Food Allergy (Intolerance) IgG Tests
With Nutritional Assessment

Is some of the food you are eating making you ill?

Background
Food allergy is an adverse reaction to food mediated by the immune system. The response leads to the production of increased amounts of specific IgE in case of classic allergy or IgG antibodiesin case of hidden food allergy. With hidden food allergy, also known as food intolerance, the symptoms aredelayed and may not show for some hours or up to 3 days after eating the offending food. This makes it difficult to associate the symptoms with the offending food and many people live with hidden food allergies without knowing it. The offending foods are usually those which are eaten regularly and for some people, dependence on and craving for them may develop.

In the blood, the IgG antibodies produced against a specific food, combine with that food to form immune complexes. These complexes may accumulate in the tissues and joints where they interfere with the normal cellular function and thus causing a wide range of symptoms, and contributing to the development of disease.

Allergy Symptoms And Associated Health Problems
Although this type of allergy is rarely life threatening, it may cause an array of uncomfortable symptoms and chronic diseases. Symptoms which may be mild to severe can vary within an individual and from person to person. Below are some of the commonest symptoms:

• Asthma, hay fever, runny nose
• Irregular heartbeat and increased heart rate
• Dark circles around the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Swelling, puffiness and wrinkles under the eyes
• Weight problems and obesity
• Chronic fluid retention (oedema), chronic swollen glands
• Excessive nasal mucous and stuffy nose, chest congestion
• Ear infections and rhinitis, recurrent sinusitis
• Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or popping in ears)
• Diarrhoea, constipation, IBS, Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Bloating, flatulence, belching, gastritis
• Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia
• Headaches and migraines, low energy and chronic fatigue syndrome

More information on symptoms available here

About The Tests
The tests are designed to identify the offending foods in delayed reaction Food Allergy or Food Intolerance, by measuring the antibodies produced against each of the offending foods. The test uses the modern, highly accurate Enzyme Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) method to detect and measure food specific IgG antibodies. To see the tests available and how order, please see the Screening Tests page.

To see which foods are analysed in each of the tests, please click here: Choosing Your food Allergy Test.

The Causes
Some people have an inherited predisposition to food allergy. However, other people can develop an allergy reaction to food if they are exposed to the following risk factors:

• Regular consumption of a limited number of allergy triggering foods
• Improper weaning or early introduction of solids
• High intake of food additives and preservatives
• Long term use of some drugs and medications
• Adrenal exhaustion (fatigue) and chronic stress
• Inherited predisposition to allergies
• Nutrient deficiencies, imbalances and toxic metal excess

More information on causes available here