identifies foods your body struggles to digest or reacts to negatively—without involving the immune system like a true allergy does.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
1. What It Is
- Measures how your body reacts to certain foods.
- Unlike a food allergy (which involves IgE antibodies and can cause severe reactions like anaphylaxis), food intolerance usually causes digestive or mild systemic symptoms.
- Common intolerances include lactose, gluten, or certain sugars and additives.
2. How It Works
There are several types of tests:
a) Blood Tests
- Detect IgG antibodies to specific foods (controversial but commonly used in labs).
- Your blood is exposed to multiple food proteins, and the lab measures reaction levels.
- Usually tests 50–200+ foods.
b) Breath Tests
- Used for lactose, fructose, or other carbohydrate intolerances.
- You drink a sugar solution, and the breath is tested for hydrogen or methane, which indicates malabsorption.
c) Elimination Diets (Non-lab Method)
- You remove suspected foods for a few weeks, then reintroduce them slowly.
- Monitors symptom changes to identify triggers.
3. Symptoms of Food Intolerance
- Bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation
- Headaches or migraines
- Fatigue
- Skin problems (eczema, rashes)
- Joint pain or mild swelling
4. Benefits
- Identify foods that cause discomfort
- Help with digestive health, skin issues, and inflammation
- Personalize your diet to improve energy, digestion, and well-being
