Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Blog· Digestive Health· Food Allergy and Sensitivity

Food Allergies, Sensitivity, and Intolerance– What Does it Mean?

It seems like just about every restaurant and bakery has gluten free options these days. We hear about gluten free diets having life changing effects online and even on the news, but how much validity is there to these food sensitivities? Is it possible for someone to be sensitive to a food that does not show up on a true allergy test?

First of all, what is the difference between a food allergy, a food intolerance, and a food sensitivity? Can they be used interchangeably? Naturopathic Doctor Todd. A. Born explains that while the treatments for all three, overlap, there are key differences that patients should note. Unlike true food allergies with reactions within minutes of eating the food, or food intolerances wherein reactions are limited to within the gut, food sensitivities can have delayed, “more vague and varied” symptoms for people – examples being headaches, brain fog, autoimmune disease symptoms, rashes, or digestive issues.

Why are wheat and gluten such a hot topic? Dr. Giulia Enders states in her book, Gut, that wheat in particular is a fussy grain because it has “a very short window of opportunity for its seeds to grow and carry on the family line.” It even has the capability to inhibit an important digestive enzyme in insects that try to eat the wheat plants. As humans, when we find ourselves chowing down on a delicious bowl of pasta, gluten can pass into the cells of the gut in a partially undigested state and can then loosen the connections between our cells. This may allow wheat proteins to sneak into areas we don’t want them in, setting off an INTRUDER alarm in our bodies called an immune response.

For those who have celiac disease, a harmful reaction can be caused by even just 50 milligrams of gluten (around the size of a crouton). The result of eating wheat with celiac disease can be severe, with the possibility of infections, damage to the gut and nervous system, inability to absorb nutrients from food, seizures, and more. Only 1 in 100 people has celiac disease, but many more suffer from gluten sensitivity, wherein the symptoms experienced are similar, but intestinal damage is not done.

Many with gluten sensitivities can still enjoy gluten in moderation and others see improvement in their digestion, brain fog, energy, and more when they cut out gluten for even a week. Maybe this sounds familiar: All my life I have had no problem with bread and now I can’t seem to eat a bite of a bagel without bloating up! So, where did this sudden sensitivity to gluten come from? As it turns out, our guts can actually become temporarily more porous during times of high stress, drinking heavy amounts of alcohol, or taking a course of antibiotics. This temporary change in your gut can set off the reaction explained above, causing an immune response to foods you’ve been able to enjoy freely in the past.

The good news? For many, elimination of immune-response causing foods for a couple months can be what your gut needs to heal. After that elimination phase, gluten or other foods that were cut out can be slowly reintroduced, in moderation. Chances are, most of what was causing issues before will be able to be successfully reintroduced into your diet. We recommend working with a trained practitioner to help you eliminate the correct foods as gluten, despite how much of a buzz word it is these days, may not be the only culprit for your digestive unrest.

Authored by Ellen Davenport

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/going-gluten-free-just-because-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201302205916

“Allergies, An Immunologic Approach” – An interview with Todd A. Born, ND, CNS in Emerson Element Issue #2 2018.

Enders, Giulia. GUT: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ. 2018.

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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