By Michael J. Critelli | MakeUsWell Newsletter,
In 2019 and 2020, I gained a life-changing insight into health. In July 2019, a holistic medicine doctor recommended that I reduce sugar and simple carbohydrate consumption because my hemoglobin A1c had spiked above the high end of the acceptable range. He punctuated his advice with cautionary notes about diabetes and macular degeneration.
I followed his advice and brought this metric back down.
But something else unexpected happened. My spring allergy symptoms had plagued me since age six, forcing me to take antihistamines and decongestants and even to undergo surgery at age 38 to remove chronically enlarged nasal passage obstructions. Once I reduced sugar and carbs, those symptoms largely disappeared or became easily controllable. I had never imagined a connection between food intake and seasonal allergies.
Modern medicine often treats symptoms with pharmaceuticals without asking whether food sensitivities are the underlying cause. Physicians are not indifferent, but the links between diet and health are often subtle, delayed, and disguised as other conditions.
Unlike classic food allergies, which provoke immediate, dramatic reactions, sensitivities may show up hours or days later, often in systems far removed from the digestive tract. Like me, patients are prescribed medications when the more effective solution lies in dietary change.
Inflammation Masquerading as Musculoskeletal Pain
Another striking example is the relationship between sugar, refined carbohydrates, and pain. When we consume large quantities of sugar or processed starches, blood glucose spikes, followed by a surge of insulin. Over time, this cycle drives systemic inflammatory pain.
Many feel it most acutely in the joints and connective tissue. Arthritic pain worsens, tendonitis flares more easily, and back pain grows sharper. These changes are often attributed to aging or overuse, but diet may be the hidden culprit. Instead of stronger painkillers, some could find relief by reducing sweets, white bread, or soft drink consumption.
Food and “Allergies”
As happened in my case, another overlooked connection is in the respiratory system. Many people with nasal congestion, sinus infections, or seasonal allergies assume pollen or dust is to blame. Yet food can play a powerful role. High sugar intake thickens mucus, fueling congestion. Dairy, while nutritious, can worsen nasal stuffiness in sensitive individuals. Alcohol, especially wine and beer, contains histamines and sulfites that intensify allergy symptoms. Instead of repeated antibiotics, antihistamines, or decongestants, dietary changes may deliver long-term relief.
Neurological and Psychiatric Manifestations
Food sensitivities also present as neurological or psychiatric problems, making the link even harder to recognize. Gluten intolerance, for example, is not confined to the gut. In non-celiac gluten sensitivity, proteins in wheat can trigger immune reactions that can cause migraines, brain fog, or chronic fatigue.
Artificial food colorings and preservatives have been linked in some children to hyperactivity and poor concentration. Adults may not see an immediate cause-and-effect pattern, but over time their mood, sleep, and energy are quietly shaped by diet. Instead of escalating prescriptions for antidepressants, migraine drugs, or stimulants, examining diet might yield answers.
Skin Conditions with Dietary Roots
Dermatology offers another example. Acne is often treated with creams, antibiotics, or hormone-regulating drugs, but diets high in refined sugar and dairy can make breakouts worse. These foods stimulate insulin and insulin-like growth factors that drive oil production. Likewise, chronic hives or eczema flare-ups are sometimes tied to histamine-rich foods such as aged cheeses, cured meats, or alcoholic drinks. Patients may rotate through steroid creams and immunosuppressants without realizing the problem starts on their plate.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Surprises
Even the cardiovascular system can be affected. Some people experience unexplained spikes in blood pressure, palpitations, or fluid retention that defy medication. Salt is a well-known factor, but other less obvious triggers exist. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many packaged foods, can cause headaches and blood pressure fluctuations in sensitive individuals. Gluten and dairy may drive low-grade inflammation that worsens vascular health. Instead of steadily increasing medication dosages, a careful dietary review might uncover a solvable cause.
Why the Links Are Missed
These connections are easily overlooked because:
Delayed onset: Symptoms may appear many hours later.
Cumulative effect: Small exposures build up over time.
Overlap with aging or chronic illness: Aches or fatigue are attributed elsewhere.
Diagnostic gaps: Sensitivities rarely appear on standard allergy tests.
A Paradigm Shift in Medicine
The challenge—and opportunity—is to rethink how we approach chronic symptoms. Rather than reflexively prescribing pharmaceuticals, healthcare providers could start with a dietary history and, where appropriate, elimination diets or food journals. Patients can help by noticing patterns: when symptoms spike, what foods preceded them, and how they feel after sustained dietary changes. If their healthcare providers are not inquiring about dietary history, they should proactively provide this information and get their provider to consider non-obvious dietary links.
This is not to deny the therapeutic role of pharmaceuticals. But in many cases, they are managing symptoms that could be reduced or eliminated if hidden food triggers were identified. If sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol, or additives drive headaches, arthritis, skin flare-ups, or chronic congestion, then the solution may not lie in the pharmacy—but at the dinner table.