Do people with Down’s Syndrome have more food sensitivities than others?

Yes.

Along with the breadth of other signs and symptoms that Down’s Syndrome people live with, such as short stature, low mental faculty, facial features, and soft tissue features, people with Down’s syndrome also have a higher incidence of Celiac disease and other food sensitivities.

Celiac Disease (gluten sensitivities) and other food sensitivities will cause inflammation and leakage of the gut.  Because the gut gets inflammed, proper nutrients don’t get absorbed into the cell that line the small intestine.  Because the gut also becomes leaky, food particles that don’t get broken down entirely are allowed to pass through to the blood stream.  When food particles are absorbed into the blood stream without being broken down into their most basic forms, the body reacts severely to it with an inflammatory reaction.  This autoimmune reaction can lead to autoimmune disorders, eventually.

Testing for Celiac disease is widely available.  But, what if you are sensitive to other foods or food materials?  This is where ALCAT testing in our office can help.  The ALCAT test analyzes the blood against over 300 materals, depending on the test you choose.  This test can provide a starting block to alter the diet of a Down’s syndrome person, and to make their body’s own gastrointestinal physiology work much more efficiently.

If you think ALCAT testing for food sensitivities is right for you, give me a call on my personal line: (707) 337-0606. I will talk to you briefly to see if further consultation is needed.  Then, we will schedule another consultation where we will meet face-to-face, discuss your health history, and arrange for the ALCAT test, or other tests as needed.  This second, face-to-face consultation is $99.00.

Dr. Todd Lloyd