Moving Beyond Sunscreen and Dermatology
May 10, 2024
In the realm of modern medicine, skin health is often narrowly approached. Sunscreen is touted as the ultimate solution, and regular dermatologist check-ups are the norm. But are these practices sufficient? Believing sunscreen alone can protect our skin is easy, given its heavy marketing. Similarly, annual dermatologist visits seem responsible. However, do these practices truly address skin health complexities?
Many overlook deeper reasons behind skin issues, treating symptoms without tackling root causes. Blaming sun exposure for every problem neglects broader health and lifestyle factors. Our healthcare system often opts for quick fixes over holistic approaches, ignoring traditional wisdom.
It's time to reconsider. Instead of viewing the sun as solely harmful, acknowledge its role in vitamin D production. Moderation is key, balancing sun exposure benefits with potential risks. We're not discrediting modern medicine; it's about finding a balance. Embrace a holistic skincare approach, considering lifestyle and environmental factors. By understanding root causes, embracing natural solutions, and questioning conventional wisdom, we prioritize long-term skin health over quick fixes.
4 Tips for You Skincare Shift
- Understand the Root Causes: Rather than simply treating surface symptoms, it's important to understand the underlying reasons behind skin issues. Everything from diet and lifestyle to environmental factors can impact skin health.
- Embrace Natural Solutions: Instead of viewing the sun as solely harmful, recognize its importance in providing essential vitamin D. Moderate sun exposure, along with a balanced lifestyle and proper nutrition, can contribute to overall skin health.
- Question Conventional Wisdom: Challenge the dogmas of modern skincare and dermatology. Are chemical-laden sunscreens truly safer than natural sun exposure? Are yearly dermatologist visits sufficient for addressing all aspects of skin health?
- Prioritize Holistic Health: Shift your focus from quick fixes to long-term wellness. Consider lifestyle factors, environmental influences, and individual needs when it comes to skincare. By prioritizing holistic health, you can pave the way for a more balanced approach to skincare that encompasses all aspects of well-being.
By adopting these steps and shifting our mindset, we can move beyond the limitations of traditional skin care practices and embrace a more holistic approach to skin health.
Dysbiosis (also called dysbacteriosis) is a term for a microbial imbalance or maladaptation on or inside the body, such as an impaired microbiota. Typical microbial colonies found on or in the body are normally benign or beneficial. These beneficial and appropriately sized microbial colonies carry out a series of helpful and necessary functions, such as aiding in digestion. They also help protect the body from the penetration of pathogenic microbes. These beneficial microbial colonies compete with each other for space and resources. The gut microbiome is an ecosystem of microbes that need to exist in a harmonious balance for you to feel well. We have a symbiotic relationship with these microbes, and when they’re thrown off balance it can cause all sorts of discomfort. An example of a type of dysbiosis is candida overgrowth, which happens when the fungus candida overtakes other microbes. While you always have some candida in your gut, if you have too much it can cause a white film on your tongue, brain fog, and many other symptoms. Dysbiosis has been associated with numerous health conditions and should be taken very seriously. Dysbiosis can also lead to leaky gut. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Paul Reicherter.
If chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) is suspected, we would conduct a blood test to check for the genes HLA-DR and HLA-DQ which indicate CIRS susceptibility. We also test for high amounts of cytokine in your blood and marked differences in levels of the following hormones and antibodies: Vasoactive intestinal peptide – Responsible for regulating the absorption of water and electrolytes in your gut. Also responsible for some heart and vascular functions. Low levels can cause watery diarrhea and indicate CIRS. Transforming growth factor Beta 1 – A specific type of cytokine, responsible for cell division and death. Large numbers indicate CIRS, and may be linked to your symptom of shortness of breath. Melanocyte stimulating hormone – Otherwise known as MSH, this hormone controls the pigment of your skin but it also regulates how much cytokine your body makes. Low levels indicate CIRS, as your body is unable to shut down production of cytokine. C4A – Part of the complement group, these are a group of proteins that work with your immune system. They are responsible for activating your neutrophil cells, which can worsen inflammation. Large numbers can indicate CIRS. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) – This hormone normally regulates your cortisol levels. Your ACTH levels may initially be high and then can drop when symptoms are more prevalent. Cortisol – This hormone has many different functions in the body but is released in great quantities when you are stressed or your immune system requires back-up. Cortisol levels may be high initially but then drop over time. Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) IgA/IgE – These antibodies are produced in response to gliadin. Often triggered if you have a gluten sensitivity, but they are also affected by mold biotoxins. VEGF – Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor stimulates blood vessel formulation. CIRS patients usually show a deficiency in VEGF. Leptin – This hormone helps regulate fat storage in the body. High levels of leptin result in quick, easy weight gain, another signifier of chronic inflammatory response syndrome. Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) IgA/IgG/IgM – These antibodies are often seen in patients with autoimmune disorders. Heightened numbers usually indicate that your body is dealing with high levels of inflammation. In fact, your antibodies are often attacking your healthy tissues instead of the biotoxins. Antidiuretic hormone – This hormone is responsible for the regulation and balance of water in your body, your blood pressure, and concentration of urine being made in your kidneys. Reduced levels of ADH for a CIRS patient means that you suffer from dehydration, increased thirst, and frequent urination. MMP-9 – This enzyme is responsible for many different bodily processes from memory and wound healing, to blood vessel formation. Increased levels are a sign of chronic inflammatory response syndrome. We also take a full history – not only of your health, but also of your environment. We need to establish if the mold exposure is ongoing, due to an infestation in your living or working environment, or whether your symptoms were triggered in the past. Only by establishing these facts can we then treat you effectively. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
There is good news when it comes to autoimmune disease – in many cases, it is possible to completely reverse autoimmune conditions. Sometimes there are ways to live with an autoimmune disease so that it causes minimal interference in your life. Autoimmune disease treatment looks different for everyone, but one place we always start is with your gut health. Because the gut is largely responsible for your immune system regulation, we must start the healing process there first. First, we check for any underlying gut conditions and work to heal things like leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut happens when the junctions of your gastrointestinal lining become loose and allow particles to flow into your bloodstream. This causes widespread inflammation and immune system dysregulation. As you can imagine, for us to restore balance to your immune system we must restore balance here first. We also take a full history and find areas where we can reduce stress on the body, while maximizing healing processes. Again, this process looks a little different for everyone, which is why functional medicine is a great approach for battling autoimmune disease. Next, we work to rebuild gut health. This usually includes a specialized diet, supplements, treatments, and therapy. Together we will make sure you completely understand what’s going on every step of the way so you feel supported and never lost. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
Health The Gut Lining. Leaky gut leads to a lot of the symptoms listed above that aren’t so obviously caused by gastrointestinal health . For example, allergies and food sensitivities are a very common sign that you may have a leaky gut. In fact, when we have a patient who comes in with multiple food sensitivities, we assume that they have a leaky gut. Heal the Gut Lining What we do next is take steps to heal the gut lining, which helps restore immune system function. When we repair a leaky gut, we can help your body regain its strength so it can begin to take care of itself again. That’s always our ultimate goal, to restore the important self-healing processes within your body so you can enjoy life again. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
