Food Allergy Testing

The Antibody Assessment provides information on two types of allergic/immune responses to specific foods: IgE type reactions & IgG type reactions. The development of food allergies is due to many factors, two of which are within your control: exposure to the allergenic good, and frequency of consuming the allergenic food.

IgE is an indicator of “classic”, or immediate onset, allergies. IgE responses may occur simply from a few exposures to the food regardless of how frequently it is consumed, but can also be due to increased exposure to the food. IgG is an indicator of “delayed” allergies. IgG responses are more dependent on frequency of exposure to the food. Any food may elicit an IgE response, or an IgG response, or both.

Classic Allergies

Once a food has caused an IgE response it is referred to as a classic allergy, which is generally considered fixed (permanent) for life. No matter how long that food is avoided a reaction may result when it is eaten again. Strong IgE immune responses may cause immediate reactions such as asthma attacks, anaphylactic shock, or instant hives, whereas milder IgE reactions may result in acute headaches, itching of the mouth, or unclear thinking. Since IgE reactions usually occur minutes after eating the food, you can usually trace the reaction to a certain food. Strawberries, shellfish or peanuts are well-known offenders, though any food can cause an IgE response.

When an IgE-associated food is avoided, the IgE antibodies to that food will drop significantly within weeks. However, the antibodies often appear as soon as the food is consumed again. These foods are often problematic when reintroduced, and they may need to be avoided for life. When the reactive foods have been strictly avoided for some time, IgE antibodies may not be elevated.

Delayed Allergies

A food that causes an IgG response is referred to as a delayed allergy, which may come and go in cycles, depending on whether the food is eaten or avoided. IgG allergies usually result from eating too much of a particular food too frequently over a given period of time (weeks to months). IgG responses may cause delayed symptoms, such as joint or muscle pain, chronic headaches or fatigue. Since IgG reactions often occur hours or days after particular foods are consumed, they can be difficult to recognize. The reactions can be subtle or severe, and may lead to chronic (long-term) symptoms and chronic degenerative conditions.

When an IgG food is avoided it may take 3 to 9 months for the antibody level against that food to decrease significantly. However, for the antibody level to return to the previous level, the food may have to be eaten frequently for weeks to months. For that reason, these foods are often less problematic when reintroduced; when consumed infrequently in a rotation diet, they seldom have to be avoided for life.

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