Food Allergy Testing Methods

How to choose the right food allergy test for you

There are many food allergy clinics and online services out there offering food allergy testing. Our Naturopaths work from Vibe Natural Health in Brisbane and have been helping people in Brisbane manage their food allergy symptoms for 14 years. People with food allergy and intolerance are generally really confused about finding the foods causing the problem Take the frustration out of it and let our Naturopaths help you.

People are often confused about how to get tested for food allergies. There’s also confusion around the difference between food allergies and food intolerances. Many people have a combination of both allergies and intolerances and that’s where the guidance of a trained Naturopath will help you unravel the mysteries of your symptoms.

Food Allergies provoke an immune system reaction in the body to food, this is easily measurable by testing for antibodies to foods.
Food Intolerances provoke a physiological reaction ( like a side effect to a drug ) to the chemicals in certain foods. An example of this is lactose intolerance, where the body can’t break down the sugar (lactose) in milk and you feel gassy, bloated or fuzzy in the head. Some food intolerances can be tested for with lab tests, and others need to be identified by keeping a food and symptoms diary while eliminating, then challenging the food. Many people ring me up wanting to drop in for a quick allergy test, but a quick fix will never reveal all your allergies and intolerances. This is because there isn’t a lab test for every type of food triggered symptom. In my experience, the best approach to identifying your food triggers is to take the time to spend a few sessions with a trained Naturopath, you’ll get a much better result in identifying your food allergies and intolerances.

We use 2 main methods to identify food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities : Blood Testing and Elimination Diets.

Blood Testing for Food Allergies

In our earlier blog post, Food Allergy Testing we discussed the different types of food allergies, slow onset and fast onset food allergy. There’s debate in the medical community about what defines a true food allergy. Some doctors believe that fast onset allergies (IgE allergies) are the only type of food allergy.

As a Naturopath, I have seen evidence in my patients of both fast onset and slow onset food allergies. I’ve performed hundreds of allergy tests and found that the slow onset (IgG) allergies are very prevalent amongst children and adults. The proof is in the pudding, my clients have eliminated the foods they tested positive to in a slow onset allergy test, and their symptoms have improved or gone away.

It’s important to test for allergies properly, using a blood test sent to an accredited laboratory. Some health food stores offer instant blood testing in the store, or hook you up to a computer which tests your food allergies. These aren’t reliable and I wouldn’t recommend them.

For slow onset food allergies we perform the 96 Food IgG allergy test.

In our clinic we take 3ml of blood via a tiny pin prick to your finger (no syringe of blood draw needed) and send this to an accredited laboratory – US Biotek. They use the ELISA method to test the blood for immune antibodies to 96 common foods. A report is provided which measures antibody levels : none, mild, moderate or severe levels to each food.

To read our Frequently Asked Questions and get your sample food allergy test report, enter your details in the sign up box on the right of screen.

For fast onset allergies we measure the body’s response to foods via IgE antibodies. A blood test at the local pathology lab with a blood draw is needed. This can be useful for asthmatics/ skin issues/ hives. We also recommend you consult your GP for advice regarding your risk of anaphylactic (life threatening) allergy.

Scientific Studies to validate IgG slow onset food antibody testing

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and IgG food allergy testing

A study on Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients who reduced foods they tested positive to on an IgG allergy test showed a 26% reduction in symptoms score compared to a group of IBS patients who reduced the same foods who didn’t test positive to allergies to the same foods.

Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial Gut 2004;53:1459-1464 doi:10.1136/gut.2003.037697

Autism and IgG food allergy Testing

An aggravation of neurological symptoms has been reported in autistic patients after the consumption of milk and wheat. On testing it was found that the level of IgG antibodies for casein and other milk proteins was significantly higher in this group than those of the control group. Following a period of 8 weeks on an elimination diet, there was a marked improvement in behavioural symptoms.

Lucarelli S, et al. Food allergy and infantile autism. Panminerva Medicine, 1995; 37 (3): 137-41

Rhematoid Arthritis and IgG food Allergy testing

In another study, patients with rheumatoid arthritis placed on a gluten-free diet showed a decrease in IgG serum levels which correlated with an improvement in symptoms of the disease in 40% of subjects, compared to a 4% improvement in the control group, over a one year period.

Hafstrom I, et al. A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies to food antigens. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2001; 40 (10): 1175-9

Food Elimination Diet – identifying food intolerances

Keeping a food & symptom diary and getting a Naturopath / Nutritionist to review your allergy symptoms is a great way to get started on the path to discovering your allergies and food intolerances. Professionals are trained to know what foods are most likely to cause allergy symptoms and help you manage your symptoms with dietary advice.

Not all food triggered symptoms come from immune antibody reactions. If you have food intolerances such as reactions to common food chemicals like lactose, frutose, amines or salicylates a blood test will not discover these reactions or food sensitivities. This is why supervised eliminations and challenges are vital. You may be reacting to a chemical or preservative in a food, which is not irritating your immune system, but is not digested properly by your body. Such chemicals include salicylates, amines, colourings and preservatives. These can trigger migraines, itching, nausea, abdominal pain and itching.

You can eliminate the suspected allergic foods under the supervision of your Naturopath. The period of elimination allows the immune systems response to the allergic foods to settle. Symptoms may reduce or disappear during this time.

After a designated period of time, the food is re-introduced or “challenged” while symptoms are tracked. If you have allergies or reactions to the challenged food, you are deemed to be allergic or intolerant to that food. NB we do not advocate this method for fast onset/ anaphylactic allergies – these foods should always be avoided or tested under supervision of GP / Allergist.

Why eliminate the food and challenge it?

When you eat a food every day, the reaction to that food gets dampened down. It is very hard for you to know what foods are causing your allergy symptoms. For example milk allergy or lactose intolerance can cause mucus, bloating and nausea. When consumed every day the symptoms can be mild to moderate and don’t necessarily occur right after drinking milk. A “critical mass” amount of milk may have to be reached to have any symptoms at all. Everyone’s critical mass tipping point is different. One person may have symptoms after one milky coffee, and another person may have to consume a milky coffee, some cheese and some ice cream throughout a day or two to provoke any symptoms from consuming milk.

Once a food has been eliminated for long enough, when you challenge the food the symptoms become much more obvious.

It is always best done under supervision as Naturopaths/ Nutritionists are trained to identify allergenic foods, select the duration and method in which to eliminate and challenge and then advise you on how to modify your diet accordingly.

If you’d like to know more about the test, including testing prices, what foods we test and other frequently asked  questions, enter your details in the sign up box on right of screen and we’ll email you.

Would you like an appointment for food allergy testing in Brisbane?

The Naturopaths at Vibe Natural Health offer appointments at our clinic at 210 Days Rd, Grange in Brisbane.
Visit our appointment diary on the top right of screen to book now.
If you have questions, please email us rather than commenting on the blog at info@vibenaturalhealth.com.au

Or phone us on (07) 3366 7970. We would love to help you!