Do you find yourself feeling bloated after certain meals or waking up with a headache? Maybe part of your morning routine consists of taking medication to reduce your hives or flushing – but you haven’t figured out what exactly you’re allergic to? Trying to identify triggers, especially related to diet , can be very confusing and frustrating. Our body has built-in protection – our immune system. Among other cells, our immune system also consists of mast cells, which can release a wide variety of chemical mediators such as: Histamine Interleukins Prostaglandins Cytokines Chemokines When you are exposed to an allergen, toxin, and/or injury, these chemical mediators, especially histamine can be released into your body. These chemical mediators can affect multiple organ systems including the respiratory, circulatory, integumentary, digestive, muscular and nervous system. Some symptoms of histamine intolerance can include headache, migraines, sinus symptoms, fatigue, hives, flushing, nausea, vomiting, digestive issues. However, if you’re struggling with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), your mast cells are over-producing histamines whether there is a trigger or not. Regardless if you’re struggling from MCAS or histamine intolerance, your diet stands at the centerpiece for healing because certain foods are high in histamine. And these foods may be contributing to your histamine intolerance symptoms. What Are Mast Cells and Histamine? Histamine lives inside your mast cells and play a large role in your immune system. Histamine sends a battle cry to your body’s cells and tissues when an invader is sensed. Your blood vessels dilate, which helps your body’s troops arrive as fast as possible to fight the invader. When histamine is released from your mast cells several things may happen: Increased gastric acid secretion leading to bloating, flatulence, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea Increased heart rate Flushing Headache Itching Hives Sinus congestion In rare, more serious cases, histamine can trigger asthma attacks or even cardiac arrest. We have four types of histamine receptors – H1, H2, H3, and H4. Antihistamine medications can block these histamine receptors. For example, blockers of H1 receptors can treat flushing, hives, headaches, and itching, and blockers of H2 receptors treat gastrointestinal symptoms, most commonly acid reflux. Although these medications can reduce symptoms, they aren’t treating the root cause of why you may feel like a bloated, itchy version of yourself. Since these chemical messengers released by your mast cells produce both a local and systemic effect – symptoms of histamine intolerance can be confusing and difficult to diagnosis. Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a disorder, which is not yet fully understood. What we do know is signaling pathways can develop errors and cause histamine to be released at an inappropriate rate. MCAS can contribute to symptoms of excess histamine including: Fatigue Itching Hives Mood changes Asthma and wheezing Gastrointestinal distress – diarrhea, bloating, nausea A few potential triggers of MCAS include: Stress Fatigue Diet Medications –– antibiotics, narcotics, contrast dyes, NSAIDs Mold Infection Lyme disease Environmental toxins such as heavy metals Exercise Contributing Factors to Histamine Intolerance There are several contributing factors to histamine intolerance – your diet plays a role as well as stress levels and your gut health. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth ( SIBO ) can also contribute to histamine intolerance. If you have an imbalance or overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine – this can lead to increased intestinal permeability also known as leaky gut syndrome. This increased gut permeability can allow for high histamine foods to enter the bloodstream which otherwise would stay in the gut – potentially leading to histamine intolerance. Histamine Found in Your Foods The foods you eat are a major source of histamine in your body. If you’re struggling with histamine intolerance or mast cell activation syndrome, it’s important to first start with an elimination diet. An elimination diet consists of avoiding foods high in histamine. You can then start to slowly add these foods back into your diet – taking note of which ones trigger your histamine intolerance symptoms. Foods which have high levels of histamine include: Fermented dairy products such as cheese, sour cream, and yogurt Tuna and Mackerel Fermented vegetables such as kimchi, sauerkraut Raw and cured meat products Pickles Soybean paste Red pepper paste Mayonnaise Ketchup Fermented beverages – wine, beer, kombucha Chocolate Certain fruits and vegetables such as bananas, pineapple, tomatoes Fermented foods can potentially feed bad gut bacteria as well if you already have an unhealthy gut. These foods can subsequently contribute to conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and irritable bowel syndrome. Fresh fruits and vegetables can also lead to histamine intolerance, which can make identifying your trigger foods a challenge. Not only do certain foods have higher histamine levels, but a 2017 study found the way you prepare your food can have an effect on histamine. Grilling and frying food were found to increase histamine levels. Boiling food was found to have no effect and can even reduce histamine levels. Low Histamine Diets Can Be Tricky Low histamine diets can be a challenge no doubt. It’s a strict diet, which eliminates many popular foods. Fortunately, studies have actually shown changing to a histamine-free diet for only 4 weeks can show improvements of histamine intolerance symptoms as well as serum histamine levels. So you might be wondering just what can you eat on a low histamine diet? Fresh is best on a low histamine diet. Foods to fill your grocery basket with, for a low histamine diet includes: Fresh and organic meat, poultry, pork, and fish (if you use frozen meat/fish, thaw quickly and use immediately) Vegetables such as arugula, beets, bell peppers, lettuce (not spinach), leeks, kale, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, squash, and onions Gluten-free grains and rice Almond or coconut milk Fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots, blueberries, blackberries, melon, and mangoes The challenge while on your low histamine diet lies in identifying what triggers your specific histamine response. Elimination diets can help dial in what triggers your individual histamine intolerance symptoms. What affects one person might not affect another. The stress often associated with food elimination diets can also contribute to histamine release so using a collaborative approach is key. Stress is also a key factor in SIBO and IBS – therefore working with a physician to develop your low histamine diet safely is helpful. There is no single test to determine if you have a histamine intolerance or identify which foods you’re more sensitive to. But by working with an experienced physician to create a plan to help you discover those foods – you’re more likely to be successful and create your personalized low histamine diet. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
