Food Intolerance Tests
Many people believe that they are suffering from disease as a result of a food or foods that they are eating. Food intolerance can cause a wide range of problems including bloating, headaches, itchy skin, fatigue and many other symptoms, so if you suffer from a mixture of unexplained symptoms it can be a good idea to have food intolerance testing. Particularly as Allergy UK suggest that up to 45% of the population may suffer from food intolerance.
Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same. Symptoms of food allergy tend to be acute, occurring within minutes of consuming the allergenic food. The response can be severe and in some cases life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms are the result of an immune reaction to the food by IgE antibodies, the classical allergic reaction, and can happen in response to the tiniest amount of the food.
Food intolerance symptoms may not occur for hours or days after eating the particular food, which is why food intolerance is also known as 'delayed onset food allergy'. The delayed response is rarely life-threatening, but tends to cause chronic symptoms, and it can be difficult to identify the offending food. The affected person has often suffered for years.
Any food can cause a food intolerance, but it foods that are eaten more frequently or in larger amounts that are often linked to food intolerance symptoms. Dairy products, wheat, eggs, tomatoes and yeast are common culprits.
Food intolerance can be identified with careful planning and investigation. Keeping a food diary, checking ingredients, sticking to a simple and natural diet, and eliminating suspect foods sequentially and reintroducing them until the culprit is apparent. It takes time and patience.
Alternatively food intolerance testing kits are available which measure levels of IgG antibodies, helping to identify the foods which should be eliminated. Research shows that if people follow an elimination diet based on their IgG results their health improves (to read for yourself follow links to research papers below).
Basic Yes/No - Food Intolerance Testing
This simple pin-prick test is a useful indicator test to determine whether or not you have a food intolerance. However, it does not identify any particular foods.
Cost: £16.00
In depth - Food Intolerance Testing
This pin-prick test analyses your IgG response to over 100 foods and is the only food intolerance testing endorsed by Allergy UK. It helps you to pinpoint the foods you have a food intolerance to, so that you can eliminate the foods that may be causing you problems.
Cost: £240.00
Vegetarian Foods - Food Intolerance Testing
If you are eating a vegetarian diet and think you may have food intolerance this pin-prick food intolerance testing is for you. This intolerance test measures you IgG response to over 100 vegetarian foods to help you identify and eliminate foods which may be causing your symptoms.
Cost: £240.00
Research on elimination diets and food intolerance testing
Treating irritable bowel syndrome with a food elimination diet followed by food challenge and probiotics; abstract full text
Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial; abstract full text
Food-specific IgG4 antibody-guided exclusion diet improves symptoms and rectal compliance in irritable bowel syndrome; abstract
More information on food intolerance
BBC health website - food intolerance
Contact
You can contact me to arrange food intolerance testing, by:
e-mail herbalist@hhcentre.co.uk
or telephone 07973 761088
or leave a message 01572 813888
If leaving a message please let me know when is the best time to return your call.
Note:
Do not take this test if you are:
Suffering from a blood borne disease such as Hepatitis or HIV
Under 2 years old
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Taking steroids or immunosuppressants