What constitutes a digestive issues? The bottom line is spending too much time in the bathroom, thinking about the bathroom, or experiencing fierce stomach pains which seem to have no cause. Often diagnosed as IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, or Diverticulitis, these are all related to inflammation in the gut.
Every time we eat the immune system comes to the food particle and decides immediately whether the new food is a friend or foe. In the case of a cold virus we welcome the immune decision to decide it is a foe and attack it unleashing inflammation. In a person having food reactions the immune system is deciding common foods are foe and releasing inflammation.
This inflammation over time wears down the lining of the small intestine where our nutrients are absorbed. This wearing down of the small intestine lining is commonly referred to as “leaky gut.” This inflammation increases the size of the natural openings in the small intestine allowing foods to get into the blood stream not broken down as intended and the immune system can attack the food there as well.
In folks with digestive issues they are experiencing symptoms at the first organ effected in a food reaction. This is good news because these symptoms are the first to respond to a specific dietary intervention and begin remission.
*If you are dealing with any of these symptoms it could be related to a food sensitivity:
- heartburn/reflux
- stomach pains/cramps
- intestinal pains/cramps
- constipation
- diarrhea
- bloating
- gas
- nausea
- vomiting
- painful elimination
- depression
- anxiety
- mood swings
- irritability
- fatigue
- insomnia at night
Client Story
I tried various medical treatments (anti-depressives, opiates, etc.) previous to receiving nutrition counseling. Since the doctors I’ve seen could not ever give me a concrete answer in regards to IBS-D, I took my medicine and continued to feel terrible for many years.
Since I’ve been seeing Elizabeth, I cannot say how marked the improvement was and continues to be. I came in with some skepticism, but that has quickly dissolved due to LEAP. The blood test I took allowed me to pinpoint exactly what was upsetting my system and that in concert with the elimination diet have given me a new lease on life.” —Happy client (In one month, client’s symptoms score went from 26 with 5 days missed work down to a score of 2 with 0 days of missed work.)
