Go With Your Gut: 
Food Sensitivities Could be the Cause of Your Symptoms
 
You are ready to throw your hands up in the air with frustration because you have been to multiple doctors and had endless tests yet nothing is conclusive.  You may have chronic headaches, aches and pains, fatigue, digestive or skin issues to name a few and at a loss at how to find relief. 

Clinical studies conclusively show that adverse food and chemical reactions can cause inflammation presenting in a variety of symptoms associated with a wide range of common and often debilitating conditions.  These symptoms may appear 4 – 96 hours after ingestion making it difficult to determine exactly what is causing the inflammation.  Believe it or not, but inflammation caused by adverse food and chemical reactions starts in your gut!
 
Gut Health

The National Institute of Health has been a front runner in microbiome research and it's affect on the human body.  The microbiome is a compilation of healthy and harmful bacteria.  Our digestive tract needs these healthy bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Acidophilus) to maintain its health and integrity. 

The digestive tract is responsible not only for food digestion, but our nervous, hormonal and immune systems.  Many are unaware that 60 – 70% of the immune system resides in the large intestine emphasizing the importance of intestinal health.

• 95% of all chronic disease has an inflammatory component.
• Gut integrity prevents or sets the stage for food sensitivity, immune dysfunction, inflammation, & chronic disease.
• Determining and removing foods that cause inflammation can be an important part of breaking the cycle of chronic inflammation and improved patient outcomes.

 
Food Allergy vs. Sensitivity:  What is the difference?

Let us first review the differences between allergies and sensitivities.  People often say they are allergic to certain foods, but upon further assessment, the symptoms described are not those of food allergies, but rather food sensitivities or intolerances. 
 
What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system response to compounds found in foods.  Food allergies occur when the body mistakes the food eaten as an invader and sends antibodies to fight it.  This is what is called an IgE reaction. 

When a person with a food allergy eats an offending food, IgE triggers a chain of reactions that result in the body releasing chemicals, such as histamine to expel the “invader” from the body.  Depending on the tissue in which these chemicals are released, a person will present a variety of food allergy symptoms.  Typical symptoms present within 4 hours and may include anaphylaxis, runny nose, itchy mouth or eyes or hives.  For some, it is deadly. 
 
Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans and almonds), wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.  They are considered “the big eight” because they are the most common food allergens.  Together they make up about 90 percent of all food related allergic reactions.  Eggs, milk and peanuts are the most common allergens in children.  Unlike adults, children can sometimes outgrow their food allergies, especially to milk and soy. 
 
What is Food Intolerance/Sensitivity?

Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response (as in food allergies).  Food intolerances occur when the digestive system is unable to digest a particular food. These food particles can then enter the blood stream where the T helper cells see these foods as invaders and cause inflammation. 
 
Some symptoms of food intolerance overlap with food allergy symptoms.  People with food intolerances are usually able to consume small amounts of food without experiencing adverse reactions, while even small amounts of food allergens can cause severe reactions.  Unlike the immediate immune response seen with food allergies, food sensitivity reactions are delayed reactions by the immune system.  Because of the delay in response, it is often difficult to notice the offending foods that trigger the immune reaction. 
 
According to Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Nancy Cohen,RDN, extensive research has shown that excessive production of such molecules can attack and cause damage to normal tissues by triggering the inflammation response. 

Inflammation is believed to be the underlying process involved in disease formation, and can be a contributing cause to many common symptoms experienced by people including brain fog, fatigue, depression, rashes, sinus, respiratory and digestive symptoms, and diseases like celiac, thyroid, arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.
 
How do you know if you have Food Sensitivity?

There are several methods to determine food sensitivities. Some require eliminating entire food groups, keeping detailed food journals or taking a scientific blood test. 

• Food Group Elimination – Providers will instruct clients to eliminate specific foods groups such as wheat/gluten, corn, eggs, dairy and soy.  After eliminating all of the foods for 1 – 3 months, the client will add in one food group at a time to determine tolerance.  This is a lengthy process and can create a very restrictive diet.
• Food Journaling – This method is less precise and much more difficult to determine the food/symptom causation.   The client will write down everything they eat and symptoms as they occur.  Since food sensitivity symptoms are not immediate, it can be hard to determine which foods are causing the symptoms.
• Alcat Food Sensitivity Testing – This is a blood test that can scientifically measure the blood cell response when introduced to up to 400 different foods, chemicals, herbs, anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics.  The test will determine which items are causing the inflammation and individualize what needs to be eliminated from your diet. 

 
 
Establishing Good Gut Health
​
Maintaining good gut microflora is a constant battle.  Our bodies are continually being exposed to pathogens, pesticides in foods, antibiotics, foods causing sensitivities, processed foods and stress.  It takes a daily regiment of eating healthfully, eliminating foods that cause sensitivities and stress reduction to establish and maintain good gut health.
 
 
To learn more about food sensitivities and the Alcat test, contact Nancy Cohen, RDN, Nutritionist- Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul,LLC.   970-875-7114.

​A few years ago I got a phone call from an Alcat Dietitian asking if I wanted to bring this Food and Chemical Sensitivity work to my clients.  I said yes and decided to have my own panel run for the 400 plus items that could be tested.
​
It was Labor Day weekend and I was having TMJ and a headache. I couldn’t get into the doctor for a day or so.I had just taken an ibuprofen product to relieve the pain of my throbbing jaw.

The next day  my ALCAT results came back. BAM!  I was reacting to over 70 food  items and chemicals. I had a sensitivity to ibuprofen and a few other items that I used routinely and several beverages including black and green teas and more ( if you want to know my list I’ll share).

