The Microbiome and Food Sensitivities: A Complex Interaction
Food sensitivities, which differ from food allergies, can manifest as a range of digestive and non-digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, or skin rashes. Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system's immediate response to a food protein, food sensitivities tend to cause a delayed, often more subtle reaction. Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, food sensitivities are still not fully understood. However, recent research is shedding light on a potential player in this complex puzzle: the microbiome. The human microbiome, a collection of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes living in and on our bodies, has profound effects on many aspects of our health, including digestion, immunity, and metabolism. In recent years, scientists have begun to explore how the balance and diversity of the microbiome can influence food sensitivities. Given its central role in digestion and immune regulation, the microbiome may be a key ...