Testing for Intolerances
There are many ways of testing for intolerance, from using machines in a clinic or health food store, using muscle testing (kinesiology), to using a blood test.
During the many years I have been in practice, I have steered away from the former two methods of food intolerance testing.
This is because I personally believe that the machines test results are as good as the skill of the person using the machine and thus can be very variable. With kinesiology, again the results can be very varied and very much dependent on the skill of the practitioner.
I have found over and over again, that to ensure absolute reliability, I could only recommend to my clients, the ELISA method of blood tests to help identify food intolerances, carried out by highly reputable laboratories in the UK and USA.
Does what you eat affect your health?
What happens if you are suffering adverse reactions to the foods you are eating?
Food intolerance is a major contributor to many health problems – it is estimated that over 45% of the population have a food intolerance and most don’t even know it.
Food intolerance is different from a classic Food Allergy (such as a peanut allergy) in that classic allergies can kill you, if you have even a modicum of the food.
The effect of a classic food allergy is instantaneous. The effect of a food intolerance can be hard to know, as it can affect you minutes after you eat to 24 hours after you eat. If you are eating the food or foods on a regular basis, you could even feel constantly unwell, without ever tracing it to the food you are eating.
So, if you are intolerant to foods, you can eat them daily, with no apparent and immediate effect on the way you feel. However, food intolerance can contribute to making you feel quite unwell with conditions such as Migraines, Bloating, Fluid Retention, Arthritis, Eczema, Sinusitis, Digestive Problems and a Lack of Energy.
What the tests do
If you are intolerant to foods, your immune system produces IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies against that food. ( If you have a classic food allergy, like a peanut, strawberry or environmental allergy, your body will produce different antibodies called IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies to the food or irritant.
The Laboratory I use has over 20 years experience in testing and identifying food intolerances. It provides a specialist personal health laboratory testing service and is committed to quality and the pursuit of Clinical Evidence. The laboratory uses a method called ELISA to detect circulating antibodies. This technique has been shown to be high reliable (95% to 97% reproducible ) in detecting a variety of antibodies using antigens of clinical importance.
Using just a small pin-prick of blood that can be taken easily, and a mailing kit, the test accurately identifies delayed adverse IgG mediated reactions to foods.
Then, when these foods are avoided for a period of time, it leads to a more stable immune response which contributes to improved health.
How many foods can I test for?
I recommend the following:
 |
First Step Food Intolerance Test (£20) - This determines if you have food intolerance but does not specifically test for any particular foods
|
|
Food Scan 76 Foods Intolerance Test (£145) - This more extensive test checks for food intolerance to 76 commonly eaten foods. Click here for a list of the foods covered.
|
|
Food Scan 113 Foods Intolerance Test (£195) - This more extensive test checks for food intolerance to a wider range of 113 foods. Click here for a list of the foods covered.
|
Unless you are sure you have an intolerance, I recommend you take the First Step Food Intolerance Test first. So if you often feel bloated, suffer from headaches, tiredness, skin conditions, joint problems or gut problems, and are unsure as to the causes, this test will let you know whether an intolerance to a food or foods may be playing a part in your symptoms.
This test enables you to eliminate uncertainty and confirms whether food intolerances may well be playing a part in your ill health, by providing a positive or negative IgG antibody result.
If the results is positive, you can then go take either the 76 or 113 Food Scan test to find out in details which foods you are reacting to.
How do I take a Food Tolerance test?
The test is done in the comfort of your own home. I send you a kit which you use to take a tiny pin-prick sample of blood which you then mail directly to the laboratory with your details.
I will normally send your results and report back to you within 14 working days of you sending your sample to the laboratory.
What will I receive?
If you have taken the First Step test, I will e-mail you to tell you if you have food intolerance(s) or not. If you test is positive, I recommend that you then take the 76 or 113 Food Intolerance Test. These are designed to determine the specific foods you are intolerant to, to help you to take personal control of your health and wellbeing.
If you take one of these more comprehensive tests, I will send you your result which lists foods to avoid, foods you should eat only occasionally and foods you can eat freely, as appropriate. A free 10 minute follow-up telephone consultation is included in the price, to answer any queries you may have about your results.
How to order a Food Intolerance Test
To order a Food Intolerance Test click below:
|
