We need to be able to read the signs to find the right path toward health.

Part 1 – Reading the Signs

How ya feeling? Got a few aches and pains? Maybe an upset stomach?

If you’re like most people, especially those of us over 30, you’ve got a variety of minor health complaints – everything from stiff joints to headaches to constipation. Sound familiar?

And if you’re like most people, your solution to these problems is to run to the drug store or Amazon.com for some painkiller, an antacid, or the latest greatest herbal supplement. Right?

When we have discomfort in our body, our first instinct is to go buy something that promises to make it feel better. It’s the most natural reaction.

The problem is – these products usually only succeed in managing the discomfort; they don’t get to the root of the problem and eliminate the underlying cause.

“Intolerances”?!?! What in the world is an “intolerance”? No, it doesn’t have to do with race or religion - let us explain.

An “intolerance” means your body is reacting negatively to something you’re exposed to in your environment – especially when you’re repeatedly exposed. These repeated exposures can cause subtle physiologic imbalances that manifest in a variety of ways, from generalized conditions like inflammation or sluggishness to specific complaints like joint pain, sleeplessness, or nausea. We call these “pre-clinical conditions” where no definable disease is obvious, but minor dysfunction has led to discomfort and the feeling that something’s just not right.  

These discomforts interfere with our daily lives and our health and happiness. Left untreated, they can eventually worsen into actual diseases you’ll need a doctor’s help with!

So it’s critically important to become aware of these imbalances and address them before it’s too late.

What are the signs of an intolerance?

Intolerances manifest as a variety of discomforts - these are signals from your body that something just isn’t right. The signs may start out subtle but will eventually become stronger. These complaints mean your body is trying to get your attention!

Different parts of your body will “complain” in different ways. Here are just a few of the signals to be on the lookout for:

Gastrointestinal complaints, such as -

• Distaste for a particular food
• Low appetite
• A subtle gag reflex in response to food or a particular food
• Swollen tongue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nausea or even occasional vomiting
• Cramping, bloating, gas
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Mucus in stool

Skin problems, such as –

• Itchy skin or eyes
• Rashes
• Hives
• Dry, flakey, scaly, weepy, or blistered skin

Airway and breathing complaints, such as –

• Snotty or runny nose, especially right after eating or other exposure
• Slight coughing or irritation of the throat, especially right after eating or other exposure
• Itchy nose
• Lung congestion
• Sneezing, coughing, wheezing

Mental, emotional, and brain-related problems, such as -

• Depression or listlessness
• Anxiety
• Sluggishness or lack of energy
• Headache or migraine
• Dizziness
• Sleeplessness

Other signs of inflammation, such as –

• Aches and pains
• Back spasms
• Joint pain
• Swelling or edema of joints, feet, legs, or hands
• Muscle cramps
• Weak tendons or ligaments

All of these can be signs of an intolerance.

Backaches and back spasms may result from musculoskeletal injuries or a bad mattress – but they can also be a sign of an intolerance.

Please note – many of the above conditions can also be a sign of disease! If you have these health complaints, be sure to consult your doctor to make sure there isn’t a serious problem going on.

If your doctor doesn’t find any serious condition, that’s great news! It means some simple adjustments to your everyday life can improve your health.

Make sure you’re getting enough exercise and healthy food, and think about whether you need a new mattress or pillow so you don’t wake up with back or neck pain. But if you’ve got those bases covered and you’re still having minor health problems, they’re likely the sign of an intolerance.

Pretty much everyone alive on Planet Earth will have at least a few things they don’t tolerate. But what can be done about it?  Join us next time (Part 2) for the answer!

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This information was developed based on the knowledge and experience of our founder, Dr. Stephen Morrissey.

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GLOSSARY

Intolerance: Sensitivity to a food or other substance or an environmental condition, causing discomfort or dysfunction.