Food Sensitivities Vs Food Allergies Test

Knowing the difference is very important as many people will use food sensitivities or tolerances interchangeably with food allergies. These are two very different tests and tell us very different things. They are not the same.

Food Allergen

Food allergies are tested from the classic IgE immunoglobulin in the blood and react very quickly. Typically, within minutes or hours of eating a food, serious reactions such as hives, difficult breathing or anaphylaxis. We see this in people who severely react to peanuts and they usually have an epinephrine pen handy nearby for these emergency situations.

Food Sensitivity or Intolerance

IgG immunoglobulin reactions to various foods measure the level of sensitivity and the lack of IgG response does not rule out the possibility of an IgE allergic reaction. IgG differs in that they form an antibody-antigen clump with the food protein which the body is normally able to eliminate. However, with time or excessive eating of that particular food, these small complexes can accumulate and cause tissue damage via the release of inflammatory mediators. The end result is the development of a variety of health problems, including eczema, mood disturbances, weight gain, IBS, digestive issues and migraines. The most difficult part is that these reactions are typically delayed, showing up weeks, months or even years after having eating that food without issue. The symptoms typically come and go, with frequency and intensity slowly increasing with time. Patients often are unaware of the connection

The Results

The test comes in a number of formats covering different number of foods. Once results are received, the foods are classified as Normal, Borderline or Elevated. This guides the patients in avoiding the foods that are reactive, helping them to optimize their diet for their body’s needs. I often counsel patients to avoid their borderline and elevated foods for at least a month, and then to begin re-introducing the foods one at a time so we can properly assess each suspicious food. While avoiding the offending foods, I often provide patients with additional digestive support, design to help reduce inflammation and rehabilitate normal physiological function of the gut.

Patients often find food sensitivity test (FST) to be of great tool in helping to address their health issues.