DIGESTION & FOOD INTOLERANCE
Gastro-intestinal imbalance and food intolerances may be associated with digestion problems, stomach and intestinal discomfort, general body pain and stiffness. On a deeper level digestion problems can be involved in fatigue, skin troubles, headaches, poor concentration, poor sleep, neck and jaw pain as well as inflammatory, neurological and behaviour problems.
Repeated use of antibiotics, medicines, stress, genetics, microbes and environmental toxins can be involved in digestion challenges.
A balancing of the intestinal environment and flora can ease symptoms and give increased well-being.
DIGESTION
Discovering whether one’s digestion may be compromised can be very helpful in health improvement strategies.
Looking at the microflora can be useful. How is the balance between beneficial and non-beneficial bacteria? Is there a yeast overgrowth? Are there parasites?
Other things to consider are inflammation, the state of protein and carbohydrate digestion, and whether there is recirculation of hormones and toxins.
To clarify this information, Dale offers a private 3 day stool test from Genova Diagnostics in Asheville, USA. This test is simple and is taken at home. Ideally, one would take a food intolerance test from Biotek Laboratories at the same time to discover information about possible compromising foods. The results of these two tests together give valuable information on which one can base an individual intestinal improvement program.
It is also possible to work with intestinal improvement without testing. However, the tests simplify the process and can shorten the length of time for health improvements to be felt.
For more information on Genova Diagnostics three-day stool test see:
https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test
FOOD INTOLERANCE
A food intolerance is a slower type of immune system reaction than a food allergy. Food intolerances can be associated with joint pain, neck pain, stomach bloating, skin problems, respiratory problems, headaches, concentration difficulties, excess mucous etc.. In food intolerance reactions, the body makes specific antibodies, usually in the form of IgA and IgG.
Many people with food intolerances have several symptoms. These can include digestive troubles, skin symptoms, headaches, excess mucous (respiratory / digestive), joint pain, etc. Often the symptoms are vague and not always easily diagnosed. People can complain of being in a fog, feeling bloated, as well as being tired much of the time. A person suffering with a food intolerance may have one or more of the above symptoms.
Symptoms can last for many hours, often into the next day. Due to the diffuse nature, it isn’t always clear whether food intolerances are involved in chronic illness. In addition, it isn’t always apparent which foods may be responsible as people are often intolerant to several different foods at the same time.
One method for identifying intolerant foods is a finger-prick blood test. Dale offers one of the best food intolerance tests on the market. This test is analysed by US Biotek Laboratories in Seattle USA and tests for IgG and IgA antibodies for over 90 commonly intolerant foodstuffs.
The underlying reasons for food intolerance can vary from person to person. Possibilities may include loss of tolerance from stress, antibiotics, trauma or underlying disease, genetic predisposition, compromised microbial gut flora, and poor immune function.
Modern lifestyles lead us to eat the same type of food groups repeatedly, such as pasta, bread and cereals, and we eat in a hurry without giving our stomachs time to digest foods properly which can make an intolerance worse. Food intolerances can also manifest due to a lack of enzymes needed to break foods down. Others react to the chemicals that are produced naturally in foods such as caffeine, salicylates, and histamine in foods like strawberries, chocolate and cheese. Another possible trigger is additives in foods, such as sulphites, preservatives or nitrates.
A test result will normally lead to an informative list of foodstuffs that could be eliminated for several months to give the body a rest. During that time, possible underlying factors can be addressed to help reinstate a tolerance. Ideally, one would take a three-day stool test from Genova diagnostics at the same time to help give information about possible underlying causes such as bacterial, yeast or parasite overgrowth. The results of these two tests give valuable pointers on which one could base an individual intestinal improvement program.
It is also possible to work with intestinal improvement without testing. However, the tests simplify the process and can shorten the length time for health improvements to be felt.
For an example of an IgA / IgG test result see:
http://www.usbiotek.com/Downloads/samples/sample_general_iga_igg.pdf
Price per 85 minute digestion and food intolerance consultation: nok 1200 incl. mva Price for tests: see Private Tests page
