When Good Food is Bad

Food is a beautiful thing. It not only satisfies our hunger, but also provides energy and the nutrients to help us grow and develop. Food can heal and bring families and friends together.

Most of us know there are some general no-no’s, foods we should limit or avoid to keep our bodies humming along optimally: fast food, fried foods, sugary drinks and so on. That’s the easy stuff. But can healthy foods – even so-called “superfoods” – be problematic? Can healthy food b e a devil in disguise for some people?

Take a look at this sample grocery list:

·       Tofu

·       Parmesan cheese

·       Eggplant

·       Sauerkraut

·       Canned fish

·       Mushrooms

·       Avocado

·       Sunflower seeds

·       Raspberries

·       Pears

·       Cashews

·       Vinegar

·       Greek yogurt

Wow, that all seems pretty healthy. Unless you are me.

I was frustrated. The healthier I ate, the worse I felt. I unknowingly was eating primarily foods high in histamine. Instead of taking a step forward, I was taking two steps back.

Then I discovered through my holistic doctor that I have a double-whammy, two positive genetic mutations causing a higher histamine sensitivity (thanks Mom and Dad). This genetic mutation causes me to produce less DAO enzyme, which is needed to breakdown histamine in food. That healthy diet described above could send me in a tailspin because that daily diet contains foods high in histamine.

 In addition, I was living in a new environment that also created a histamine response in me – an apartment building with an abundance of cats and dogs. The combo sent my body into overload and created a vicious vomiting cycle I wouldn’t wish on anyone. The vomiting would last for hours and hours, eventually landing me in the emergency room. In addition to the vomiting, hives would also appear on my torso. I would continue to have often weekly nausea and vomiting cycles until I discovered which foods I should avoid and also changed my living environment.

Each person is unique, and foods can react very differently from one person to the next.

“That’s why I practice precision medicine,” said Dr. Tanesha Wards, owner of Infinity Wellness in southwest Austin, and the doctor I saw who discovered my genetic mutation. She’s a graduate from Texas Chiropractic College and has completed certifications in Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, Activator Technique, Webster Technique and Applied Clinical Nutrition. Precision medicine is customized healthcare, tailoring the treatment plan to the individual.

My issue was presenting itself with gastrointestinal problems, but there was more. Hives, headaches, sinus congestion and insomnia. Left unchecked, a bad gut can lead to chronic inflammation, which can translate to depression, joint pain, cancer and more.

“About 80 percent of the patients walking into my office have tried everything else,” she said. “I like working with these difficult cases.”

What a person eats is often the first thing Wards addresses. The reason is simple. The gut is our second brain, with more neurochemicals than the brain. If you have unresolved symptoms, it may be eating at you, so to speak.

The gut is involved in so much more than simply digestion. While this concept is getting more attention nowadays, it’s not new. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician considered the father of medicine, is quoted as having said that “bad digestion is at the root of all evil.”  

“If the gut lining isn’t pristine, it can lead to depression, immunity issues and increased allergies – really sensitivities – and more,” she explained. About 75 percent of our immune system lives in our gut. Healing the gut can improve many of the chronic issues from which so many Americans suffer. Other examples include thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, slow metabolism, eczema, acne, hives, weight gain, food sensitivities diabetes, autism spectrum disorders and headaches.

Healing the gut while eliminating toxins is the basic formula, but what to eat and not eat is unique to the individual.

If you suffer from chronic issues (digestive issues, skin issues, joint pain, etc.), Wards has some words of advice.

1.       Keep a food journal. Include symptoms felt during the day as well as bowel movement descriptions. Not only will you perhaps see patterns, but the journal also provides useful information to your doctor.

2.       Don’t eat the same thing every day. Switch up your diet. Intolerances to foods can be built if you eat something too often. Besides, variety is good for nutritional balance

3.       Eat whole foods, avoiding processed foods and white sugar.

4.       Don’t eat foods containing genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).

If you are having inflammatory symptoms, omit gluten and dairy from your diet. Keep all symptoms and changes you feel in your journal. Start learning what foods and beverages are problematic, and which ones aren’t. When in doubt, seek out the help of a professional.

“Whenever you have a symptom, you need to listen to your body,” Wards said. “Any time the body speaks to us, we need to listen and don’t mask it. The body always amazes me.”