Identify hidden food sensitivities that may be driving inflammation, digestive issues, skin problems, headaches, and fatigue.
The complex way food affects our everyday lives is an emerging area of understanding, and diagnosing the cause of symptoms which seem to be 'unexplained' is often difficult.
Although not life-threatening, food intolerance should never be underestimated as its impact on sufferers can be significant, sometimes affecting their ability to live normal healthy lives. The incidence of food intolerance is extremely wide and it is estimated that 45% of the population could be affected. Many people with food intolerance experience more than one symptom. Symptoms can often be vague and the root cause of the problem — food — is not always correctly diagnosed.
Essentially food intolerance is your body's abnormal reaction to certain foods which can manifest itself in a number of ways. Some people will have one symptom such as a severe headache whilst others will be unfortunate to experience irritable bowel syndrome, migraine and skin or respiratory conditions.
A common confusion generally exists whenever the words food allergy or food intolerance enter a sentence. It's important to understand the difference:
| Food Intolerance | Food Allergy |
|---|---|
| Reactions are usually delayed — symptoms may take several days to appear | Reactions usually occur quickly, within a maximum of 2 hours after exposure |
| You can be intolerant to several different food groups at the same time | Food allergy involves the body's immune system and is a reaction to a specific food |
| Sufferers can experience multiple symptoms — migraine, bloating, diarrhoea, lethargy and general unwellness | Symptoms include difficulty breathing, rashes, swelling, runny nose and anaphylactic shock — potentially life-threatening |
A classical food allergy (such as peanut or shellfish allergy) is usually characterised by an immediate and often severe reaction of the immune system. When exposed to the allergen, the body makes specific antibodies (IgE) to 'fight off' the allergens, triggering an immune response which results in the release of histamine. Food allergy is quite rare — only about 2.5% of the population is affected.
Food intolerance symptoms often appear hours or even days after eating the offending food. Many food intolerance sufferers have commented post-diagnosis that they realise they had been experiencing minor symptoms for their entire lives.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, food intolerance could be a contributing factor:
This panel tests for IgG and IgA antibodies against 96 common foods. IgG reactions are delayed (hours to days) and are associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation. IgA antibodies indicate a mucosal immune response, often linked to gut involvement. Testing both gives a more complete picture of your food reactivity.
This comprehensive panel tests for all three antibody types — IgG, IgA, and IgE — against common foods. IgE reactions are immediate (within minutes to hours) and are true food allergies. Including IgE testing helps identify both delayed intolerances and immediate allergic responses in a single test.
Your naturopath will review your results in detail and develop a personalised plan that includes:
We don't believe in permanent food avoidance unless medically necessary. The goal is to calm the immune response, heal the gut, and gradually expand your diet back to as wide a variety of foods as possible.
Testing is simple and can be done from home. Your naturopath sets up the test through Nutripath Laboratories. You'll receive a blood spot (finger prick) collection kit in the mail — no need for a blood draw at a pathology centre. Collect your sample at home, post it back using the included express envelope, and your results will be sent directly to your naturopath for interpretation.
Book a consultation to discuss food intolerance testing and develop a personalised plan.
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