Which of the three categories do you fall into?
- No adverse reaction to foods
- Immediate adverse reaction to some foods
- Delayed reaction (that we may not know is linked to food)
If you chose one of the reaction answers, perhaps you should seek out food testing (no, not allergy testing).
The key word: Antibodies
A delayed reaction to a food allergy is antibodies. “If you’re not familiar with antibodies, they are something your immune system produces to tell your body to have a reaction,” Dr. Kaycie Grigel, ND said.
Symptoms you may experience that could indicate a food allergy?
- Chronic digestive issues
- Chronic allergies
- Chronic sinus infections
- Asthma
What are the next steps? Some test options include:
IgG – for delayed sensitivity antibody
96 to 144 foods can be tested via a blood test.
“The #1 allergen which people are sometimes unaware of is egg.”
Think of how many meals, packaged items, more have egg as an ingredient. It’s good to know what your limitations may be in order to feel healthier.
Other common foods that people have sensitivities to are “almonds and bananas.”
Neurotransmitter testing – which “measures the chemicals in your brain that influence mood, energy, wakefulness etc.”
Depending on your results, a naturopath may suggest certain vitamins or minerals to aid your health.
Stool testing – specifically microbiome testing – which is “the collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies and inside us.”
This could result in a probiotic being suggested to “grow your microbiome.”
What you eat directly correlates with your microbiome. “Our diet absolutely impacts our microbiome because we have to eat [certain items] to grow a healthy microbiome,” she said.
Helpful foods that have healthy bacteria include fermented foods like kefir and yogurt, she said. In addition, fiber is important as that is “what our microbiome likes to eat.”
Medications can have the opposite effect.
And to no surprise, “Stress itself will decrease the microbiome,” whether it be environmental, chemical, or just feeling stressed.
Considering how big a role food plays in our lives, it can be very helpful to undergo testing in order to feel more comfortable in our bodies!
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