Introduction

Do you feel constantly tired, foggy-headed, or bloated – even though you’re eating “healthy”? If so, hidden food intolerances could be silently derailing your wellbeing. For many women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, food sensitivities become more pronounced due to hormonal shifts, gut permeability, and stress.

What is a Food Intolerance? 

Unlike allergies, food intolerances don’t cause immediate, life-threatening reactions. Instead, they trigger delayed, low-grade inflammation—making them harder to detect. Common culprits include gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, and even “healthy” foods like oats or almonds.

Signs You Might Have an Intolerance:

• Persistent bloating or digestive distress
  
• Brain fog or poor concentration
  
•  Chronic fatigue or energy dips
  
• Mood swings or irritability
  
• Headaches or migraines
  
• Skin issues like eczema or hives
• Unexplained joint pain or stiffness
  
• Stubborn weight gain or plateau

Why They Develop: 

Over time, poor diet, antibiotics, stress, or infections can damage the gut lining—leading to increased permeability (“leaky gut”) and overreaction to certain foods.

What You Can Do:

1. Track Your Symptoms 

Keep a food and symptom journal. Note patterns—does that glass of wine or slice of toast trigger a flare-up?

2. Personalised Testing 

Work with an experienced practitioner to explore testing. These can identify unique intolerances and tailor a plan.

3. Temporary Elimination 

Remove suspected foods for 3–6 weeks, then reintroduce one at a time to monitor reactions.

4. Support Gut Repair 

Use nutrients like L-glutamine, zinc, and herbal antimicrobials. Naturopathy and homoeopathy can offer tailored remedies that gently rebalance.

5. Don’t Self-Diagnose Forever 

The goal isn’t long-term restriction, but identifying triggers, healing your gut, and reintroducing foods mindfully.

Intolerances don’t just affect digestion – they impact every system in your body. Understanding and addressing them with proper support could be the key to unlocking energy, clear skin, mental clarity, and hormone harmony.

9. Poor Sleep 

Gut imbalances can affect melatonin production and your natural circadian rhythm.

10. Weight Gain or Stubborn Weight Loss 

An imbalanced gut may alter how your body metabolises food and stores fat.

What Can You Do About It?

1. Start with Diet: Emphasise whole foods, fermented vegetables, and remove processed sugars. Try rotating your food to avoid intolerance build-up.

2. Test, Don’t Guess: Work with a practitioner to test for gut infections, leaky gut, or intolerances using stool or intolerance testing.

3. Natural Therapies: Herbal antimicrobials, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and L-glutamine can all support healing.

4. Stress & Sleep Hygiene: Meditation, yoga, and good sleep habits all help calm the gut–brain axis.

5. Homeopathy & Naturopathy: These approaches offer gentle support tailored to your unique pattern of imbalance—without harsh medications.

By tuning in to your body and making gut health a priority, you’ll not only resolve discomfort – you’ll enhance energy, mood, resilience, and radiance from the inside out.

https://asknutrition.jxwd.co.uk/food-intolerance-testing/