Food Sensitivity Testing

As a naturopath in Sydney one of the main health concerns I’m seeing in the clinic is food sensitivities. They’re on the rise and there are lots of theories out there as to why that is!

Some say this is due to the assault on the microbiome which has lead to an impaired gut lining and therefor an increase in the load on the immune system two thirds of which is located directly around the gut.

Others say it’s due to the overwhelming amount of toxins we’re now exposed to leading to lower tolerance and more sensitivity.

Whatever the case is, digestive imbalance and food sensitivity is something I see daily.

Naturopath’s who work with digestive health will tell you testing is essential…

Without proper testing, you’re at best guessing.

How much inflammation is happening in the gut?

What bacteria is imbalanced?

Any parasitic infections involved?

Any food allergies or sensitivities?

(beyond the gluten and lactose that is)

Food Sensitivities and Allergies - Find out which foods don't work for you

I’m going to take the time to explain some key points around food sensitivity testing and why this is a key area of focus within a naturopathic clinic. Also presenting two key cases from my own clinical practice. 

The bulk of the work I do within the naturopathic clinic is working with some form of digestive dysfunction whether it’s IBS, IBD, SIBO, parasitic infections or long standing digestive imbalances which seem to have no clear origin.

The gut is often the first area of focus even when you’re struggling with something that seems unrelated like immune system dysfunction (auto-immune diseases are on the rise) or skin conditions (like acne and eczema)

“Is food sensitivity testing really necessary?”

For some clients, when I suggest undergoing extensive investigations to assess their immune response to certain foods, there is often the concern of cost.

Food sensitivity tests can cost between $200- $550 depending on how many foods are being tested and the type of test being conducted. So, let’s take a closer look at what they are and who might benefit from having them done.

What is food allergy testing?

IgE food allergy testing is often referred to as a ‘true allergy’ test. It’s often done to see if there is a potential gluten allergy or lactose intolerance. An IgE immune response is usually immediate and the symptoms arise very soon after exposure to the food, generally within a matter of hours.

So if you have lactose intolerance and you have a big slice of cheese cake you’ll know about it shortly after.

Even though the response to these are immediate, it’s important to note that Coeliacs can often be left
undiagnosed for many years as can lactose intolerance. I’ve had many patients who’ve gone undiagnosed
well into their 20’s and 30’s so please don’t assume you’ve been screened somewhere along the line.
Take the following case study…

A real client of mine:

Lou is 27 years old and comes into the clinic complaining of adult acne. She’s tried all possible external
treatments and products and upon further investigation she also has chronic constipation which has been around as long as she can remember. She’s been to see several doctors and another naturopath who put the acne down to
a toxic overload due to her slow bowel. 

Lou has been on and off laxatives for much of her 20’s.

We sent off the pathology looking for lactose intolerance and coeliacs, in addition we sent off several functional pathology tests to check to see if she carried the gene for coeliacs.

Lou was surprised when the results came back showing positive across the board for coeliacs and after cutting out gluten within 3 months her skin and digestive symptoms improved dramatically and her need for the laxatives decreased.

It’s important to have the testing done especially in chronic long standing conditions.

Don’t assume it’s been screened for in the past.

With these type of immune responses it’s helpful to keep in mind that continuous exposure to the allergen is going to cause inflammation in your gut compromising your gut lining. More on that in a seperate blog post.

Cutting the culprit out here is the best approach as long term inflammation of the digestive system has been linked to autoimmune conditions.

What is food sensitivity testing?

With food sensitivity testing, these are often referred to as IgG tests. This is a slower immune response, your body produces antibodies to the food and it may take up to 3 days to see symptoms. So it’s a little harder generally to pin point what’s causing the sensitivity in the first place.

Important to note you can have just about any food substance tested and these are often done as panels so you can request a panel of 50 foods be tested and these may include most of the things you’re consuming or are suspecting as being an issue.

An example of a case in which we’ve used the IgG testing:

Hayley came into my clinic with her mum she was 14 and was having terrible digestive symptoms including lots of pain, bloating and diarrhea.

