Do you plan to do a food intolerance test to see what foods your body doesn't like? Have doubts about accuracy? It's your fault.
Food sensitivity is not a real medical diagnosis. This term is used by manufacturers of blood tests that measure the body's sensitivity to specific foods. The problem is that these tests are not supported by strong evidence or widely accepted by physicians.
Allergy, intolerance and sensitivity
Food allergies occur where the immune system reacts to a substance, usually a protein, in a food. The immune system works when you detect a harmful substance by creating antibodies. When someone is allergic to a food, their immune system identifies a specific protein as harmful and creates antibodies to fight it. This results in a variety of symptoms such as skin rash and breathing problems.
Food intolerances are not a reaction of the immune system, but they are related to difficulties in digestion. Food intolerances are explained by the lack of an enzyme needed to digest certain foods or in response to the added substances in what we consume. Those with food intolerance can eat small amounts of food that cannot be eaten without feeling any symptoms. When they eat too much, the body reacts. For example, people who are lactose intolerant may drink small amounts of milk or eat low-lactose dairy products without feeling bad.
Food sensitivity has no standard medical definition. It can be used for anything. Sometimes this term is exchanged with food intolerance, such as sensitivity to sulfites or sensitivity to histamine. In other cases it is used to summarize allergies and intolerances.
Although food sensitivity is not an official diagnosis, day by day the popularity of tests that determine these sensitivities is growing. However, at present, there is no evidence to prove that the tests are accurate or reliable in diagnosing intolerances, allergies or sensitivities.
Like allergy tests, these tests also look for immunoglobin antibodies.
In the case of allergies, skin tests and blood tests measure a protein called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. Presence of IgE antibodies signifies immune system response.
Dietary sensitivity or intolerance tests measure the presence of IgG (not IgE). IgG antibodies do not correctly identify either food allergies or intolerances. Most people produce IgG antibodies after eating. They do not correspond to an intolerance, although frequent exposure to a food results in higher IgG levels.
Because IgG antibody-based tests do not correctly identify sensitivities or allergies, it cannot be said that food intolerance tests are accurate. As a result of these unreliable tests, you can avoid healthy foods or consume foods that harm you.
If you think you are intolerant of a food, consider the following symptoms: colic, flatulence, gas, diarrhea and / or redness and itching. These symptoms appear hours after consuming the suspected food. Monitor what you eat and gradually eliminate foods that you think you cannot tolerate. Only in this way will you know which food you barely digest.