Watching your parent, spouse, or significant “other” struggle to find words and memories can be heartbreaking and often frightening. They may be more forgetful – frequently misplacing items or losing their sense of direction. You may have noticed they take longer completing everyday tasks such as paying bills, preparing dinner or getting dressed. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease can make you feel alone – sadly, this is not the case. There are close to six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and the statistics grow even greater with those battling cognitive decline. Before 2014, those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s were given little hope with their bleak diagnosis. Their only choice was medications (never proven to work) for them to try, hoping they might slow down the disease’s symptoms. But with Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ground-breaking research in his ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) protocol, there’s a new bright light at the end of the tunnel for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting over 5.7 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in adults. It’s a disease which is becoming a national health epidemic and is anticipated to greatly shape the face of healthcare in the future. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and is divided into three stages: Mild Moderate Severe The hallmark sign for Alzheimer’s disease is a build-up of beta-amyloid plaques, tau proteins, and activated glial cells in your brain. This build-up leads to miscommunication between your neurons resulting in memory loss, impaired judgment, and cognitive decline. Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include: Progressive memory loss, which could be mild at first Taking more time to complete tasks Getting lost or losing items Personality or mood changes Difficulty remembering names or words Decreased conversations Difficulty dressing, bathing, eating, and cleaning Depression Agitation The greatest risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease have always focused on genes, specifically the apolipoprotein E e4 allele (ApoE4), and age – two uncontrollable risk factors. Fortunately, with Dr. Bredesen’s research, he has identified multiple lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as metabolic imbalances causing Alzheimer’s. These controllable risk factors now give you the power to prevent and even reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Treated? With conventional treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, a monotherapeutic approach with medication is given to cognitively impaired patients. This single pill approach has not been successful in reversing Alzheimer’s – it may only slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms. These medications focus on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, not the root cause of why these proteins are building up on the brain. However, through Dr. Bredesen’s ReCODE protocol, we are now looking at the body as a whole and treating Alzheimer’s with a multi-therapeutic approach. With this approach, he has discovered ways to prevent and even reverse cognitive impairment. Although in its infancy, Dr. Dale Bredesen’s research has led him to uncover the defining characteristics of Alzheimer’s – uncovering the “why.” Functional Medicine Approach to Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease is no doubt a complicated and complex disease to treat, which is why monotherapy hasn’t proven successful – there are multiple factors causing this disease. The Reversal of Cognitive Decline, also known as the ReCODE Protocol , is a functional medicine approach to Alzheimer’s disease. It focuses on 45 underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease in the individual. The ReCODE protocol is designed for those with pre-symptomatic cognitive decline, mild cognitive decline (MCI), subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This protocol uncovers the active pathways of the cause of cognitive decline in the specific individual. These active pathways include defining characteristics such as: Genome Metabolic issues Toxicity Inflammation Mitochondrial damage Gut permeability Imbalanced hormones Nutrient deficiencies Through Dr. Bredesen’s study , patients who had to quit their jobs due to their cognitive decline were able to return to their positions after this functional medicine approach to Alzheimer’s. Patients, as well as their family members and coworkers, were interviewed and found restoration in several areas of cognitive function with his ReCODE protocol. What Does ReCODE Consist of? Dr. Bredesen’s ReCODE Protocol is a computer-based algorithm, which determines the contributing factors of the individual that are causing neurodegenerative cognitive decline. It evaluates large datasets of genomic, biochemical, functional, and radiological data from the patient. Examples of the factors taken into consideration as causes include: Inflammation Chronic pathogen exposure Trophic withdrawal Insulin resistance Vascular compromise Trauma Exposure to certain toxins such as mold Gut health These risk factors can lead to an anti-trophic effect – or reduction of communication – in how our brains work and function. Someone with one or several of these risk factors may have early signs of Alzheimer’s disease or may be suffering from more advanced symptoms. Ways the ReCODE Protocol can be utilized once risk factors have been identified: Treating pathogens such as Borrelia or the Herpes viruses as well as others Repairing gut permeability and strengthening gut microbiome Restoring insulin sensitivity and reducing protein glycation Rebalancing nutrition and hormone levels Reducing toxin and heavy metal exposure as well as mold detoxification By identifying and treating these risks factors, doctors have been able to reverse the symptoms of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison and Dr. Paul Reicherter.
