Allergy & Intolerance Testing

What is an Allergy and food sensitivity test?

Food sensitivity tests typically check how your immune system responds to different types of food. Diet is always a key component for optimal health. Eating the recommended daily servings of the necessary food groups, it is important to know which foods react with your immune system and avoiding these is often the best option. A food allergy or sensitivity can be found in anyone, from babies to adults and it is crucial to understand the differences.

A Food Sensitivity is activated by the Antibody Immunoglobin G (IgG). An Allergic Reaction however is activated by the Antibody Immunoglobin E (IgE) Food sensitivity tests help you discover the foods triggering adverse symptoms, such as gas, bloating and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Food Allergy involves an abnormal immune reaction to a non-pathogenic substance. The body reacts as if it were fighting a disease- producing microorganism, which can cause symptoms ranging from discomfort to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis, and can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, hives, swelling of the lips and face, shortness of breath, dizziness, low blood pressure, anxiety, and heart failure.

Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to food that is likely to originate in the gastrointestinal tract and does not involve the immune system. Included in this group is lactose intolerance and non-celiac gluten intolerance along with a broad range of other sensitivities. Symptoms are not life threatening, and are typically limited to digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Symptoms can appear soon after eating or could take up to two days.