Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

Should You Take a Food Sensitivity Test?

Sporty & Rich Wellness - Should You Take a Food Sensitivity Test?

 

By: @drmelissa_co

 

IgG Food sensitivity testing is one of the tests I receive the most questions about in my practice, and yet it is one of the tests I order the least. Below are the ins and outs of food sensitivity testing, also known as an FST. 

 

Each one of us is genetically unique and will have different genetic predispositions for how we digest foods. Furthermore, our diets during childhood and adulthood, lifestyle habits, environmental exposures, medication use, and other factors will play into how well our gastrointestinal tract functions, digests foods, absorbs nutrients and eliminates wastes. When we experience symptoms — whether they are digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements, reflux, skin issues, weight changes, depression or irritability, headaches, hormone imbalances, asthma, and other chronic diseases — it is important to note that they may be in part a reflection of consuming foods that are not suitable to our unique bodies and lifestyles. So the question is, can food sensitivity testing tell us more about which foods work for us and which do not?

 

IgG food sensitivity testing is done via blood draw and the blood sample is then exposed to various foods or substances and measured for the total immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to a trigger, like a food, a bacteria or virus. The human immune system produces a variety of different immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE, IgM, etc.) in response to different types of triggers. IgE antibodies for example are released in an allergic response. If you are allergic to peanuts, for example, your immune system will produce IgE when you have a peanut exposure. IgG antibodies on the other hand, are released in scenarios unrelated to allergy. Note also that IgG antibodies are unrelated to conditions like lactose intolerance or celiac disease. 

 

When IgG antibodies are produced after the blood is exposed to a certain ingredient, it is showing that the immune system is mounting a reaction. This reaction provides us with a snapshot of a person’s immunological response, but a rise in IgG does not necessarily mean the person is sensitive to the food being tested. 

 

At this time, immunologists and allergists do not seem to have a definitive answer as to whether or not high IgG in response to a certain food means there is food sensitivity or that the food in question is causing symptoms in the person being tested. It has been suggested that a subtype of IgG called IgG4 actually suggests tolerance to a food. In other words, food sensitivity testing does not provide a definitive answer as to whether or not a food is right for you. 

 

While the accuracy and usefulness of the information provided by an FST is one challenge, the other is cost. Regardless of the lab used, these tests tend to require a steep financial investment. They may also be costly in terms of potentially harming a patient’s relationship to food; a patient may end up avoiding many foods unnecessarily or for too long.  

 

Clinically speaking, if a patient has already done the test or we have excluded all other diagnoses and are considering an FST, it is important to do this under the supervision of a skilled and licensed provider. As mentioned, this test provides a snapshot of a person’s immunological response and can provide us with information beyond what foods are provoking an IgG response. For example, if a patient reacts to few or zero foods or reacts to a large number of foods, clinically this can tell us more about health in other ways and may guide treatment. 

 

Typically in my practice, I prefer to use modified elimination diets where we remove potentially offending foods, like high FODMAP foods or foods that have shown a connection in the research with the patient’s symptomology. I also integrate the wisdom of ancient healing traditions like Traditional Chinese nutritional medicine, and adjust a patient’s diet accordingly. For example, if a patient presents with acne, it is likely that we will eliminate dairy from the diet for 3 to 6 months while making other dietary modifications and introducing other naturopathic therapeutics like nutritional supplements, acupuncture, or herbal medicines. Gut healing is typically a primary target of most treatments, regardless of symptoms as a healthy gut can tolerate a wider variety of foods. After this period, we will do a slow reintroduction of the foods eliminated in order to gauge how the patient’s system responds. From here, we can create a maintenance plan. 

 

As always, speak to your licensed medical provider before opting into any form of testing. Ask about pros and cons, the accuracy of the tests you are considering, how the results will impact your treatment plan, and if any other tests may be relevant to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. If you decide to do an FST or an elimination diet, also do so under the supervision of a doctor or licensed provider to ensure your diet is nutritionally sound, and you do not create nutritional deficiencies or cause harm.  

