It's one thing to say you are a unique individual with a unique story and that makes your food sensitivities unique, too…and it's another to actually be able to identify and name the unique root cause for your personal food sensitivities.
More frequently than you may think, the food item is not the culprit of your food reactivity. The challenge is there can be many different causes of those reactions…but each reaction is simply your body asking for help. The food isn't bad. The reaction isn't bad (other than you may feel miserable). It's all information you can use to solve your food sensitivity puzzle!
Here are a few examples:
The foods you eat have high histamine - and your body has challenges clearing histamine.
You love high sulfur foods but your body struggles to process and get rid of sulfur.
Environmental allergies are an issue for you, especially different grasses and pollen - your body can't always tell the difference between those grasses and other fruits, vegetables or herbs.
Maybe beef is one of the foods you react to - but you also have a history of a tick bite. This is another example of cross-reactivity. (Known as alpha-gal syndrome.)
None of these reactions, all of which are pretty common, are truly because of the food. Your body is telling you about something else going on by complaining about a food item. The food reaction becomes a clue in solving your puzzle!
It's the thing any more to seek out the "root cause" of any illness or disease instead of simply treating the symptoms. For many of us, looking at genetics becomes the first HUGE step in figuring out our food sensitivities and identifying the ultimate root cause. Because, really, can we get any more "root" than our genetics?!
If the thought of genetic testing is overwhelming for you, consider these points:
This kind of genetic testing isn't looking to diagnose you with something you're stuck with forever and ever. Instead, it's looking at how your body is programmed to function in an ideal situation.
There is nothing good or bad, right or wrong with this kind of testing. It is simply information to help you understand your body and what it is trying to tell you that much better. Knowledge is power, right?
The genes discussed in this blog and any of my training programs are supported by the evidence - the current scientific research.
And while we do work to support your biochemistry, there is absolutely no intention or effort to "change" genetics. (That would be really creepy, anyway!)
For most of us, genetics provides about 60% of the info we need to reduce food reactions. But it would be naive to say genetics tells the entire story. With the knowledge of your genetics, it is a lot easier to see where your body may need some support - and that translates into more easily finding more of your food sensitivity puzzle pieces.
Sixty-second Self-care Tip…
Since we're talking about genetics, let's quickly go over some of the options for testing. These are my preferred testing approaches, but certainly not an exhaustive list!
Ancestry.com Basic Kit + Strategene Report
Ancestry tests for so many of the critical biochemical genes, including MTHFR, COMT and MAOA. (Genes tested do change periodically.) Using the BASIC kit ($99), you'll get enough data to look at histamine, sulfur, and several different detox pathways - all of which play a role in food sensitivities. The only issue is being able to read and interpret the raw data report (where it all lives). For that, you'll need to get a Strategene Report by Seeking Health ($95). This will put your genetics into customized biochemical pathways which make understanding what's going on a LOT easier.
SmartDNA Advanced Pathways Test
This is a single-step test, meaning you do not need the Strategene. The SmartDNA Advanced Pathways Test does present the data in table form and not in picture pathway form, but the number of genes tested exceeds what Ancestry tests and what Strategene reports. The other benefit to this test is they are a private company (Australian) and they are committed to privacy; they do not save nor share your sample or genetics. This one does cost a bit more at about $270 but it's the only testing you'll need! (One note about pricing - the site lists prices in Australian dollars. When you check out, the current AUS$ to USD conversion rate applies. And that is in our favor in the US at the moment!)
Take a look at each option and then consider how knowing your own biochemistry could change your food sensitivity journey.
If it all sounds overwhelming or you would really like someone to walk you through, step-by-step, Food Sensitivity Code is coming really soon! Consider joining the waitlist and then consider ordering your genetics so you can work through your own information throughout the newly updated and recorded 5-module course. Who knows, you could have your reactions 50% calmer by Labor Day!