When you’re always searching for the nearest bathroom or unable to join friends at certain restaurants, digestive issues can really hinder your quality of life. You may start secluding yourself from social situations if you’re having constant bouts of intestinal issues. It’s not fun when you feel as if your body has turned against you, taking away your freedom. There’s a diverse community of microbes, both good and bad, in your gut. These gut microflora are all trying to compete for real estate on your intestinal walls since it’s the perfect environment for them. This is a good thing if most of the bacteria settling down in your intestinal tract are beneficial bacteria. These healthy bacteria help strengthen your immune system and promote digestion and absorption. But if pathogenic bacteria overpopulate your beneficial bacteria, it can really cause a commotion in the neighborhood. These harmful bacteria release gas and toxic byproducts which can lead to constipation, diarrhea, inflammation , and other digestive issues. An overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in your small intestine, also known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), could be the culprit taking away your digestive freedom. What you feed this rich ecosystem of microbes in your gut plays a significant role in letting you get your independence, and your health back. Reverse the Vicious Cycle An overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine is prompted by certain environmental factors which disturb the balance of your gut bacteria. Certain triggers which can cause SIBO include: Antibiotics Overuse of antacids Reduced stomach acidity Poor nutrition Prior bowel surgery Heavy alcohol use Oral contraceptive pills If there’s an imbalance in your gut bacteria, consuming and avoiding certain foods can either hinder or help rebalance your gut microbes. Harmful bacteria thrive off of complex carbohydrates in your diet. These non-digestible molecules are leftover for your bad microbes to gobble up through the fermentation process. During fermentation, these bacteria leave behind harmful waste products which irritate and damage your gut. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is designed to help digestive disorders by eliminating many complex carbohydrate sources including all grains, dairy products, most sugars, and many starches. Digestive disorders including inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also affect your intestines resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet can be helpful in reversing the vicious cycle happening in your gut and begin to heal your gut. Studies show The Specific Carbohydrate Diet can vastly improve symptoms in the following digestive disorders: Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth Inflammatory bowel disease Celiac disease Diverticulitis Irritable bowel syndrome Chronic diarrhea Leaky gut By altering your nutrition, you can alter your gut microflora species and population, restore your beneficial gut bacteria, and heal your digestive tract. The Art of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet The Specific Carbohydrate Diet was developed by Elaine Gottschall to help her child whom was suffering from severe ulcerative colitis. After years of clinical studies with Dr. Sidney Haas, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, when followed strictly, has shown improvement in up to 75% of patients. Food is a powerful substance for your digestive tract. It has the ability to change the diverse ecosystem of microbes inhabiting your gut. This could be a good thing if you’re eating nutritious food. But, on the other hand, if you’re consuming a poor diet, it can catapult you into a spiral of digestive health issues. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet allows you to eat simple carbohydrates such as monosaccharides. Monosaccharides are easily broken down by your digestive tract. These single molecular structures don’t leave leftovers for pathogenic microbes to thrive off of. Complex carbohydrates such as disaccharides (double molecules) and polysaccharides (chain molecules) are finger-licking good for your bad bacteria, helping them dominate your beneficial bacteria. Specific Carbohydrate Diet Basics For those struggling with mild digestive issues, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet can be just a short-term diet. Once the bacteria is finally eliminated, you can usually start to slowly introduce restricted foods back into your diet. But if you’re severely affected by intestinal bowel disorders you might want to consider making this a long-term diet. At first, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet can seem overwhelming. Reading labels, looking up ingredients, and changing your lifestyle is a big challenge. But once you form a habit and start feeling the results, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet can become second nature. Some legal foods on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet include: Most vegetables Homemade yogurt fermented at least 24 hours Organic and unprocessed fish, eggs, meat, and poultry Specific low sugar fruits Healthy fats Certain soaked/sprouted legumes Unsweetened and unprocessed drinks Cheddar cheese Spices, but avoid spice mixtures Illegal foods to avoid on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet: Complex sugars Grains and