 

References: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314037/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18489614/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15692464/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29778512/ 

Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

Sporty & Rich Wellness

Adverse Reactions to Food: Allergies versus Intolerances

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition Many food-related symptoms are mistaken for "allergies" when in fact they may be food intolerances. Food allergy and food intolerance are two distinct reactions with unique characteristics in terms of their underlying mechanisms. Accurately distinguishing between the two conditions is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately for improving the wellbeing of those affected.

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness

5 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @coreflexpilates Many of us know about the physical benefits of exercise, but what about the psychological benefits of exercise? Exercise can help ease anxiety and depression, improve your sleep and keep your memory in check. Here are five benefits your mental health will get from regular exercise. Better Sleep - E

Read more
Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co A woman’s period is a vital sign. Just like your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breath rate, a woman’s cycle is indicative of her health overall. An imbalanced period indicates suboptimal health.  The menstrual cycle is incredibly complex and requires a constellation of factors to align for it to occur at regular intervals. Factors that can delay a period or...

Read more
Micro-Needling with PRP for Facial Aging

Micro-Needling with PRP for Facial Aging

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co Facial treatments that slow and treat the signs of ageing have become increasingly popular as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, more invasive methods like injectables and surgery. Micro-needling is one I am frequently asked about, as it can benefit the skin’s appearance, soften fine lines and improve overall texture and plumpness — but

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - A New Way to Navigate Break-Ups

A New Way to Navigate Break-Ups

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy As a society we have historically romanticized long-term relationships and marriages even if they are totally unhealthy. All of us have likely applauded the model grandparents who stuck it out in their marriage for fifty-plus years, without thinking to inquire about how they both truly experienced the relationship throughout that time. When it...

Read more
Sulforaphane: The Powerful Nutrient in Broccoli Sprouts

Sulforaphane: The Powerful Nutrient in Broccoli Sprouts

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @emma.walsh Broccoli sprouts might be small, but you likely know that this tiny green superfood is packed with health benefits. This is thanks to the high concentration of an antioxidant called sulforaphane. It’s a sulfur-rich phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, but is most potent in broccoli sprouts. You might not have heard...

Read more
People Pleasing: What Causes It and Strategies To Stop

People Pleasing: What Causes It And Strategies To Stop

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy Do you often confuse ‘being nice’ with doing things out of fear of being disliked or rejected by others? In my therapy practice I commonly work with individuals who struggle with people pleasing tendencies. People pleasing is not a formal mental health condition, rather a set of behaviors that involve placing the needs of others above one’s own needs. This excessive wish...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Treating Acne: which blood tests can be helpful

Treating Acne: Which Blood Tests Can Be Helpful

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co When one of my patients presents with skin concerns, a component of my plan is always testing, particularly when it comes to acne. Acne is a concern that can arise for a variety of reasons and bloodwork is a helpful tool in understanding its root cause. Without understanding the cause of breakouts,...

Read more
The Energetic Properties of Foods

The Energetic Properties of Foods

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

  By Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg, L.Ac, DACM Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Nutrition extends beyond just the nutritional content of a particular food by focusing on specific medicinal properties as well as the energetic properties each food holds, and how these energies interact with the body. Foods are categorized as cold, cool, neutral, warm or hot.  In TCM, maintaining a predominantly warm diet...

Read more
Microneedling with Exosomes: The Benefits and the Science Behind It

Microneedling With Exosomes: The Benefits And The Science Behind It

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @snatchedbh In recent years, microneedling has gained immense popularity as a non-invasive skincare treatment for a variety of skin concerns, including acne scars, fine lines, and overall skin rejuvenation. But what if we told you there's a way to enhance the benefits of microneedling even further? Enter "microneedling with exosomes" a cutting-edge skincare technique that's been making waves in...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Why Cold Water and Smoothies are Making you Bloated

Why Cold Water and Smoothies are Making you Bloated

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

    By Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg, L.Ac, DACM In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the stomach is seen as a pot, with the fire under it being our metabolism. This digestive fire is crucial for the efficient breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients and smooth flow of Qi...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - 10 Ways To Calm Anxiety

10 Ways To Calm Anxiety

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @curanaturopathy Anxiety is a complex and multifaceted emotional and physiological response to perceived or anticipated threats, which we commonly refer to as stressors. This response is characterized by various cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and physical symptoms.  It’s no doubt that anxiety serves a true purpose as a natural and adaptive reaction to prepare us to deal with challenges...

Read more