Superfoods are foods that are nutrient dense

- high in nutritional value
- excellent sources of antioxidants
- rich in essential nutrients

They are foods that are proclaimed to provide superior nourishment for your body.

For example

There are green superfoods like

- green leafy vegetables
- chlorella
- spirulina
- wheat grass
- barley grass

Fruit and nut superfoods include

- goji berries
- acai
- coconut
- noni
- raw cacao

There are also seaweed, bee product and herb superfoods.

There are so many to choose from. How do you know which ones are right for you? How do you know which ones match your nutritional needs?

If you choose the right ones for you, the benefits can be amazing. However, if you pick those that are not a good match for your needs, it could have a negative effect on your health.

Have you ever read about a superfood that was supposed to make you feel better, more energetic and do amazing things to improve your health? And then you tried it and found yourself disappointed by the results or lack of results?

In fact, you may find with some of these nutritionally power-packed foods, they actually cause you to have symptoms, to feel worse.

Just like any other food or nutritional supplement, not every superfood is going to be healthy for you. Because you are a unique individual with a one-of-a-kind biochemistry, the nutritional makeup of certain superfoods may not be a match for what your body needs.

So, how do you know?

There's only one way to know for sure - Get tested!

But is it really worth the expense to be tested to see which foods and superfoods your body is sensitive or intolerant to?

Let's take a look at what happens inside your body when you consume anything you're sensitive or intolerant to.

A food sensitivity is caused because your body does not have the proper enzymes to break down and digest certain food items. This can occur even if you're taking digestive enzymes. These larger particles are passed into your bloodstream as partially digested food. But your immune system does not recognize them as food. Instead it treats them as foreign invaders, like bacteria and viruses, and attacks them causing an inflammatory response.

Over time this immune system attack causes symptoms. They can be almost any adverse effects on your health. Common effects of food sensitivities include:

- migraine headaches
- digestive disturbances
- IBS
- inability to lose weight and keep it off
- chronic fatigue
- depression
- eczema
- sinus problems
- asthma
- hay fever
- autism
- arthritis
- bedwetting
- panic attacks
- and more

For a more in depth explanation of how food sensitivities affect your body and your health, read Your "Hidden Food Allergies are Making You Fat." This book is not just about your weight. It's about food sensitivity in general and how it may damage your health if you continue to eat foods you're intolerant to.

Is your health less than optimal? Do you have nagging health issues that just won't go away? If so, you may have food and chemical sensitivities.

Note: This is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have health problems, consult your physician.

Author's Bio: 

(c) 2012, Christine H. Farlow, D.C., customizing nutritional programs to meet your unique nutritional needs. Dr. Farlow provides nutritional consultations in her office and by phone. Request a FREE Consultation to learn more about food sensitivities and how you can improve your health by identifying and eliminating foods and chemicals to which you are sensitive at http://christinehfarlowdc.com/.