IGG FOOD SENSITIVITY TESTING

Digestive discomfort, low energy, brain fog, gas & bloating, headaches, asthma, & skin conditions may be signs that you are experiencing an inflammatory reaction to the foods you are eating, making you a good candidate for food sensitivity testing.

 
 
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What is a Food Sensitivity? 

When we are exposed to certain foods, the immune system can react by releasing cells called antibodies much like it would to a virus or bacteria. Foods that cause antibodies to be released are called "antigens" or allergens. Two types of antibodies commonly produced in response to foods are IgE, and IgG. IgE results in an immediate anaphylactic reaction causing your classic peanut-style allergy, while IgG results in a delayed response, causing less recognizable food sensitivities. Both types of antibodies can be tested, each with indications for different concerns.

Common symptoms of a food allergy reaction include:

  • Systemic: Fever, fatigue, chills, sweating and feeling weak. 
  • Skin: Acne, itching, redness, swelling, and rashes (including eczema). 
  • Brain: Mood and memory disturbances and behavioural problems.
  • Lungs: Bronchitis and asthma symptoms. 
  • Musculoskeletal: Joint pain, muscle stiffness and swelling. 
  • Digestive tract: Nausea & vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating

These symptoms may occur hours to days after a food is consumed.

How do food sensitivities happen? 

In an IgG mediated food sensitivity, IgG antibodies attach themselves to antigens and create whats called an antibody-antigen complex. Normally these are removed by special immune cells called macrophages. If the complexes are present high numbers, due to continued consumption of the offending food antigen, the macrophages are unable to remove all complexes. As these antibody-antigen complexes accumulate, they can be deposited in body tissues possibly resulting in inflammation and a variety of other health conditions.

A contributing factor to food sensitivities is leaky gut syndrome. This syndrome is often caused by inflammation in the gut lining. Inflammation can be caused by food allergies, stress, certain drugs, and alcohol. When the gut lining is inflamed the connections between these cells weakens allowing food antigens to leak into the bloodstream. The presence of food antigens in the bloodstream causes the body to produce immunoglobulins (IgE or IgG antibodies) to attack them. To your body these food antigens are seen as invaders and thus your body mounts an immune response to deal with them. 

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Taking The Test 

The food allergy tests requires a simple blood collection, and results reporting typically takes less than 2 weeks from the time of sample collection. There is no need to change your diet, in fact it is important you continue eating the foods you normally eat. Requisitions are provided in office, and sample collection is done at any LifeLabs location. 

A sample report of an IgG results appears to the right. The report clearly shows reaction to each individual food. Foods that are red are considered foods that are highly reactive. Thus, it is easy to see at a glance which foods are problematic for you. Knowing what are reactive foods is an important first step to achieving better health.

Results interpretation and a personalized management plan created by our Naturopathic Doctors are provided with all IgG food allergy testing results