Food intolerances and food sensitivities are linked to many chronic illnesses and conditions, including:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation and urgency)
- Heartburn
- Migraine
- Eczema
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Ear, nose and throat problems
Note that food intolerances and sensitivities are different from allergies, although the terms are often confused. They trigger different reactions in your body, which are less rapid and can occur after a delay – even up to 3 days. The slower reaction can make it harder to identify which food is causing the issue.
Skin prick and patch tests are effective for allergies, but not always for other types of food intolerances and sensitivities. These tests may find no allergies, yet symptoms still persist.
At Professional Integrative Medicine, we use a different test, called ‘ELISA’ (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to look for food intolerance and sensitivity. This test is similar to serology testing, which doctors routinely use to measure a patient’s ‘immune memory’ for viruses.
Could food intolerance testing help you?
Call us now for more information
Using ELISA for food intolerance testing
ELISA measures immunoglobulin G or A (IgG or IgA) antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are your body’s immune response to various proteins, including bacterial proteins and virus particles.
Food proteins are generally broken down into amino acid ‘building blocks’ before they enter the blood. Sometimes, the lining of the intestine is weakened and proteins slip through into the blood before this process is completed. Our bodies go into ‘defence mode’, creating antibodies. In turn, the antibodies drive symptoms such as cramps or diarrhoea. This may take as long as 2 or 3 days, one reason it’s difficult to pinpoint the trigger.
Since the body creates different specific antibodies in response to different proteins, the ELISA test helps identify your individual food intolerances or sensitivities.
While the ELISA test was initially developed to screen for other conditions, there is growing evidence for the use of it in relation to food reactions. A list of links to scientific resources is included at the bottom of this page.
What food intolerances does ELISA test for?
The test can measure reactions to over 200 different foods including:
- Dairy proteins such as whey and casein
- Egg proteins from yolk and albumen
- Meats
- Seafood
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fruits
- Yeast
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Wheat components such as gluten and gliadins
People often have mild IgG/A reactions to various foods. A stronger reaction suggests a clinically significant result. In this case, cutting out the relevant foods can improve symptoms. Since IgG reactions are not immediate, it may take a few weeks to see improvement.
Nutritional Plans for Food Intolerance
Our Nutritional Consultant Dr Nikole Grbin can assist you to create a nutritional plan. She is experienced in tailoring plans to individual food sensitivities and food preferences. She also provides practical advice on ingredients, menus and cooking methods to help you stick to your plan.
