Food sensitivity testing

Food sensitivity testing is all the rage right now, and can be helpful for some individuals in identifying foods that may be triggering a myriad of symptoms. If you've been having diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, bloating, cramping, loose stool, diarrhea, brain fog, headaches, or other seemingly random symptoms, you may be experiencing a food sensitivity.

Food sensitivities are caused by IgG antibodies in food. This causes a delayed reaction of up to 48 hours since eating the food before you notice symptoms! Food sensitivities should not be confused with ALLERGIES. Food allergies are cause by IgE antibodies, and are life threatening. While food sensitivities may be uncomfortable and frustrating, they are not life threatening. 

There are tests available that many naturopathic doctors to test for IgG antibodies, therefore giving you a list of between 90 and 400 foods that you may be sensitive to. Many patients have found these lists to be helpful in knowing which foods to stay away from to see resolution of their symptoms. However, research on the accuracy of these tests shows that they are not very reliable. They may show foods that are not actually causing you trouble, causing you to remove a food group for weeks at a time that isn't harming you.

While there isn't exactly anything wrong with having these tests done, they can be pricey. The starting cost of testing just under 100 foods is $275+ tax, and there is an option to test more foods if there are specific foods you think may be causing you trouble. So it's really up to you, the patient, if you're willing to spend the money to try this route of testing, or spend less money but more time trial and error-ing what foods you are sensitive to. At the end of the day, it's whatever works for you, your lifestyle, and your budget!

I do run food sensitivity tests for patients who want to have it done, and I'm happy to go over the results with them and support them on their journey! However, if the cost is a little bit too high, there are ways we can identify food sensitivities through elimination. This takes a bit more time, but tends to be much more accurate if you're following the guidelines I've set out when it comes to elimination and food re-introduction.

Whatever way you choose to discover your food sensitivities, we always focus on healing the gut and replenishing nutrient deficiencies along the way, in whatever way we need to based on your individual health history. It may be through herbs, vitamins and minerals, incorporating healing foods, etc.

If you think you may have a food sensitivity and are ready to start healing your body, don't hesitate to book in for a free discovery call, or an initial appointment:
https://allsystemschiropractic.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/17