Why Am I Sensitive to Everything?
by Nicqui Grant, RD(SA), IFNCP
Is Your DNA Making You Sensitive? How Genes Impact Food, Stress, and More
If you find yourself unusually sensitive to foods, smells, medications, stress, or even emotions, your genes might be amplifying those reactions. Variants in the COMT gene, which affect how quickly your body clears stress hormones like dopamine and adrenaline, can heighten both emotional and physical sensitivity making you more reactive to things others might barely notice. Variants in MTHFR can also impact how your body processes folate, and detoxify harmful substances, increasing sensitivity to chemicals, medications, and certain foods. Meanwhile, differences in HLA genes, which regulate immune responses, may be linked to food intolerances or autoimmune-related sensitivities. If you’ve felt like your body overreacts to just about everything, your DNA could be a big part of why.
Food intolerance often has a genetic basis. For example, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are strongly connected to specific HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 gene variants, which influence how your immune system reacts to gluten. Histamine overload, another common issue, may be tied to variants in the DAO gene, which governs the breakdown of histamine in the gut. If certain foods like wine, aged cheese, or fermented products have always unsettled you, your genetics might offer important clues.
Your reactions to caffeine and salt may also be rooted in genetics. The CYP1A2 gene controls how fast your liver metabolizes caffeine, and those with the slow metabolizer variant experience caffeine’s effects more intensely and for longer, leading to jitters, anxiety, or insomnia even after a small dose. Sensitivity to salt, on the other hand, is influenced by genes like ACE and AGT, which regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. Certain variants in these genes can make your body retain water or spike blood pressure in response to salty foods, causing swelling or discomfort.
Histamine overload is a perfect example of how genetics impact sensitivity. Variants in the DAO gene can reduce the activity of the enzyme that breaks down histamine in your gut, causing buildup and symptoms like headaches, flushing, hives, digestive upset, or anxiety after eating histamine-rich foods. Similarly, HNMT, is responsible for breaking down histamine in other tissues, including the brain, and variants here can further increase sensitivity.
If your body reacts strongly to certain foods, stress, or environmental triggers, knowing your genetics may provide helpful insights that could explain why and understanding these genetic influences can empower you to manage your sensitivities better.