of symptoms.  When we are sensitive to a food, our immune system produces an antibody known as IgG.  When we are allergic to food, our bodies produce an antibody called IgE.  Food allergies often cause immediate and obvious reactions, such as anaphylaxis; whereas, food sensitivities cause a delayed reaction which may take up to 48 hours to produce a symptom.  Food sensitivities are more difficult for patients to discover on their own because of this delay.  

 

Symptoms caused by food allergy and/or food sensitivities are varied and may include:

 

• Bloating

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Heartburn

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea 

• Vomiting  

• Headaches

• Rashes

• Inflammation

• Joint pain

• Mood swings

• Brain fog

• Fatigue

• Sinus/lung congestion

• Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)

 

There are two main ways in which to discover food allergies and sensitivities.  One way is to try an elimination diet where common allergens are removed from your diet for a period of time and, then, introduced back in a slow and methodical way to determine if you have any adverse reactions.  Another way is to perform a simple blood test that looks for and measures the amount of IgE (allergy) and IgG (sensitivity) antibodies in the blood.  

 

Once Dr. Hitkari has helped you to identify which foods you are allergic or sensitive to, she will help you create a healthy, nutritious diet to follow.  She will also teach you how to detoxify your body and repair any potential damage caused by previously consuming foods that caused reactions.

 

To learn more about food allergy and sensitivity testing, click here.

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