Functional Medicine for Food Sensitivities & Allergies in Arvada and Longmont, Colorado

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Identify Hidden Triggers and Restore Digestive and Immune Health

Do you experience:

  • Bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort

  • Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel patterns

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Fatigue or brain fog

  • Skin issues, rashes, or eczema

  • Joint pain or inflammation

  • Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability

If these symptoms are familiar, you may be dealing with food sensitivities or allergies. Even subtle reactions to foods can cause chronic inflammation, digestive distress, and overall fatigue, often without obvious immediate symptoms.

At Alternative Family Medicine & Chiropractic, we use a Functional Medicine approach to uncover hidden food triggers and create individualized strategies to restore gut health, immune balance, and overall wellness.

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Understanding Food Sensitivities vs. Food Allergies

It’s important to differentiate between food allergies and food sensitivities:

  • Food allergies involve an immediate immune response, often mediated by IgE antibodies. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis, and reactions typically occur within minutes to hours.

  • Food sensitivities (or intolerances) often trigger delayed immune responses, mediated by IgG antibodies or other pathways. Symptoms can appear hours or days after eating, making them harder to identify.

Functional Medicine focuses heavily on sensitivities, as these delayed reactions are common contributors to:

  • Digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea)

  • Skin problems (eczema, rashes, acne)

  • Mood disturbances (brain fog, irritability, anxiety)

  • Chronic inflammation and autoimmune triggers

Identifying and addressing these reactions can have dramatic effects on energy, digestion, and overall well-being.

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How Food Sensitivities Affect Your Body

When the immune system reacts to certain foods, it can trigger systemic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can impact multiple systems:

  • Digestive system: bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, leaky gut

  • Nervous system: brain fog, fatigue, poor concentration, mood swings

  • Musculoskeletal system: joint pain, stiffness

  • Immune system: increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune flares

  • Skin: acne, rashes, eczema

Even foods considered “healthy” for most people—like gluten, dairy, or eggs—can be problematic if your body reacts to them. Functional Medicine looks beyond standard allergy testing to identify these hidden sensitivities.

Functional Medicine Testing for Food Sensitivities

Determining the foods that contribute to your symptoms is key. Functional Medicine utilizes advanced testing methods alongside careful clinical evaluation:

  • Food Sensitivity Panels

    Measure immune reactions to a wide range of foods (e.g., Cyrex Labs and Precision Point Diagnostics DIY arrays)

  • Elimination Diets

    Structured removal and reintroduction of foods to pinpoint triggers

  • Digestive and Inflammatory Markers

    Labs that identify intestinal permeability, inflammation, or dysbiosis

  • GI Map

    Stool and microbiome analyses for pathogens, SIBO, and gut flora imbalances (e.g. MycoTOX Profile)

Functional Medicine Approach to Food Sensitivities

Our approach focuses on finding the triggers, supporting the body, and restoring balance. Typical steps include:

  • Through testing or guided elimination, we pinpoint foods causing inflammation, digestive stress, or immune reactions. Common triggers include:

    • Gluten

    • Dairy

    • Eggs

    • Soy

    • Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes)

    • Certain grains or legumes

    Even foods considered “healthy” for most people can contribute to chronic symptoms if your body reacts to them.

  • Addressing the gut is essential because a healthy intestinal lining prevents sensitivity reactions from triggering widespread inflammation. Protocols often include:

    • Probiotics and prebiotics to restore healthy gut flora

    • Nutrients to support intestinal lining repair, like L-glutamine and zinc

    • Reduction of inflammation with natural anti-inflammatory supplements

  • Once trigger foods are identified, we create a personalized dietary plan to support healing and reduce systemic inflammation:

    • Removal of offending foods during a healing phase

    • Anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense meals

    • Gradual reintroduction under guidance to monitor tolerance

  • Lifestyle factors significantly influence food sensitivities:

    • Chronic stress can increase intestinal permeability and worsen reactions

    • Poor sleep or irregular schedules can amplify inflammation

    • Mind-body practices, exercise, and sleep optimization support gut and immune function

  • Therapeutic-grade supplements support healing and immune regulation:

    • Antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress

    • Enzymes and probiotics to improve digestion

    • Adaptogens and herbal support for stress resilience

    By combining dietary, lifestyle, and supplement strategies, patients often see improvements in digestion, energy, mood, and overall health.

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The Importance of a Functional Medicine Approach

Unlike conventional approaches, which often recommend avoiding certain foods without explanation or relying on medications, Functional Medicine seeks to identify root causes:

  • Why your body reacts to certain foods

  • How gut health, immune function, and metabolic health are connected

  • How to restore balance sustainably rather than just managing symptoms

This approach not only improves digestive health, but also reduces systemic inflammation, supports mental clarity, and restores energy and vitality.

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When to Seek Functional Medicine for Food Sensitivities & Allergies

Consider evaluation if you experience:

  • Chronic bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea

  • Fatigue or “brain fog” that fluctuates with meals

  • Skin issues or rashes that seem diet-related

  • Joint pain or unexplained inflammation

  • Recurrent headaches or migraines

Food sensitivities often mask themselves as other chronic conditions, making early identification crucial to long-term wellness.

Schedule a Consultation for Food Sensitivities & Allergies‍ ‍

At Alternative Family Medicine & Chiropractic, we specialize in identifying hidden food sensitivities and addressing the underlying factors that may be impacting your digestion, energy, inflammation, and overall health. Using advanced testing, personalized nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, therapeutic-grade supplements, and targeted herbal support, we create customized Functional Medicine plans designed to restore gut health, support immune function, and promote long-term wellness. Schedule a consultation today to uncover potential food triggers and take the first step toward feeling your best.

Book Today