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Do you have a food intolerance or a leaky gut?

While writing The Leaky Gut Meal Plan: 4 Weeks to Detox and Improve Digestive Health, I had many coming-to-Jesus moments. Two in particular stand out:

1. Where was this book in 2004 shortly after my tonsils and adenoids were removed and the downward spiral really began?
2. I was never ‘allergic’ to 22 foods. It was an intolerance, and that intolerance was created from my leaky gut.

Today I’m addressing number two.

Food Intolerance or a Leaky Gut

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First, let me make this very clear.

If you have a true food allergy, healing a leaky gut might not make you tolerant to the food.

This is because the terms food allergy and food intolerance are oftentimes interchanged when the reality is that they are not the same thing.

For a refresh, check out igE vs igG HERE.

That said, on my very first blog I wrote this on April 11, 2009 —

My food allergy blood tests came back! The only thing I really can say is “WOW!” Here is my comprehensive list of foods I reacted to.

22 Foods

1. Casein
2. Egg White
3. Egg Yolk
4. Milk
5. Pork
6. Halibut
7. Mackerel
8. Shrimp
9. Blueberry
10. Grape
11. Barley
12. Lentil
13. Navy Bean
14. Soybean
15. Ginger
16. Malt
17. Almond
18. Pistachio
19. Sesame
20. Sunflower
21. Celery
22. Mustard

And I stated,

The worst reactions for me were egg whites, milk, pork and mustard.

So that we are clear again, even though I wrote (because I was told) food allergy, that’s not what it was. 

It was a food intolerance.

Nonetheless, I was intolerant to 22 foods.

Guess how many of those 22 foods I eat (with ease) today?

Every single one.

Chicken and Egg

Proponents of leaky gut syndrome still aren’t fully certain if other issues cause the gut to become leaky or if a leaky gut leads to other issues.

Here is what I do know, leaky gut syndrome can and will lead to a whole host of problems. 

What started out as something that might be manageable became anything but.

Like the snowball effect, but it’s awful when the analogy is on your health.

Food Intolerance Testing

This is why I do still see value in food intolerance testing like any of THESE.

They can give an indication and provide one aspect of your gut health. 

However, what I wish I had known back on April 11, 2019 is this:

• No, you’re not allergic to those 22 foods.
• Avoiding those 22 foods like the plague isn’t (necessarily) what you need.
• Your gut is leaky. You need to focus all your energy on that.

Today

As I already mentioned, today I eat all 22 foods with ease. I mean, except for mackerel. I’ve never had it. Who even eats mackerel anyways, and what is it? 

In fact, I eat every single food item and macronutrient on this planet.

Even gluten, via Sourdough bread.

And I do it all without the consequences that once kept me from seemingly everything.

I believe you can get here, too.

Three actionable steps you can take today:

1. Read: How Long Will It Take to Heal My Gut
2. And read: Tips for Starting Your Healing Journey
3. Join: 21-Day Quick Gut Detox

Xox,
SKH