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Is the Food on Your Plate Secretly Fueling Your Pain and Inflammation?

Published August 30th, 2025 by Camarata Chiropractic

About a year ago, I discovered something that completely changed my health journey.

For years, I suffered with unexplained inflammation, pain, digestive issues, brain fog, and migraines. Test after test came back “normal,” yet I still knew something wasn’t right.

The Turning Point: Food Inflammation Testing

Everything shifted when I decided to take a Food Inflammation Test (FIT 176 with Gut Barrier Test) from KBMO Diagnostics.

The results were eye-opening:

Severe sensitivity to gluten
Inflammation triggered by beef
Markers of leaky gut syndrome

In other words, the very foods I thought were “normal” were actually fueling inflammation in my gut, brain, and body.

The Healing Transformation

Once I eliminated those food triggers and worked to restore gut health, everything started to change:

Chronic pain and inflammation decreased
Digestive issues improved
Brain fog lifted and energy returned
Migraines and old injuries became manageable — and in many cases, disappeared

This was proof that the body has an incredible ability to heal when we remove the barriers standing in its way.

The Science: How Food Sensitivities Trigger Inflammation

Unlike life-threatening food allergies, food sensitivities often create a slower, hidden immune response. When your body identifies certain foods as “foreign invaders,” your immune system produces antibodies that release inflammatory chemicals.

This can lead to chronic, low-grade inflammation that may not show up on standard blood work, but silently contributes to pain, fatigue, digestive dysfunction, and even neurological symptoms like brain fog or migraines.

Over time, constant exposure to trigger foods keeps your immune system in overdrive, which can break down tissues, delay healing, and worsen existing conditions.

The Gut Connection: Leaky Gut Syndrome

A major factor behind food-driven inflammation is intestinal permeability, often called leaky gut. When the lining of your intestines becomes damaged, tiny food particles and toxins can pass into the bloodstream.

Your immune system reacts aggressively to these particles, sparking inflammation throughout the body. This cycle doesn’t just affect digestion — it can impact joints, muscles, nerves, and even brain health. Research shows that leaky gut is linked to autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, and neurological dysfunction.

By repairing the gut lining and removing inflammatory foods, you allow the intestinal barrier to heal, reducing systemic inflammation and supporting whole-body recovery.

What This Means for You

The truth is, sometimes lasting relief isn’t about adding more medications or chasing symptoms. Instead, it starts by asking an important question:

“Could the food I’m eating every day be driving my health issues?”

At Camarata Chiropractic & Wellness, part of our mission is to help patients uncover the root causes of their symptoms. For many people, identifying food sensitivities and addressing gut health is the missing link in their healing journey.

The Bigger Picture

Your body is designed to heal. But it can only do so when we stop fueling it with the very foods that cause harm. When inflammation is reduced, the body can repair, restore, and thrive again.

Get a Hold of Us

Camarata Chiropractic & Wellness
3237 Union St, North Chili, NY 14514
Phone: 585-617-4145

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Frequently Asked Questions About Food Sensitivities and Inflammation

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?

A food allergy causes an immediate immune reaction, often within minutes of eating the food. Symptoms can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or even anaphylaxis. Food sensitivities, on the other hand, trigger a delayed immune response that may not appear for hours or even days. This delayed response leads to chronic, low-grade inflammation that can cause joint pain, digestive issues, headaches, fatigue, or brain fog.

Can food sensitivities really cause joint pain and chronic inflammation?

Yes. Research shows that when the immune system reacts to certain foods, it releases inflammatory chemicals that can circulate throughout the body. This systemic inflammation doesn’t just affect digestion — it can create or worsen pain in the joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Many people who struggle with arthritis-like pain or old injuries that never seem to heal often find relief once food sensitivities are addressed.

How does leaky gut syndrome make food sensitivities worse?

Leaky gut occurs when the intestinal lining becomes damaged and allows tiny food particles and toxins to enter the bloodstream. The immune system sees these particles as threats, triggering widespread inflammation. This creates a vicious cycle: inflammation worsens leaky gut, which in turn increases sensitivity to more foods. Healing the gut lining helps break this cycle.

Why don’t standard medical tests show food sensitivities?

Most traditional blood tests look for markers of disease or obvious allergies. Food sensitivities create delayed, low-level immune responses that often don’t show up on standard panels. Specialized tests, such as the KBMO Food Inflammation Test, measure specific antibodies and inflammatory markers that reveal hidden sensitivities contributing to chronic health issues.

What symptoms can food sensitivities cause besides digestive issues?

Food sensitivities often extend far beyond the gut. Common symptoms include:

Chronic joint or muscle pain
Migraines and frequent headaches
Fatigue and low energy
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Skin conditions like eczema or rashes
Anxiety, depression, or mood swings

Because these symptoms can mimic other conditions, food sensitivities are often overlooked as a root cause.

Can identifying food sensitivities really improve overall health?

Absolutely. By removing foods that trigger inflammation, patients often experience improvements in pain, digestion, mood, energy, sleep, and even long-term recovery from chronic conditions. Identifying sensitivities is often the missing link for people who have “tried everything” without lasting results.

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