Hopefully, my last post has you thinking about food sensitivities. What are food sensitivities, who do they affect, and what do they do to the body?
I recently became a Certified LEAP Therapist and now offer the LEAP (Lifestyle Eating and Performance) program through Sara B Consulting. LEAP targets the identification and treatment of delayed food sensitivities often associated with Fibromyalgia, IBS, migraine headache and auto-immune conditions.
I plan to educate my readers more about LEAP and food sensitivities as time goes on.
Below is an article from fellow CLT (Certified LEAP therapist) and dietitian Lori Graff, RD, LD, CLT (RD @ Hy-Vee on Grand Avenue).
Is your diet causing your inflammation and sub-par performance?
ByLori Graff, RD, LD, CLT
(article featured in the March issue of Momentum Magazine)
As an athlete, you look to nutritious foods and fluids to nourish your body, promote good health and enhance your sports performance. What if the foods you assume to be healthy are causing you adverse reactions and impacting your performance?
It is a surprise for most people when they are told it is not the unhealthy but the healthy foods that cause them to feel sick. Food sensitivities can be caused by foods (apples, salmon, chicken), food chemicals (salicylates, tyramine, fructose) and/or food additives including artificial color and preservatives. Food sensitivities, which differ from food allergies, cause a wide range of inflammation ranging from mild to debilitating. Key symptoms of food sensitivities include heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, bloating, migraines, inflammation, mental fog, depression, muscle aches and joint pain. Typically a food sensitivity is treated with medication but because the underlying cause (certain foods) is not taken away, the symptoms persist.
While most people have one or several of the typical reactions caused by food sensitivities, Certified LEAP therapists are seeing an increase in both collegiate and professional athletes, including golfers, football and baseball players taking the MRT (mediator release test). When they do not eat their reactive foods, the athletes report overall better performance and their muscles are not as sore after playing.
Food sensitivities are distinctly different from an IgE mediated food allergy. Food sensitivities involve multiple triggering mechanisms and multiple types of white cells that release many kinds of proinflammatory and proalgesic mediators. A food allergy is an immune system response. A food allergy occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. Symptoms from food allergies include itching, wheezing, cramping, swelling and anaphylactic shock – which can occur within minutes and result in death.
Without a person’s taking a food sensitivity test, it is very challenging to identifying the reactive foods and/or food chemicals. Unlike food allergies, symptoms may be delayed by hours or up to three days after ingestion. Sensitivities are dose-related, which means a small or moderate amount may not bother you but a large amount will. There are usually 10 to 20 different foods and/or food chemicals causing reactions instead of just the one or two as with a food allergy.
If it sounds like food sensitivity testing can be helpful for you, choose your test carefully as they are not all created equal. The LEAP- MRT (Mediator Release Test) accounts for all seven types of food sensitivity reactions, and offers trained therapists to explain your immunocalming elimination diet based on your results. A trained therapist will help you focus on all the foods you can eat to train and perform at your best.
Thanks Lori!
To read a few LEAP testimonials click here.
In honor of Leap Day, I am offering free prescreens and 10% off LEAP services for the next 4 weeks. If you are interested in learning more about if you are a candidate for LEAP therapy, inquire by emailing sara@sarabconsulting.com.
Until next time…
look good, feel good, do good
Sara B.
