Your suspicions are right: food intolerances are most certainly on the rise. Obvious gut-related issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, GERD, heartburn, stomach pain, as well as gut-adjacent issues like acne, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, anxiety, and depression are some of the most common symptoms my patients experience. Food intolerances aren’t always the root cause of these symptoms, but I can guarantee that as we find out what is, an existing food intolerance is going to make these symptoms a whole lot worse.
A food intolerance or sensitivity is defined as having difficulty digesting certain foods. Over time, if we are consistently not digesting our foods properly, this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and gut damage that can then lead to chronic health issues like depression, pain, Diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, cancer and more. Food intolerances should be taken seriously and dealt with as soon as you figure it out!
One of the most common comments I get from patients is this:
I never used to have a problem with these foods, why do I have them now?
Good question! Here are a few primary issues behind the rise in food intolerances and sensitivities:
1. Soil degradation and depletion
Mass agriculture, deforestation and other types of human activity have contributed to major removal of key nutrients in our soil that are critical for our bodies to function properly. In the last 150 years, we’ve lost half of the basic building blocks that make soil productive and nutrient dense. This means that the fruits, vegetables, and grains grown today carry less protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C than those that were grown even just one decade ago. As a result, people today are more likely to be nutrient-deficient which can exacerbate or initiate a food intolerance/sensitivity.
2. The overuse of glyphosate and other herbicides.
Due to mass agriculture which produces food quickly and in large quantities, farmers are forced to use things like glyphosate and other herbicides; in large quantities, these can be toxic to our bodies. Glyphosate residue on food has been shown to cause intestinal dysbiosis (gut issues), as well as many other domino effects inside our bodies. Studies have even shown that glyphosate is likely the most causal factor in the increase in celiac and gluten intolerances worldwide.
3. A build-up of environmental toxins
In addition to heavy metals and harmful air pollutants, one of the most common environmental toxins I see in my practice is aspergillus mold which we ingest by simply breathing in air with mold spores in it. When these toxins build and grow in our gut, they inevitably wreak havoc on the good bacteria and microbes that keep our gut healthy. Overtime, they can compound into other health issues too (weight issues, fertility problems, depression, thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity). Treating and eradicating these toxins is critical to reclaiming and repairing the integrity of your gut.
4. Lack of appropriate enzymes
Our bodies have enzymes like Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) to help digest the foods we eat. The pancreas is responsible for secreting these enzymes to break down all of our macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates). However, with the rise in chronic health issues like Diabetes and insulin resistance, the pancreas can slowly lose steam and its ability to function over time.
5. Diets that are high in processed foods, but low in plant fibers
Convenience as a priority in itself is taking its toll on our bodies. More and more people are eating processed foods loaded with additives which are problematic for digestion. They’re also eating less and less of the good stuff, often due to the false perception that foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains take too long to prepare, or aren’t as easy to find on-the-go. But our guts need these good foods to function well; a diet high in processed foods can lead to degradation of the gut, and compound into even more complicated (and much less convenient) issues in the future.
Your body is constantly changing and responding to your daily input. “Input” means anything we consume: food, stress, sleep, water, air, relationships, alcohol, drugs/medications, supplements. The quality of these factors will compound over time, making us an expression of the things we ingest most often. When you continue to add to your toxic level, eventually, your body will let you know. This is why it may have seemed like you could handle mass amounts of alcohol, ice cream and stress with no sleep when you were younger but not as much when you got older.
But here’s the good news! A body that’s constantly changing and responding will also respond quickly to new habits, foods and lifestyles that are more fitting and complementary to your unique body. Each decision you make with regards to food, sleep, water, relationships, etc. can be a vote for optimal health if you want it. Over time, your body will clean itself out and start repairing, which will give you more energy, more “feel good” feelings, and more space to express yourself in positive ways too.
A Gentle Note:
As you are navigating your health and healing, please know that food intolerances are not necessarily life-long experiences, and certainly not death sentences. In many situations, as you clear your body of toxins and harmful chemicals, your equilibrium and internal harmony will return, and you’ll find that you are less reactive to certain foods again. This is a constant exploration and process of listening to your body as your environment and life experiences ebb and flow.
If you have questions about your own digestion or potential food intolerances, feel free to reach out to me anytime.
For further reading on this topic, check out the following:
Feel like starting some good gut support today? Check out the Gut Repair: 101 Beginners Supplement Plan, and access its practitioner-grade supplements here. And if you’re interested in specialized food sensitivity testing, contact me today!