Food sensitivities

Causes of food sensitivities

Food sensitivities, or intolerances, have a wide range of causes. Inadequate digestion is a common cause of food sensitivity but the most common intolerances are due to an enzyme deficiency. People who are lactose intolerant lack sufficient production of the lactase enzyme which aids the digestion of dairy products.

Deficiencies in sugar enzyme production can lead to an overload of sugar which the body isn't capable of digesting. Incomplete digestion can be followed by bacterial fermentation which triggers excess gas, bloating and diarrhoea. Food sensitivities can also be caused by inadequate enzyme secretion by the pancreas.

Foods such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain complex sugars for which humans lack the right digestive enzymes. Without these enzymes, adverse reactions can occur. Food additives can also have an adverse toxic effect on the gastrointestinal tract leading to food reactions and sensitivities.

Some people find they become sensitive to certain foods during times of stress, hormonal changes or while suffering underlying medical conditions.

Symptoms of food sensitivities

There is a variety of symptoms related to food sensitivities from digestive problems, mood changes and skin reactions. Some of the common symptoms are listed below:

• abdominal pain
• bloating
• diarrhoea
• nausea
• vomiting
• indigestion
• cystitis
• fatigue
• weight loss/gain
• headaches
• constipation
• acne
• mouth ulcers
• rashes
• water retention
• aching joints/muscles

Diagnosis of food sensitivities

Food sensitivities and intolerances can be triggered by a number of causes and making an accurate diagnosis can be difficult. In the first instance, visit your GP who will ask about your symptoms and medical history.

If you are unsure which foods may be the problem, the GP may ask you to keep a food log to identify any patterns to the food you eat and your symptoms. This may be combined with some diagnostic tests such as blood tests, endoscopy and breath tests.

Blood tests are used to rule out Coeliac disease – a common disorder of the autoimmune system which causes the body to attack the small intestine when eating a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Blood tests can also help to screen for lactose intolerance.

An endoscopy involves a thin flexible tube with a camera being placed into the stomach through the oesophagus. This test can help diagnose Coeliac disease plus any damage to the small intestine.

A breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in the breath and is sometimes used to test for lactose intolerance.

Related terms

Food
Digestion
Stomach pain
Food intolerance
Food allergy
IBS