"It's a miracle!" Joan (all names changed) exclaims. She used to have hives every night—for months. Couldn't take enough Benadryl. Gained weight. Was always hungry. Tired. Depressed. Awoke several times a night. Had bad gas and diarrhea. Headaches. After treatment, all of this is better, she has lost weight again, and her hives are gone. She can't believe how much better she is doing, “both physically and emotionally.”

Three-year-old Annie was always sick with something, whether a cold, Strep throat, or an ear infection. She took one antibiotic after another. Her speech was delayed. She was emotional. Seemed to have attention deficit. Could still fit in her infancy clothes. Annie's mother Alissa brought her to the Wellness Center and appropriate testing and treatment were initiated. "It was life-changing,” Alissa commented. “I think it saved her." Less than 4 months later, Annie has gained 5 pounds, no longer gets sick, speech has improved, emotions are stable, and she is "a lot more focused."

Alissa and her husband were so amazed by the change that they wondered if their 9-year-old daughter Abbie might have a similar problem. Within short order, Abbie no longer has all the bloating, diarrhea, and gas she has had for years.

Not one to be left out, Alissa underwent treatment, too: "I saw a huge improvement in my health." Her stomach is no longer “on fire all the time.” Cramps, diarrhea, and the “awful” headaches she had for years are all gone. Shoulders and neck no longer feel as if in a vice grip. Life is good.

What do these cases have in common? Food sensitivities. Surprised?
Everyone is aware of people who eat shellfish at a restaurant and suddenly become short of breath or develop hives. Some people experience itching in their mouths when they eat certain fresh fruits. Many more have noses that run like faucets each Spring and/or Fall.

These are examples of IgE allergies. The reaction—whether itching, congestion, scratchy eyes, hives, shortness of breath, or even shock—occurs within minutes of exposure to the offending agent by skin contact, inhalation, or swallowing.

By contrast, IgG reactions are much more difficult to identify, for a few key reasons. First, the reaction is usually delayed by 1 to 72 hours. Second, IgG reactions mimic many other conditions. The list of possible reactions is quite long. Some of the common ones include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, heartburn, cravings, coughing, headaches, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, joint pains, muscle aches, undesired weight loss or gain, irregular heartbeat, even chest pain. Third, doctors are not trained to recognize and treat food sensitivities. For all of these reasons, a surprising number of the patients who are referred to us have suffered one or more perplexing symptoms for years.

Imagine you have an IgG antibody to spinach, causing a headache three days after each exposure. Suppose you eat spinach every day, trying to be healthy. You may never be without a headache! You might think it's from dehydration or not getting enough sleep. Chances are good you'll never figure it out.

In reviewing test results with patients, often we hear protests like "But I thought I was eating healthily!" Our response? "Yes, your diet is fabulous, but not for you, not right now." A carefully-tailored diet accompanied by a gut repair regimen can usually overcome most food sensitivities. However, when a patient tests positive for specific food sensitivities, the immune system is confused and targets otherwise healthy foods as if they were dangerous foreign invaders. A comprehensive restoration program can make all the difference, both in eliminating vexing symptoms and preventing long-term complications from untreated immune dysfunction. Patients also discover that they no longer need drugs to manage their symptoms.

If you or someone you love cannot seem to find relief from any number of physical nuisances, you might just consider food sensitivities. Ask your doctor's office if they perform comprehensive IgG testing and have training in treating these abnormalities. You may just be glad you did.

Changing lives for the better,
Ray Andrew, MD, and Grand County Wellness Center
www.moabfamilyhealth.com 435-259-4466