When an allergic reaction occurs, your immune system reacts by releasing antibodies. The foods and inhaled particles that provoke the release of your antibodies are called “allergens”. There are two commonly produced antibodies called IgG and IgE. IgE allergy responses occur immediately after you ingest or inhale an allergen. Alternatively, an IgG allergic reaction may show up several hours or days later. Also, symptoms can be triggered by multiple foods, making it difficult to figure out the culprits without food allergy testing.
When an allergic reaction occurs, your immune system reacts by releasing antibodies. The foods and inhaled particles that provoke the release of your antibodies are called “allergens”. There are two commonly produced antibodies called IgG and IgE. IgE allergy responses occur immediately after you ingest or inhale an allergen. Alternatively, an IgG allergic reaction may show up several hours or days later. Also, symptoms can be triggered by multiple foods, making it difficult to figure out the culprits without food allergy testing.
The problem with Food Allergies & Food Sensitivities
When you consume an aggravating food, a reaction occurs between the allergen and the antibody. This triggers the release of chemicals that lead to inflammation in body tissues. Consequently, this can contribute to a variety of health problems:
- Headaches and high blood pressure
- Mood disorders (such as hyperactivity, depression, anxiety, inability to concentrate)
- Asthma, chronic congestion and recurring respiratory infections
- Eczema, psoriasis, acne and other skin conditions
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint pain
- Runny noses and puffiness around the eyes
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
What is the benefit of testing for IgG food allergies?
Your IgG food allergies are extremely useful to test for and detect by way of food sensitivity testing because they are difficult to identify based on observation alone. Unlike your IgE food allergies (the classic immediate and acute “food allergy” response, leading to hives, swelling or anaphylaxis), your IgG food allergies present as a chronic delayed response. You may not notice symptoms until several meals or even days have passed. Your IgG food allergies would show up more like an “intolerance” or “sensitivity” response. Commonly, you may experience chronic digestive (eg. irritable bowel syndrome) or inflammatory skin conditions (eg. eczema, acne, psoriasis).
Do I have to avoid IgG positive foods for the rest of my life?
The good news about IgG food sensitivities is that with avoidance of an IgG positive food for a period of time, you may be able to re-introduce that food later on without symptoms. This is because the allergen-antibody complexes gradually eliminate from your body with decreased exposure to the allergen. Your naturopath can assist you with re-introduction of foods after taking a food allergy test.
When can I be re-tested to determine how changes I have implemented have affected the results?
Because of the delayed response with IgG food sensitivities, it will take time for your results to normalize in a re-test. This means that even when you avoid trigger foods, it will still take time for your immune system to re-calibrate. Although your symptoms may improve fairly quickly, if you are interested in re-testing you should wait a minimum of 6 months after the initial food allergy test.
What is the difference between a food allergy, food sensitivity and a food intolerance?
The term allergy is basically an all-encompassing term that describes any ingested/inhaled/contacted substance that causes an undesirable response in your body. The above three terms (food allergy, food sensitivity and food intolerance) all refer to immune reactions to foods. Typically, these terms are used to describe the different pathologies behind these reactions.
A food allergy usually refers to IgE immune reactions to foods (think anaphylactic shock or other classic allergic symptoms).
A food sensitivity usually refers to IgG immune reactions to foods. These reactions manifest more slowly and have a delayed presentation. They can present as chronic inflammatory conditions, such as eczema or irritable bowel syndrome.
A food intolerance refers to your body’s general inability to metabolize a food, which can lead to an immune response against that substance. For example, lactose intolerance and celiac disease are considered food intolerances because the body cannot breakdown or deal with lactose or gluten, respectively.
Is there a test that accurately determines all types of food allergies?
Unfortunately, no. Food allergies can fall into so many domains, with many different mechanisms of action, and there is not one universal test that can possibly detect all of your negative reactions to foods.
The only true, but challenging, gold-standard method is a process of elimination followed by re-introduction of foods one at a time. This is often termed an “elimination diet.”
Speak to a naturopath for guidance with an elimination diet or other testing methods.
In preparation for the IgG Food Sensitivity Test, do I need to fast or ensure that I have consumed many types of foods before having it administered?
With the IgG food sensitivity test, you don’t have to consume every food beforehand. Because your response builds slowly in your body, it will only be affected by foods you eat on a regular basis. Eating a small sample of many foods a week before the test will not greatly affect the results of the food allergy test.
How much does the IgG Food Sensitivity Test cost?
How much does the IgG Food Sensitivity Test cost?
Standard Diet Panels:
- IgG 240 Food Sensitivity Panel + Candida ($490) – The 240 Food Panel offers comprehensive testing to identify food sensitivities to both common and less prevalent offenders that, in some cases, a patient may not even realize are in his or her diet. It is an ideal choice for patients who eat a broad range of foods and cuisines. Click on the test to view the sample report.
- IgG 144 Food Sensitivity Panel + Candida ($480) – The 144 Food Panel is a comprehensive food sensitivity testing option for patients who may have underlying sensitivities to less conspicuous antigens. Assess IgG, IgG4, or IgA antibody reactivity across a broad range of culturally-diverse foods to help identify trigger foods in these individuals. Click on the test to view the sample report.
- IgG 96 Food Sensitivity Panel + Candida ($390) – The 96-Food General Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 96 common foods and spices. We offer a general 96 food panel, as well as 4 specialized panels to help identify sensitivities to foods and spices found in typical Asian, Japanese, Mexican, Vegetarian diets (more information below). Click on the test to view the sample report.
Turnaround time for test results is 10-15 business days.
More information on what ELISA testing means – click here.
Specialized Diet Panels:
- IgG 96 Asian Food Panel ($390) – The 96 Asian Food Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 96 foods and spices commonly found in a typical Asian diet. Click on the test to view the sample report.
- IgG 96 Japanese Food Panel ($390) – Our 96 Japanese Food Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 96 foods and spices commonly found in a typical Japanese diet. Click on the test to view the sample report.
- IgG 96 Mexican Food Panel ($390) – Our 96 Mexican Food Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 96 foods and spices commonly found in a typical Mexican diet. Click on the test to view the sample report.
Vegetarian Diet Panels:
- IgG 198 Vegetarian Food Panel ($480) – The 198 Vegetarian Food Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 198 common vegetarian foods and spices. Click on the test for more information (sample report coming soon).
- IgG 96 Vegetarian Food Panel ($390) – The 96 Vegetarian Food Panel is a quantitative ELISA anaIysis of specific IgG and IgA antibodies to 96 common vegetarian foods and spices. Click on the test to view the sample report.
Zentai Wellness Centre offers IgG sensitivity testing of 96 common or 240 different foods from a variety of food groups including meat, fish, dairy, grains, vegetables and fruit. IgG testing is done via blood spot, which requires only a tiny amount of blood and is just as accurate as testing with a more invasive blood draw. This also makes this test more comfortable to test for food allergies in children.
Consult with our Naturopathic Doctors to find out if this test is right for you and discuss potential treatment options. Book an appointment or contact Zentai Wellness Centre for further inquiries.