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In this episode of Healthy California, we break down the often misunderstood world of food allergies and food sensitivities—what they are, how they differ, and why understanding them is crucial to your long-term health.

Many of us (or someone we love) suffer from mysterious symptoms like fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, or skin flare-ups with no clear cause. Could it be what you’re eating?

🔍 What you'll learn:

• The key differences between food allergies (IgE response) and sensitivities (IgG/IgM responses)
• Common triggers: gluten, dairy (casein), eggs, peanuts, soy, and more
• How delayed food sensitivities contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions
• Why U.S. wheat and gluten are so problematic—and what makes European wheat different
• The science behind “leaky gut” and how it affects not just digestion but also mental health
• Steps to start healing: elimination diets, food sensitivity testing, and how to reintroduce foods safely
• Why 85% of your serotonin is made in the gut—and how that impacts your mood

🌱 Linda’s advice:
Health is more than just what you eat—it's physical, emotional, environmental, and spiritual. Healing your gut could be a major step toward healing your whole life.

📞 Need Support?
Linda offers 15-minute consultations to help you get started. Find contact details below.

🛠 Recommended next steps:

• Consider working with me, a functional nutritionist, functional medicine doctor, or physical therapist
• Get a food sensitivity test or begin a guided elimination diet
• Revisit past episodes for more on inflammation and autoimmune health

📢 Support the show!
If you find this episode helpful, please:

• Subscribe & follow on your favorite podcast platform
• Share with friends and family
• Leave a review to help others discover Healthy California
• Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode

💬 “This is a journey, not a quick fix. Be kind to yourself—and stay healthy, California!” —Linda Brown

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com

Send us a text

In today's episode, we're diving deep into chronic pain—what it is, how it affects your body and mind, and why it’s not just about pain that lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain often involves a complex interaction of physical symptoms, emotional responses, and systemic inflammation that can impact your entire life.

🔍 This Episode Covers:

• What is chronic pain?
  Pain is a natural signal from the body warning us that something's wrong. But chronic pain goes beyond that—it lingers, spreads, and often becomes part of a larger syndrome involving sleep disturbances, stress, and other physical limitations.
• The mind-body connection:
  Chronic pain often involves emotional triggers. We'll explore how your brain processes pain through the hypothalamus and how past trauma or anxiety can amplify pain responses, even when no injury is present.
• Pain perception and healing:
  Everyone experiences pain differently. Whether you're more fearful of pain or tend to push through it, your mindset influences your recovery. We discuss how being aware of your pain response style can help you or your healthcare provider create a better healing plan.
• Chronic inflammation and systemic pain:
  Multiple “-itis” diagnoses (like arthritis, tendinitis, or even otitis) may point to chronic inflammation. Chronic pain can spread and evolve if not addressed systemically, not just with ice or medication.
• Healing from the inside out:
  True healing starts with understanding the root cause of chronic pain—this includes lifestyle, diet, and emotional wellness. We touch on:
  • The role of anti-inflammatory foods and how your refrigerator can become your medicine cabinet.
  • The importance of quality sleep and reducing systemic stress.
  • Why chronic use of pain medications is not a long-term solution.
• Respecting every pain experience:
  Chronic pain isn't always visible. We share real stories from physical therapy—why two people with very different pain levels and behaviors should both be taken seriously. Pain is personal, and there's no one-size-fits-all scale.
• A message of hope:
  We close with a reflection from Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Whether you're spiritual or not, there is healing in staying hopeful, being persistent, and finding support—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

💡 Final takeaway:
If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain, know that you are not alone. Understanding how pain works—from inflammation to emotions—is a critical first step. Healing is possible, but it takes an inside-out approach.

🎧 Listen now and discover:

• How to recognize the signs of chronic pain
• Why inflammation plays suc

Join me for the Spring Cleaning Liver Detox. Go to https://l.bttr.to/dEe78 to sign up or go to www.heal-throughfood.com for more information

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com

Send us a text

📌 Episode Summary:

Welcome to the Healthy California Podcast, where we explore practical, holistic approaches to well-being. I'm your host, Linda Brown, and my goal is to educate and empower you to make better daily choices for a healthier life—because you, your family, your neighbors, and your entire community deserve to live well.

In today’s episode, we dive into a topic that affects nearly everyone: stress.

We’ll explore:

• What stress really is
• Why it’s not always the enemy
• How it impacts your body—from digestion to hormones to reproduction
• The difference between helpful and harmful stress
• And most importantly, what you can do about it

Whether you're juggling too many responsibilities, struggling with sleep, digestion, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand the physiological effects of stress and how to bring your body back into a “rest and digest” state.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Stress is not just emotional—it's a biological response that can either help you grow or break you down, depending on duration and intensity.
• Chronic stress impacts every system in your body, from your gut and immune system to your reproductive health and mental well-being.
• Recognizing perceived stress (especially from past trauma) is just as important as identifying physical stress.
• Practical strategies for managing stress include breathing techniques, adaptogenic herbs (with professional guidance), exercise, nutrition, counseling, journaling, and even something as simple as taking a bubble bath.
• Delegating, eliminating, and prioritizing are key tools in reclaiming your time and reducing daily overwhelm.

📝 Homework Assignment:

• Look at your calendar and identify what you can delegate or eliminate.
• Reclaim some of your time.
• Take at least one step to reduce stress this week—whether it’s a walk, a relaxing bath, or turning off your phone for an hour.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Breathing technique: 4x4 Box Breathing
• Adaptogens: Ashwagandha, Passionflower (seek personalized guidance)
• Functional testing for adrenal health
• Blue Zones and community well-being
• Nutritional recommendations: omega-3s, B vitamins, colorful fruits/vegetables

📞 Connect With Linda:

Have questions or need personalized help managing your stress?
🗓️ Schedule a free 15-minute consultation — details in the show notes below.
📱 Follow me on social media and turn on notifications to never miss an episode!

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com