Food Testing Clarity
What responses we look for, why we look for them, and where to go from here.
People often confuse the terms ‘food allergy’ with ‘food sensitivity or inflammation’ when in reality, there are considerable differences between the two. While all of our food sensitivity tests are performed with a blood sample, the difference lies in what is being measured in that sample.
Here are the differences:
When testing for a food allergy, we measure the response of a special marker related to histamine in your blood called Immunoglobulin E (also referred to as IgE). Much like smelling a flower and quickly sneezing, IgE’s response is relatively immediate and can lead to severe allergic reactions, such as hives or trouble breathing. These reactions typically do not change over time and should be avoided ongoingly. Roughly 10% of American adults have a food allergy.
Food sensitivity testing and food inflammation testing are essentially one and the same. Here is why: when testing food sensitivities, we measure the response of a different marker called Immunoglobulin G (IgG). This IgG response is related to the inflammatory cytokine reaction and is more delayed and subtle, meaning symptoms may show up anywhere from a few hours to several days after consumption. (So the headache you have today could be because of the food you had three days ago!)
The number of people with at least one food sensitivity is nearly 100% — every sensitivity test we have performed over the past 5+ years has come back positive for sensitivities. The good news, however, is that these inflammatory reactions can quiet down and often totally resolve over time.
Knowing that we’re all human and eat multiple times a day, it’s critical for every person to know for sure what foods are helping them stay healthy, and which foods are causing them harm. Click here to learn why our food tests offer the best results around.
If you’ve ever wondered which foods are right for you, our test will give you the answers you’re looking for! Call to schedule your food sensitivity test or a complimentary consult to learn more!