Allergy Testing
Healthy digestion is the foundation for good health. Digestive complaints are very common and can include gas, bloating, reflux, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
More serious digestive disorders include gastritis, stomach ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, cholecystitis (inflammation and infection of the gallbladder), proctitis (inflammation of the anal canal) and hepatitis.
Some common causes of digestive complaints are infection and/or dysbiosis (an imbalance of healthy-to-harmful bacteria), liver and/or gallbladder dysfunction, poor secretion of stomach acid or enzymes, high stress, food allergies or sensitivities, inflammation and toxicity.
Allergy Testing
Allergy Testing
IGG FOOD SENSITIVITY & IGE FOOD ALLERGY TESTING
If the food antigen-antibody complex is deposited in the skin for instance, it can lead to acne, psoriasis, eczema, or other dermatologic conditions. If deposited in the mucosa of the intestine or respiratory tract, it can lead to digestive distress or asthma respectively. If deposited in the area surrounding a joint or muscle, it can lead to arthritis or muscle pain or muscle fatigue. In general, food sensitivities can have a negative impact on any immune-related condition: cancer, autoimmune disease (such as lupus, scleroderma, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Grave’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome) and any immune-deficient condition (HIV/AIDS, frequent recurrent infections). Some food reactions manifest in a more subtle and inconspicuous manner, triggering symptoms such as generalized fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbances, mood and/or behavior changes, and even hormone imbalance and weight gain.
On the other hand, foods that trigger an IgE-mediated immune response are known as “food allergies”. These reactions produce anaphylaxis, resulting in immediate onset of symptoms such as hives, airway constriction, facial swelling and labored breathing.
Food sensitivities and food allergies can develop at any time in a person’s life – as early as the first introduction to food in infancy, or in mid-to-later stages of life in adults and seniors. The most accurate method of determining which foods evoke an IgG or IgE response is using a blood test from an accredited laboratory.
IGA FOOD REACTIONS
IgA is another type of antibody that is found in mucous membranes, most prominent in the intestine. IgA antibodies are the first line of defense against suspected disease causing agents like viruses and bacteria. IgA antibodies to specific foods may form when the mucous membrane (lining) of the intestinal tract becomes inflamed or damaged due to stress, alcohol, medications or other inflammation-causing conditions.
IgA food reactivity testing is useful in determining whether a person may have Chron’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease or another inflammatory condition of the digestive tract known as Leaky Gut Syndrome. Identifying and removing IgA-reactive foods may have minimal therapeutic value, with the exception of gliadin (an antigen found in wheat gluten).
The IgA food reactivity test requires a blood sample. Information obtained from IgA food reactivity testing helps confirm the diagnosis of an inflammatory and nutrient malabsorption condition of the gastrointestinal tract.