FOOD SENSITIVITY TESTING

Have you ever noticed that some foods just don’t sit right with you? Maybe you’ve been dealing with unexplained health issues that no matter what you do nothing seems to help. There’s a good chance that a food allergy or sensitivity is to blame. Food sensitivities are extremely common and are on the rise. Food allergies, food sensitivities and related disorders affect at least 100 million people worldwide. The big issue is that food sensitivities can cause chronic inflammation, which weakens our immune systems and can lead to a host of health issues.

What is Causing the Rise in Food Sensitivities?

The Standard American Diet and lifestyle has been shown to create an imbalance in the normal gut flora and interactions with the host immune response are driving the increasing prevalence of food allergy. This can lead to a “leaky gut” where the normal barrier function of the intestines has been compromised. The intestines become “leaky” and allow undigested food particles through the barrier and smaller digested particles to be absorbed at the wrong location in the gut. This stimulates an immune response against the food as a “foreign invader.” As long as the gut is leaky, each time the food is eaten, an immune response is activated.

Other common causes of food sensitivities:

Overuse of medications, NSAIDS, steroids, and antibiotics
Certain autoimmune diseases
Digestive disorders
Chronic stress
Exposure to toxins, heavy metals, mold and chemicals

Food Allergies vs Intolerance or Sensitivity

There is a difference between true food allergies and other delayed food reactions. Food allergy, mediated by IgE(Immunoglobulin E) causes an immediate immune response that can be life threatening including hives, swelling, trouble breathing and anaphylaxis. Food intolerance or sensitivity mediated by IgA or IgG causes delayed reactions that can occur up to 72 hours after ingestion causing inflammation. This makes it difficult for a patient to pinpoint which foods are causing reactions.

Common Symptoms of Food Sensitivities

When a person is repeatedly exposed to unknown food triggers, the result can be an inflamed gut, activation of the immune response, and chronic underlying inflammation. This can lead to the development of symptoms such as:

indigestion
gas, bloating
acid reflux
diarrhea, constipation
joint pain

nasal congestion
rashes
acne
headaches
fatigue

poor immune function
anxiety
depression
hyperactivity
autoimmunity

Food Allergy Testing

The most common way to test for IgE mediated food allergies is through a skin prick test. To test for non-IgE, IgG and IgA food sensitivities, blood tests can be done that indicate reactions to problematic foods. There are so many tests out there that look at food sensitivities, however some are more accurate than others. A Functional Medicine Doctor like Dr. Dersam can order a trusted test for you.

At Integrative Medicine of Arizona we work with Vibrant America to handle our food sensitivity testing. When you order our Food Sensitivity Testing Package we help you identify the foods potentially causing your health issues, then create an anti-inflammatory diet to help you begin healing from the inside out. Food sensitivity testing is a powerful tool in healing your gut and reversing autoimmunity.