So I had just finished taking some ibubrofen  for what I thought was TMJ and my face was throbbing. I had also just finished eating 15 or more foods that I reacted too- typical scenario of my clients. I was even told by one of the doctors from my GI test that I was a candidate for Crohns/Colitis.  I was pretty frustrated.

I changed my food plan with the assistance of my Nutritionist- me, followed it diligently, added gut healing supplements. Within a few days the TMJ reduced to nothing and within a few months  my gi tract was calm and I had a perfect colonoscopy five months later.

You would be so surprised to see which inflammatory issues are influenced by leaky gut and Food Sensitivities.  I was so happy that I was the professional and the client.

If you struggle with have chronic headaches, aches and pains, fatigue, digestive or skin issues to name a few- then consider having The ALCAT Food and Chemical Sensitivity Test run today. Get to the bottom of ‘what is eating at you”.

Tests can be run nationwide and you can work with Nancy from the comfort of your own home.  
In good health,


​
​Nancy Cohen RDN LDN
Contact Nancy at 970-875-7114
feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul@gmail.com
St Augustine Florida, Steamboat Springs CO

​









​




Nutritional Hormones                 CadioMetabolic Genetics

Spectracell Micronutrient Testing at Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited about the Spectracell Micronutrient Testing that we offer at Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul. Please take a look at this information below and contact me with any questions.

ARE YOU IN CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH, OR IS IT CONTROLLING YOU?

Nutritional balance plays a key role in optimal wellness, chronic disease prevention and managing the aging process.

• Do you find yourself feeling stressed, tired and maybe a little depressed?
• Do you take prescription medicines to alleviate symptoms of certain conditions, but wonder why the condition exists at all?
• Do you want to boost your immune system now, to possibly prevent chronic disease later? 
• 
  
  

SPECTRACELL'S MICRONUTRIENT TESTING OFFERS THE MOST ACCURATE, SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN METHOD OF ASSESSING NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES.

Be Proactive, NOT Reactive

Traditionally, a person waited to go to the doctor at the first signs of a symptom.  Today, individuals are looking for way to not only manage illness with personalized treatment plans, but they are also seeking to achieve a higher level of wellness.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising and taking a multivitamin is simply not enough.  Each person's body is unique in its own way.  Due to the complexity of the human body, an individualized healthcare approach is the only way to guarantee optimal results.

What is Micronutrient Testing?

SpectraCell's Micronutrient tests measure the function of 35 nutritional components including vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids within our white blood cells.  Scientific evidence shows us that analyzing the white blood cells gives us the most accurate analysis of a body's deficiencies.
​
What results will I see?

SpectraCell's Micronutrient lab results include an overview page with all deficiencies listed, numeric and graphic reports easily identifying deficiencies and repletion and supplementation recommendations.

SpectraCell's Micronutrient test includes:
Vitamins

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12
• Biotin
• Folate
• Pantothenate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K

Minerals

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Copper

Amino Acids

• Asparagine
• Glutamine
• Serine

Fatty Acids

• Oleic Acid

Antioxidants

• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Coenzyme Q10
• Cysteine
• Glutathione
• Selenium
• Vitamin E

Carbohydrate Metabolism

• Chromium
• Fructose Sensitivity
• Glucose-Insulin Metabolism

Metabolites

• Choline
• Inositol
• Carnitine

SPECTROX™
for Total Antioxidant Function

IMMUNIDEX™
Immune Response Score

Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to affect the function of the immune system which can contribute to degenerative processes such as arthritis.

How do I get my Micronutrient tests?

Contact Nancy at Feeding The Body Feeding The Soul- she can tell you more about SpectraCell's Micronutrient tests. Together you can select the right test for you.

970-875-7114
​info@feedingthebodyfeedingthesoul.com

​

Here is Some Wonderful Information about the Basic Level IET Class- contact Nancy today to register for this wonderful class in Sunny St. Augustine- Wednesday June 15th 4 pm- 10 pm. 970-875-7114

​Our Basic Level Integrated Energy Therapy® Training class

Prerequisites 
This is our entry-level class and there are no prerequisites required for attendance at this class.

Description
Even though we call this class “basic level” this class provides you with everything you need to do a powerful Integrated Energy Therapy® session on yourself or on another person (either in person or absentee). This class has been designed to be a wonderful entry level class for those students wanting to use energy therapy to heal their lives, an ideal class for students wanting to begin an energy therapy practice, and it provides a wonderful complement to other holistic techniques such as Massage, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch. Only IET Master-Instructors are authorized to teach this class.

Basic Attunement
You will receive a special Basic Level “energy attunement” that will permanently open your energy field to the power of Integrated Energy Therapy® Basic level ray. Our Basic Level attunement expands, realigns, and restructures the 1st pair (physical) and 2nd pair (emotional) of your 12 Strand DNA. Once attuned to the Basic Level IET Ray, you will have the ability to clear cellular memory of physical and emotional blockages.

Angelic Heartlinks: Integrated Energy Therapy® is known as “Healing with the Energy of Angels”. You will learn to access the energy of angels through a simple yet powerful process that we call a Heartlink.

A “heartlink” is a connection made with the angelic realm in which you visualize a golden chord going from your heart, through your throat, up through your head and then up to the angelic realm or to a specific angel, usually Angel Ariel or one of the other “Healing Angels of the Energy Field”.

​Once your Heartlink has been established, you will learn how to send love up to the angelic realm or that specific angel and you will find that the love returned is multiplied from the angels to further assist you in the healing of yourself or others. This Heartlink is invaluable in and of itself, however, when it is used in conjunction with the accessing of the energy system, it becomes extremely powerful and effective.

​