grain-based products Processed fish, meat, and poultry Most dairy products Potatoes, corn, canned vegetables Canned fruits (fruits canned in their own juice are allowed) Refined oils and fats Sweets and packaged snacks Food preservatives Sweetened drinks, beer, and juice Most beans and legumes You can download and print a full list of “illegal and legal” foods for easy access while following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Functional Medicine Doctors in the Kansas City Area The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a very restrictive diet no doubt, especially if you are used to the Standard American Diet. Consider thinking of SCD as starving off the harmful bacteria causing all of your unwanted digestive symptoms. Once you continuously restrict their fuel sources, these pathogenic microbiota populations usually have no choice but to leave. At Jellison Integrative MD, we can help guide you on your journey to digestive recovery. Dr. Jessica Jellison and Dr. Paul Reicherter understand how confusing and frustrating sticking to a new diet can be. But eradicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can make all the difference in your digestive health. If you’re in the Kansas City area and battling with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or inflammatory bowel disease, request an appointment today with Jellison Integrative MD or call (913) 568-0608. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3615657/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425030/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4726683/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5890963/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5484760/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14361377 https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/NFS-05-2015-0056 http://media.btvc.webfactional.com/media/editor_uploads/2013/11/btvc_legalillegal_list.pdf This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
Today more than 15 million Americans have food allergies. Almost half of these statistics include children under the age of 18 years old. This ever-growing prevalence of food allergies has increased by 50% since the 90’s. Identifying if your reaction to certain foods is a true allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity is important since food allergies can be life-threatening. Food intolerances and food sensitivities are less emergent, but they also provoke their own set of problems. Irritations to certain foods can promote intestinal inflammation which can cause gut dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut bacteria has been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune disorders, and even certain cancers. So whether you’re struggling with a food allergy, food intolerance, or food sensitivity, it’s important not to ignore your systemic or gastrointestinal reactions to the foods you eat. In this article, we will discuss the difference between a food allergy vs intolerance vs sensitivity. A No-Go Zone – Food Allergies Allergies are an indication of how unique every individual truly is. One person can eat all the peanuts in the world while another person can’t even touch the surface of leftover peanut residue without getting a reaction. This is because when proteins in certain foods enter the bloodstream, their immune system incorrectly tags this protein as an invader. Their immune system responds by releasing powerful “fighter” proteins called antibodies to seek out these “invader proteins” to attack. These antibodies, also known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), are released within minutes of a trigger food. These antibodies are what cause systemic food allergy reactions. The most common food allergies include: Cow’s Milk Eggs Peanuts Tree Nuts Fish Shellfish Soy Wheat Common food allergy symptoms include: Hives, itching, or eczema Tightening of the throat Tingling or itching in the mouth Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue Trouble breathing Nausea or vomiting Nasal congestion or trouble breathing Anaphylaxis It’s important to identify if you have a true food allergy because exposure to trigger foods can progress rapidly into a life-threatening situation such as anaphylaxis. Air on the Side of Caution – Food Sensitivities Food sensitivities start out in a similar way to food allergies. Your immune system attacks certain proteins in foods, but instead of the fighter protein IgE being released, immunoglobulin G (IgG) is released. These IgG antibodies don’t have such a vigorous response time as IgE antibodies. Food sensitivity reactions can take up to 72 hours after consumption of trigger foods. Due to this delayed reaction time, it’s harder to detect the offending food. Common food sensitivity foods include: Gluten Eggs Dairy Animal meat High FODMAP foods Soy Corn Shellfish Peanuts Food sensitivity symptoms may include: Migraines Fatigue Gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, gas, and heartburn Body aches Itchy skin, skin rashes, and eczema Congestion Sleep disorders Brain fog A common misconception among gluten sensitive individuals is that if you have a food sensitivity to gluten then you must have celiac disease. But that’s not necessarily true because you can have a food sensitivity to gluten and react with similar symptoms of celiac patients, but your blood and endoscopy tests return normal. