FOOD SENSITIVITY vs FOOD ALLERGY
The understanding of these two conditions is often intermixed. The major differences between food intolerance vs. allergy lie in severity and duration of sufferer’s symptoms, body’s immune response and follow up treatment.
In cases of food intolerances/ sensitivities the onset of symptoms is commonly delayed and not life threatening. The main contributing factors in this instance may be enzyme deficiency, altered intestinal permeability (‘leaky gut’), histamine releasing effects, poor liver function – sluggish detoxification and prolonged high emotional stress levels – which negatively affect all the above. The blood test used for detecting food sensitivities measure so called IgG –Immunoglobulin G type antibody.
One of the most common examples of food sensitivity is lactose intolerance – caused by the deficiency of intestinal enzyme lactase.
On the other hand, true food allergies produce immediate symptom onset and immunological adverse reaction to ingested food/ additives and are detected in blood by raised levels of specific antibodies IgE – Immunoglobulin E. Ingestion of allergenic food can cause a serious or even life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis). The physical symptoms of food allergies often
CAN I HAVE BOTH – FOOD SENSITIVIVITY & FOOD ALLERGY?
The answer is YES.
Food, food additives and chemicals intolerances can contribute to variety of physical symptoms and emotional disturbances (such as anxiety, low self-esteem due to constant weight gain, insomnia, etc.)
Below are the most common conditions & symptoms in which food intolerances are often one of the major contributing triggers of medically diagnosed ‘dis-ease’ process:
WHICH TEST IS THE RIGHT ONE FOR ME?
There are different types of tests available on the market these days, each of them promising accurate results. However, from my opinion, research, personal experience and my patients’ feedback I strongly believe that the best and the most accurate way to test for food, chemicals and inhalants intolerances and allergies is by individualized blood test.
Depending on your diet, symptoms and diagnosis, which are all discussed in detail during your initial consultation, the most appropriate test will be explained and suggested.
PATHOLOGY TESTS
Pathology blood tests are highly accurate offering a wide range of testing panels to choose from (general/ vegetarian foods, food additives/ chemicals, moulds, environmental chemicals and even herbs & spices). They provide the option of testing both IgG (sensitivities) antibodies or/ and IgE (allergy) antibodies.
As for any of the pathology tests you will need your health care professional’s referral which will be given to you during your consultation.
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