Food Allergies Versus Food Sensitivities
Some people have severe food allergies to foods such as peanuts or shellfish, and can have life-threatening reactions which requires them to carry an Epi-pen with them at all times. However, many others have food allergies or sensitivities, which while not life-threatening, can still affect their health in adverse ways. For a person experiencing food allergies, the immune system reacts abnormally to a component of food, which then produces a response or symptoms. The National Institute of Health or NIH estimates that up to 20% of the population suffers from food sensitivities/intolerances.
Symptoms of food sensitivities can be quite varied, and you may not realize that there is a correlation between the foods you are eating and the symptoms you are experiencing. Some of these symptoms can include:
- Stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and itchy or swollen eyes
- Hives or itchy skin
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Bloating
- Shortness of breath/wheezing
- Angioedema/swelling
- Joint pain
- Fatigue or tiredness, even after getting a full night’s sleep
Call our New Patient Coordinator to get all your questions answered.
817-539-6168
Or fill in the inquiry form below and tell us the best way to reach you.
Advantages of the Genova IgE Food Antibodies Test
The Genova IgE Food Antibodies Test does not involve introducing an allergen in order to test for antibodies. To provide a comparison, if you are suffering from airborne allergies, you may go to an Allergist or ENT in order to figure out what you are allergic to. That type of testing involves the skin-prick test where various allergens are injected just below the skin’s surface to see if a reaction is produced.
The Genova Food Allergies Test is different; a simple blood draw is all that’s required. If you have an allergy or a sensitivity to certain foods, antibodies will already be circulating in your blood and can be detected by the test. We see patients who think they may have certain food allergies who might have tried the “elimination diet,” which involves removing certain foods, one at a time to see if symptoms decrease. Unfortunately, this can be time consuming, and is not particularly scientific.
Whenever you are exposed to foods that you are sensitive/allergic to, your body produces antibodies against these foods, and the Genova IgE Food Antibodies Test detects which antibodies are present which identifies the foods that your body is reacting against.
Risk Factors for Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Some risk factors for food allergies can include male sex in children, race/ethnicity, and genetics. However, other risk factors can be controlled in order to reduce the reaction to the allergy or prevent it all together. These can include:
- Improving hygiene
- Imbalances within the gut microbiome and/or leaky gut (Click here for more information on gut health)
- Atopic diseases such as dermatitis
- Vitamin D insufficiency
- Reduced consumption of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Reduced consumption of antioxidants
- Increased antacid use, which reduces the digestion of allergens
- Obesity, which causes an inflammatory state
Ordering the Test
After going over your health history and symptoms with you, Dr. Berutti will determine the extent of testing that needs to be done. The Genova Food Antibody Panel can be ordered as a stand-alone profile or bundled with others. The profiles that can be ordered include:
- IgG Foods – Tests for 87 foods plus total IgE
- IgG Vegetarian – Tests for 21 foods plus total IgE
- IgG Spices – Tests for 24 spices plus total IgE
- IgE Foods – Tests for 19 foods plus total IgE
- IgE Molds – Tests for 15 molds plus total IgE
- Celiac Disease and gluten Sensitivity
Please see below for a sample reports.
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for More Information
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope because they’ve felt unwell for so long and don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s rewarding as a practitioner to be able to help so many people realize a much better “normal” and a regained sense of vitality! Dr. Berutti is a Functional Medicine provider and can help you get to the root cause of what is making you unwell.
Please call us to get more information about how our clinic and Dr. Berutti can help you with your health goals and to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to the opportunity to restore your health and regain your vitality for life!
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
Or fill in the inquiry form below and tell us the best way to reach you.
Test Result Samples