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a less severe form of gluten sensitivity, but can also lead to chronic inflammation of the gut, neuroinflammation, and cognitive dysfunction . An unresolved low-grade inflammation in the body from the diet can be the precursor to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut, and autoimmune diseases. Uncomfortable Food Intolerances Food intolerance is different from food allergies and food sensitivities in that it’s a biological deficiency in your gut causing your reactions. Food intolerances don’t have an immunoglobulin antibody reaction. Instead, food intolerances have a digestive reaction, being unable to properly break down food. This can be due to enzyme deficiencies, reactions to naturally occurring chemicals in foods, or sensitivity to additives in food. For example, in lactose intolerant individuals, they’re missing the enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose. Therefore, this leaves lactose undigested in your intestines, leaving you with all those uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues. Like food sensitivities, food intolerances may also be hard to pinpoint the exact culprit because of their delayed reaction compared to food allergies. Foods most common with food intolerance responses include: Dairy Grains Gluten Beans Cabbage Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Food additives Chocolate Citrus fruit Food intolerance symptoms include: Diarrhea Nausea Abdominal pain Gas Bloating Nausea Heartburn Without eliminating the trigger food, food intolerances can lead to increased symptoms, diverticula, rectal disorders, bile acid malabsorption, and gut dysbiosis, and possibly certain infections . In addition to eliminating the trigger food(s), you can also supplement with digestive enzymes to assist your gut in the digestion of certain foods. Digestive enzymes such as lactase and peptidase can enable lactose and gluten to be broken down into nutrients so your body can readily absorb it. Functional Medicine Doctors in the Kansas City Area If you find you’re allergic to a particular food, then complete avoidance of your trigger food is necessary to prevent a real life-threatening situation such as anaphylaxis. Food allergies can subside over time, but never try to reintroduce a true food allergy unless you’re under the direct supervision of your doctor. An elimination diet is one of the most common ways to discover if you have a food sensitivity or food intolerance. Intolerances and sensitivities are usually not permanent. By avoiding the trigger food, you allow your gut to heal from inflammation and the negative responses may decrease. If you don’t let your gut properly heal from food intolerances or food sensitivities, you can eventually damage the lining of your small intestines. This can prevent you from absorbing the nutrients you need from your food. Food is something you eat every day, multiple times a day. Trying to pinpoint which food is causing your reactions when you can’t even remember what you had for breakfast yesterday can be frustrating. Gluten and dairy are the two most common intolerances and sensitivities we see in our patients. We suggest eliminating these two food groups to help give you a starting point in discovering what’s causing your reactions. If you’re in the Kansas City area and looking for guidance in your food allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity, request an appointment today with Dr. Jessica Jellison or Dr. Paul Reicherter or call (913) 568-0608 . References: https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/facts-and-statistics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440529/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24533607 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4579563/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27188621 This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
A tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi with more than 200,000 US cases per year Treatable by a medical professional Spreads by animals or insects Requires a medical diagnosis Lab tests or imaging often required Deer ticks can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Lyme disease causes a rash, often in a bull’s-eye pattern, and flu-like symptoms. Joint pain and weakness in the limbs also can occur. Most people with Lyme disease recover completely with appropriate antibiotic treatment. For those who develop syndromes after their infection is treated, pain medications may provide symptomatic relief. To accurately test for Lyme disease, we use a number of tests – more than one test is usually ordered as borreliosis is extremely good at hiding from view. Western blot test – Looks for antibodies directed against a range of Borrelia burgdorferi proteins. PCR test – Using this test we check for the bacteria DNA. We take multiple samples, as we can test blood, urine, spinal fluid and small tissue and therefore can test different sites of the body. Antigen detection – This test can be performed on urine. We check for toxins. CD-57 test – As Lyme disease can suppress the immune system, the results of this test can indicate if borreliosis is present. We also check for co-infections – another form of tick-borne disease co-existing with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Paul Reicherter.
