Understanding Food Allergies
A food allergy is a change to your physiology that produces a negative immune response to certain foods, or groups of foods. This is generally a fast-acting immune response that can cause swelling, hives, itching, and anaphylaxis. This response is mediated by an antibody called IgE.
Other food reactions can occur that are not IgE mediated. These reactions include IgG-mediated (or “delayed”) reactions that may produce symptoms many hours or even days after a food is consumed. Although IgG reactions may not be considered true “allergies”, they can still indicate a reaction to a particular food or foods. IgG reaction may be linked to symptoms such as chronic inflammation, gas, bloating, diarrhea &/or constipation and may aggravate other underlying health complaints. This type of reaction may be thought of as a food sensitivity rather than a food allergy.
What are the signs and symptoms of a food allergy or sensitivity?
The signs and symptoms of a food allergy can range from life-threatening and immediate anaphylaxis to hives, itchy throat, and swelling of glands.
Food sensitivities most often result in chronic symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, fatigue and low energy, nausea, poor sleep, weight gain, asthma, and possibly skin rashes and eczema. Symptoms may vary depending on the person and the frequency of exposure.
Who should I see for my food sensitivity or food allergy test?
You can either visit a Naturopathic Physician and/or a Medical Doctor. Medical doctors may also refer you to an allergist for food allergy testing.
What you can expect from a visit with a naturopathic doctor
Our naturopaths will take an in-depth medical history which includes food intake and lifestyle habits. Blood tests may be ordered as part of your assessment. Our naturopathic doctors take food allergies very seriously. You will never feel rushed and attention to detail is what we excel at.
Acute reactions to food allergens are easier to diagnose as the signs and symptoms have a rapid onset. Chronic reactions to food sensitivities can be very vague and can even present as signs and symptoms of other medical conditions. Our naturopaths often see undiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed food sensitivities. Our naturopaths have the practical and clinical experience to help determine if food allergies or sensitivities are part of the underlying cause of your health complaints.
What tests do your naturopathic doctors offer for food allergies or sensitivities?
Our NDs offer two main types of blood testing: A blood draw test and a finger prick test. The blood draw test will evaluate both IgG and IgE reactions. The finger prick test looks for IgG-associated reactions only.
What happens after my test results come in?
In Vancouver, food allergy test results usually take about two to three weeks to come back. Once the results are in, your ND will review the results and then meet with you to discuss the next steps, such as dietary changes and other natural interventions to help reduce your reactions and ease your symptoms.
NDs focus on treating the underlying cause of symptoms and, although they may provide some treatments for symptomatic relief in the short term, they are also focused on helping you to address the underlying causes of the symptoms you are experiencing so that your body can heal itself.
Options for treating food allergies may include dietary counseling, lifestyle changes, botanical (herbal) medicine, orthomolecular (vitamin-mineral) medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, or other treatment/s chosen specifically for your symptom profile.
Our naturopaths will also spend the time to educate you on the food options available to you. The food marketplace can be very confusing, and a lot of misinformation surrounds food products and their “benefits”.
NDs can also decode technical ingredient names found on the back of food products. Once your food sensitivity has been diagnosed they can discuss all options available to you
