Food Sensitivity Testing & Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
Unexplained bloating, headaches, fatigue, or joint pain may be your body reacting to the foods you eat. Food sensitivities are common but often go unrecognized because symptoms can appear hours or even days after a meal. At LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition, our physicians use comprehensive testing and personalized nutrition to identify your trigger foods and help you build a diet that supports healing and long-term health.
Request an AppointmentFood Allergy vs. Food Sensitivity
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they describe different reactions. A food allergy is a specific immune response involving immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies or T-cells. Allergic reactions usually occur quickly and can be severe, causing hives, swelling, breathing difficulty, or anaphylaxis. A food sensitivity, or food intolerance, is a broader term for unpleasant reactions to food that do not follow the classic allergy pathway. Symptoms are often delayed by hours or days and may depend on how much of the food you eat, which makes sensitivities much harder to identify on your own.
Celiac disease is a special case: it is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten triggers an inflammatory attack on the lining of the small intestine. It requires specific testing and strict, lifelong management.
Common Symptoms of Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivity symptoms often develop gradually and can affect the whole body, not just digestion. Common symptoms include:
- Bloating, gas, and irregular digestion
- Abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation
- Acid reflux and GERD-like symptoms
- Headaches, dizziness, and brain fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle and joint pain
- Runny nose, sinus congestion, or excess mucus
- Skin flare-ups, mood swings, and low mood
Each person reacts differently, and many people live with these symptoms for years without realizing food is a factor.
What Causes Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities may result from the body reacting to natural chemical compounds in food, or to additives, preservatives, colorings, and flavorings. Common culprits include salicylates, amines, tartrazine, benzoic acid, nitrates, and sulfites. Deficiencies in digestive enzymes also play a role. Lactose intolerance, for example, occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase to digest milk sugar. Gut issues such as SIBO, dysbiosis, and increased intestinal permeability can make the digestive system more reactive to foods that were once well tolerated.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Food Sensitivities
At LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition, we use a detailed history, comprehensive food sensitivity testing, and, when appropriate, breath testing and stool analysis to identify which foods should be eliminated or limited. We also look for underlying gut problems that may be driving the sensitivity. If you only want help identifying food triggers, our limited consultation for food allergy and sensitivity may be a good fit.
Once your triggers are identified, our team creates customized nutrition recommendations and a structured elimination and reintroduction plan so you can expand your diet as your gut heals. Treatment may also include gut repair strategies, nutraceutical supplements, and inflammation control as part of our functional medicine approach.
Food Sensitivities FAQs
How do I know which foods I am sensitive to?
The most reliable way is a professional evaluation that combines your symptom history, targeted testing, and a structured elimination and reintroduction plan.
If I eat only organic food, can I still have food sensitivities?
Yes. Many compounds that cause sensitivities occur naturally in both organic and conventional foods, so eating organic does not prevent reactions.
Will I have to give up my favorite foods?
Not necessarily forever. Depending on your symptoms and test results, some foods may only need to be limited or temporarily removed while your gut heals, then carefully reintroduced.
Can I test for food sensitivities at home?
You can try a short elimination diet by removing suspected foods for several weeks and then reintroducing them one at a time. Professional guidance helps ensure your diet stays balanced and results are interpreted correctly.
Is celiac disease a food sensitivity?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. It requires specific blood testing and often an endoscopy for diagnosis, and it differs from non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Can food sensitivities cause fatigue and brain fog?
Yes. Many patients with food sensitivities report fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, which often improve once trigger foods are identified.
Can gut health problems cause new food sensitivities?
Yes. Conditions such as SIBO and dysbiosis can make the gut more reactive. Treating the underlying problem can improve tolerance over time.
Identify Your Food Triggers in Los Angeles, CA
Millions of people live with food sensitivities without knowing the cause. Call LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition at (310) 289-8000 to schedule an evaluation, or continue reading about low energy and fatigue.