There are over a hundred autoimmune diseases , but here are some of the most common: Type 1 diabetes Rheumatoid arthritis Multiple sclerosis Psoriasis Systemic lupus Inflammatory bowel disease Addison’s disease Graves disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Autoimmune Disease List A complete list of autoimmune diseases, you can also visit the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association website. Achalasia Addison’s disease Adult Still’s disease Agammaglobulinemia Alopecia areata Amyloidosis Ankylosing spondylitis Anti-GBM/Anti-TBM nephritis Antiphospholipid syndrome Autoimmune angioedema Autoimmune dysautonomia Autoimmune encephalomyelitis Autoimmune hepatitis Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) Autoimmune myocarditis Autoimmune oophoritis Autoimmune orchitis Autoimmune pancreatitis Autoimmune retinopathy Autoimmune urticaria Axonal & neuronal neuropathy (AMAN) Baló disease Behcet’s disease Benign mucosal pemphigoid Bullous pemphigoid Castleman disease (CD) Celiac disease Chagas disease Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS) or Eosinophilic Granulomatosis (EGPA) Cicatricial pemphigoid Cogan’s syndrome Cold agglutinin disease Congenital heart block Coxsackie myocarditis CREST syndrome Crohn’s disease Dermatitis herpetiformis Dermatomyositis Devic’s disease (neuromyelitis optica) Discoid lupus Dressler’s syndrome Endometriosis Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) Eosinophilic fasciitis Erythema nodosum Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia Evans syndrome Fibromyalgia Fibrosing alveolitis Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) Giant cell myocarditis Glomerulonephritis Goodpasture’s syndrome Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Graves’ disease Guillain-Barre syndrome Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Hemolytic anemia Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) Herpes gestationis or pemphigoid gestationis (PG) Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) (Acne Inversa) Hypogammalglobulinemia IgA Nephropathy IgG4-related sclerosing disease Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) Inclusion body myositis (IBM) Interstitial cystitis (IC) Juvenile arthritis Juvenile diabetes (Type 1 diabetes) Juvenile myositis (JM) Kawasaki disease Lambert-Eaton syndrome Leukocytoclastic vasculitis Lichen planus Lichen sclerosus Ligneous conjunctivitis Linear IgA disease (LAD) Lupus Lyme disease chronic Meniere’s disease Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) Mooren’s ulcer Mucha-Habermann disease Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) or MMNCB Multiple sclerosis Myasthenia gravis Myositis Narcolepsy Neonatal Lupus Neuromyelitis optica Neutropenia Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid Optic neuritis Palindromic rheumatism (PR) PANDAS Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) Parry Romberg syndrome Pars planitis (peripheral uveitis) Parsonage-Turner syndrome Pemphigus Peripheral neuropathy Perivenous encephalomyelitis Pernicious anemia (PA) POEMS syndrome Polyarteritis nodosa Polyglandular syndromes type I, II, III Polymyalgia rheumatica Polymyositis Postmyocardial infarction syndrome Postpericardiotomy syndrome Primary biliary cirrhosis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Progesterone dermatitis Psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) Pyoderma gangrenosum Raynaud’s phenomenon Reactive Arthritis Reflex sympathetic dystrophy Relapsing polychondritis Restless legs syndrome (RLS) Retroperitoneal fibrosis Rheumatic fever Rheumatoid arthritis Sarcoidosis Schmidt syndrome Scleritis Scleroderma Sjögren’s syndrome Sperm & testicular autoimmunity Stiff person syndrome (SPS) Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) Susac’s syndrome Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) Takayasu’s arteritis Temporal arteritis/Giant cell arteritis Thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) Transverse myelitis Type 1 diabetes Ulcerative colitis (UC) Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) Uveitis Vasculitis Vitiligo Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease This post was originally published on www.jjmd.com by Dr. Jessica Jellison.