We immediately eliminated dairy and gluten and Hayley and her mum opted to do an elimination diet instead of the pathology testing and put major foods on rotation.

After one month on an elimination diet we still didn’t have a clear picture of what was causing the issue, with symptoms persisting. We sent for a food sensitivity test and found there was a significant sensitivity to both rice and tomatoes. As well as other foods which came back as a moderate range food sensitivity.

This was a little more complex which is why it was such a challenge to pin point with the elimination diet. Once we had the clarity from the IgG test the results came about fairly quickly.

Here we were able to eliminate the sensitizing foods for a period of time, focus on healing the gut and then slowly re-introduce the foods in a very structured way and with gut support.

What is food sensitivity testing used for?

IgG food sensitivity testing isn’t covered by Medicare and the out of pocket cost can be a significant amount depending on how many food panels you’re having tested.

However if you have long standing digestive issues this may be something you discuss with your holistic health care provider.

After taking an in-depth case history and having clients track their food intake via a diet diary I may refer for further testing in any of the following…

All forms of digestive dysfunction- Chronic constipation or diarrhoea

Chronic skin conditions like Eczema or Psoriasis

IBS- IBD

Dysbiosis 

Autoimmune conditions

It’s not to say that everyone that comes through the clinic door with these conditions will require a food sensitivity test however it’s something that we may consider if the case history calls for it.

Also helpful to note if you have any food allergies that run in the family as this is something that can offer some insight.

Beyond that I always inquire about childhood food allergies, many clients believing that they had ‘x’ allergy when they were a child but they “out grew” that particular food allergy and what can often be the case is that as your immune system matured your response to that food diminished but it may still be a causative factor in your digestive dysfunction.

So if you are struggling with digestive issues try eliminating any allergens from when you were a child and see what response you get there.

How to choose the right food sensitivity testing or food allergy testing for you?

Be mindful of the ‘do it yourself’ tests you can buy online, how reputable is the lab and can you ensure the money your spending is going to deliver accurate results that you can bet your health on?

As a clinical naturopath I work with certified pathology labs in Australia who have high standards. As mentioned above, I screen diet diaries and symptoms as well as take an in-depth case history to ensure we’re not wasting money on panels and tests that aren’t necessary, and covering all the major foods you are consuming regularly.

So consult your health practitioner and make sure the money you’re investing in your health is well spent.

Coping and Support Strategies to Manage Food Sensitivity & Food Allergies

Another key point I will finish up on here, if or when a food allergy or sensitivity is uncovered it’s important to note that you may need some help with learning how to create and navigate an entirely new diet.

The sensitivity IgG tests in particular can be overwhelming as many foods may be graded in terms of their immune response severity. So working with your naturopath or nutritionist is key here with understanding that you may have a moderate response to one food substance but still be able to consume small quantities of that food in isolation or with foods that are considered safe and in the green zone for you.

While somewhat overwhelming an experienced naturopath can take the time to support and reduce the inflammation in your gut and get to the bottom of what’s causing your sensitivities through having the testing is a good idea for many.

Final note here with sensitivities you don’t want to eliminate problem foods permanently and forever, the goal should be to improve your gut function to a point where you are able to tolerate small amounts of the substance. In contrast to a true IgE allergy where eliminating the food permanently may be your best option.

There is some evidence that supports with sensitivities eliminating entire foods can lead to more severe and long term gut issues as well as deficiencies from a lack of diversity in the foods being consumed in the diet. Another reason why getting the clinical support and guidance is key here.

There is often a focus on getting key nutrients from other sources and some work to be done on the microbiome to ensure optimum gut function is restored. It really is a process.

Testing helps us to gain some idea of what’s going on in there, and where we might need to go with our protocols. While this article is focused on food sensitivities you might be interested in finding out more about IBS and other tests associated with that you can find that here.

You deserve to wake up every morning feeling happy, healthy and confident to face whatever the day has to throw at you and having a strong robust digestive system is a key part of the puzzle.

If you’d like to learn more about food sensitivity testing or anything else please fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you with available times. Sessions are available online and face to face.