While food is essential for our survival, not all foods are nourishing for our bodies. Most people recognize the health problems associated with consuming too much sugar or fatty foods, but even healthy foods can cause issues for people with food allergies or sensitivities. With food allergy sensitivity testing, you can learn what foods to avoid and how to improve your diet to reduce your symptoms and strengthen your vitality.
Understanding Food Allergies
An estimated 20 percent of people suffer adverse reactions to certain foods. These adverse reactions are known as food sensitivities or food allergies. An “allergy” is when the immune system overreacts to something it encounters, rejecting the substance and triggering a biological reaction to defend the body from the invading organism or substance. For instance, if you were allergic to a certain type of flower, its scent may cause you to sneeze because your brain is signaling your body to expel the pollen. Similarly, consuming foods your body is sensitive or allergic to could cause a wide range of medical conditions. These conditions may occur in virtually every area of the body, with effects being as minimal as mild indigestion or as severe as celiac disease, arthritis, depression, or nervous system disorders.
Symptoms of food allergies or food sensitivities may be chronic or may occur each time the food is consumed. Some health issues caused by food allergies include:
- ADD/ADHD
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma, coughing, and wheezing
- Bladder infections
- Bloating or flatulence
- Canker sores
- Celiac disease
- Chronic fatigue, acne, or a runny nose
- Constipation
- Depression
- Failure to thrive (infants and toddlers)
- Fainting
- Gastritis
- Headaches or migraines
- Hypoglycemia
- Indigestion
- Insomnia or restlessness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Irritability
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Joint pain
- Lower back pain
- Recurrent bronchitis, ear infections, croup, and other infections
- Seizures
- Skin conditions such as eczema, rash, hives, or acne
- Ulcers or ulcerative colitis
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Weight gain
While this is a lengthy list, it is by no means all-inclusive. Other symptoms can also be indicative of a food allergy or sensitivity.
Food Allergy Sensitivity Testing
Food allergies may cause reactions that occur even days after exposure, making them difficult to diagnose on your own. Without testing, there is no way to be certain whether your symptoms are caused by food sensitivities/allergies or other health concerns. Traditional skin testing, while beneficial, only identifies immediate allergic reactions and therefore may not be able to determine delayed or complex food hypersensitivities. Laboratory blood tests can identify both immediate (IgE) allergic reactions and delayed (IgG) reactions, even to vegetables and spices, to provide you with the valuable information you need. Food allergy sensitivity tests include:
- IgG Food Antibodies
- IgG Vegetarian Assessment
- IgG Spices
- IgE Inhalants
- IgE Molds
- Celiac & Gluten Sensitivities
- Allergix Bloodspot IgG4 Food Antibodies
- Allergix Celiac Profile
With the information provided by food allergy sensitivity testing, you and your healthcare provider can determine a treatment program to reduce or eliminate your exposure to certain foods. By following a personalized treatment and diet plan, you can eliminate unwanted symptoms and reactions to improve your personal health.
Food allergy sensitivity testing identifies immune system overreactions to certain types of foods so that you can know how to minimize your risk of symptoms. For more information, call us at (702) 731-1200 or fill out our online contact form today.