food intolerance testing

Food intolerance testing for Oakham, Melton, Stamford, Market Harborough, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and beyond.

What is food sensitivity/intolerance?

Food sensitivity can result from your body reacting badly to certain foods. Often the foods we include regularly in our diet or the foods we crave may be the ones causing us a problem.

Research has shown that food sensitivity can be linked to IgG antibodies produced when these ‘problem’ foods are eaten. Normally these antibodies do not have any ill-effects, but if the immune or digestive system are not working optimally, their presence may provoke a wide range of symptoms.

How do I know if I have a food sensitivity/intolerance?

Ask yourself if you have any of the following chronic unpleasant symptoms:

• dark circles or puffiness under the eyes

• fluid retention

• dermatitis

• sinus congestion, rhinitis

• insomnia, fatigue

• abdominal pain

• joint inflammation

• fibromyalgia

• inability to lose weight

• indigestion,  IBS

• headache

• chronic ear infections

• asthma

• eczema

• mood swings

• poor memory

• anxiety or depression

• palpitations

 What can I do about it?

Book now for a Food Intolerance test. Many people experience an improvement in symptoms and health after changing their diet based on their Food Intolerance test results. Like any diagnostic test, this test will only produce meaningful results if you are experiencing symptoms. Some symptoms of food sensitivity could be due to other health issues and many need checking with your GP, Ginny will discuss this with you at your appointment.

Why should I do a test?

Symptoms can persist for several days after eating a food, or longer, making it difficult to identify which foods your body is struggling to deal with.  A food intolerance test helps to identify these ‘problem’ foods by detecting food-specific IgG antibodies in your blood. Using these results as a guide, you can then adjust and plan your new diet.

What is the Food Intolerance Test?

The test is a finger-prick blood test for IgG antibodies which can be associated with food sensitivity. It gives quick results empowering you to take control of your health.

Testing is carried out by Ginny during an hour long consultation where your gut health and diet are discussed in detail along with your wider health, medical history and any medications/supplements you may be taking. Test results are given at the end of the consultation along with tailored health advice to your own needs regarding diet, lifestyle and supplements. A Herbal Medicine to optimise digestion can be provided if desired.

Commonly allergenic foods tested in the Food intolerance Test

•  CEREALS – Corn, Durum Wheat, Gluten, Oats, Rice, Rye, Wheat.

•  NUTS & BEANS – Almond, Brazil Nut, Cashew, Cocoa Bean, Peanut, Legume Mix (pea, lentil, haricot), Soya Bean, Walnut.

•  MEATS – Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Pork.

•  FISH – Freshwater Fish Mix (salmon, trout), Shellfish Mix (shrimp, prawn, crab, lobster, mussel), Tuna, White Fish Mix (haddock, cod, plaice)

•  VEGETABLES – Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Leek, Peppers (red, green, yellow), Potato.

•  FRUITS – Apple, Blackcurrant, Grapefruit, Melon Mix (cantaloupe, water melon), Olive, Orange & Lemon, Strawberry, Tomato

•  OTHER – Egg (whole), Cow’s Milk, Garlic, Ginger, Mushroom, Tea, Yeast.

What should I do after the test?

 Ginny will discuss a diet which eliminates your problem foods, offer healthy alternatives and guidance on how to reintroduce the foods.

Typically, an elimination diet with be followed for around 3 months to allow the symptoms to subside and give the body time to recover. Ginny will advise you to come for a mid-point follow up 6 weeks after your test where she will check progress, offer further advice/intervention and discuss the reintroduction of foods at the end of the 3-month period.

Is there anything else that I can do?

As an experienced Medical Herbalist, Ginny has a wealth of knowledge around herbs and supplements that can help to optimize digestion and support healing and recovery of the digestive system during the elimination and/or reintroduction phase. Should you wish, a bespoke herbal medicine can be prescribed based on your symptoms, medical history and requirements for both your digestive system and wider well-being. Please ask at your appointment if this is something you would like to discuss.

Should I eat normally before the test?

The IgG food sensitivity test is based on your immune system producing antibodies in response to eating certain foods. If you have been avoiding a particular food, your body may be producing insufficient antibodies to be detected by the test. You may therefore show a negative response. To ensure a reliable result, you should include that food in your diet daily for at least 1 week (one portion per day) before testing. However, if you know that the food concerned causes you extreme symptoms, do not re-introduce that food at all.

How much is the test?

The cost of the consultation and test is £140. The advised mid-point follow up appointment after 6 weeks is £50 where your progress will be reviewed to ensure that you are eating well and feeling better. At this point, reintroduction of foods will be discussed.

Allergy or Intolerance?

There's a big difference....

Genuine food allergy is rare. About 2% of the population (and 8% of children under the age of three) are affected. A food allergy is a rapid and potentially serious response to a food by your immune system. It can trigger classic allergy symptoms such as a rash, wheezing and itching. The most common food allergies among adults are to fish and shellfish and nuts – including peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and brazil nuts. Children often have allergies to milk and eggs as well as to peanuts, other nuts and fish.

Food intolerances are more common than food allergies. The symptoms of food intolerance tend to come on more slowly, often many hours after eating the problem food. It’s possible to be intolerant to several different foods. This can make it difficult to identify which foods are causing the problem

Food allergy:

• Symptoms come on within seconds or minutes of eating the food

• In extreme cases it can be life-threatening

• Even a tiny trace of the food can cause a reaction

• It is easily diagnosed with tests

 Food intolerance:

• Symptoms come on more slowly and are long-lasting. They often involve the digestive system

• It’s never life-threatening

• A reasonable portion of food is usually needed to cause a reaction, although some people can be sensitive to small amounts

• You may crave the problem food

Recent studies suggest that about 40% of us have some degree of food intolerance. Most intolerances have a slow but cumulative effect on our health, that may eventually impair the immune system - but it’s the extent of our sensitivity that determines whether or not it turns into a chronic health problem.