Find Food Sensitivity Doctors near you

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FAQs:

What is Food Sensitivity?

Food sensitivity, also called food intolerance, occurs when you have trouble digesting certain foods. Food intolerance can be uncomfortable, but it typically isn't life-threatening. You may be able to eat small amounts of the food you’re sensitive to. However, it's important not to miss out on nutrients if you're cutting down or eliminating foods. If the food contains key nutrients, ask your provider how to adjust your diet.

What is Food Allergy?

Food allergy is an immune system reaction that happens soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as hives, swollen airways, and digestive problems. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Food allergy is an immune system reaction that happens soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as hives, swollen airways, and digestive problems. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

What’s the Difference Between Food Intolerance and Food Allergies?

Food intolerance, or food sensitivity, is not the same thing as having a food allergy. The key difference between food intolerance and food allergies lies in how the body reacts to certain foods. Here is a breakdown of their differences.

A. Food Intolerance:

- Affects your digestive system.

- Occurs when your digestive system can’t break down certain foods.

- Causes symptoms like an upset stomach that aren’t life-threatening.

- Brings on symptoms within a few hours after eating as the food makes its way through the digestive tract.

- May not cause symptoms if you eat just a small amount of food.

B. Food Allergy:

- Affects the immune system.

- Occurs when your immune system mistakes a protein or other ingredient in food as a threat. - Your immune system releases antibodies (proteins) called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight the threat.

- Causes an allergic reaction, such as hives and swelling, shortness of breath, or wheezing.

- Brings on symptoms within minutes of consuming even a small amount of an allergy-inducing food.

- May cause a severe, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Without an epinephrine treatment, this reaction can be fatal.

How to Tell If You Have Food Sensitivity?

If you notice certain symptoms regularly and do not know what other factors may be causing them, you might have a food sensitivity. Since food sensitivity symptoms can wait to show up until a few days after consumption, it can be especially challenging and time-consuming to identify which foods might be causing your symptoms. That’s why for many, food sensitivities go largely unrecognized or misdiagnosed.

Can You Fix Food Sensitivity?

There is no treatment or cure for food intolerance, however, there are strategies that may help with symptom relief. An elimination diet is considered the gold standard in identifying foods that are causing a problem. Undertaking this diet and then avoiding foods identified as troublesome may help with symptoms. Over-the-counter remedies are available to treat symptoms like diarrhea or indigestion that may occur due to food intolerance.

What are the Types of Adverse Reactions to Foods?

Food allergies are different from food intolerances. Adverse reactions to foods can be categorized based on their underlying cause. Food intolerances include:

1. Metabolic conditions such as lactose intolerance (caused by a lack of lactase enzyme) and carbohydrate malabsorption (where the body doesn’t absorb certain sugars properly).

2. Chemical sensitivity (also known as pharmacologic reactions) to chemicals in foods like caffeine, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and other naturally occurring food chemicals like salicylates and amines.

3. Toxic reactions such as food poisoning and scombroid fish toxin.

4. Adverse reactions to artificial preservatives such as sulfites (often used in dried fruits) and benzoates (often used in soft drinks) have been shown to cause symptoms. These preservatives have also been reported as triggers for asthma and anaphylaxis.

Are Food Sensitivity Tests Reliable?

In short, no. There’s limited evidence to support using a food sensitivity test at home. Many of these tests measure your body’s immune response to a variety of foods by testing the levels of certain antibodies in your blood, such as IgG and IgG4, after you’re exposed to various food antigens.

Yet 2018 research suggests that the presence of these antibodies may not be an accurate or reliable marker of food sensitivity, especially because many other antibodies and cell-mediated reactions may also be involved in food sensitivities. What’s more, many of the studies that companies cite to support using these tests are outdated or have been published in journals that aren’t considered reputable.

Some tests claim to help you understand how your body may respond to certain foods based on factors such as your genetic background. However, the research is limited surrounding genetic testing and food allergies and sensitivities.

Multiple organizations, including the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), have advised against using these tests to diagnose food sensitivities. Notably, food sensitivity tests aren’t a replacement for a personalized care plan from a doctor or registered dietitian.

How Much Does a Food Sensitivity Test Cost?

A food sensitivity test typically costs around $300. However, the price can vary depending on the specific type of test. Some tests may be more affordable, while others with advanced analysis can be more expensive. Factors such as the testing method and provider also influence the cost. It's best to compare options to find the right test for your needs and budget.

Most Common Types of Food Intolerance

Food intolerances occur when the body has difficulty digesting certain foods, often due to enzyme deficiencies, chemical sensitivities, or reactions to food additives. Unlike food allergies, they do not involve the immune system. Common food sensitivities include:

1. Lactose: People who are lactose intolerant don’t make enough lactase enzymes to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This food intolerance is the most common.

2. Histamine: Histamines are naturally occurring chemicals in foods like cheese, pineapples, bananas, avocados, and chocolate. Red wine and some white wines also have histamines. People who are histamine intolerant don’t make enough diamine oxidase enzyme to break down this chemical.

3. Gluten: Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten sensitivity isn’t the same as having celiac disease, a type of autoimmune disease. When you have celiac disease, gluten damages the small intestines. If you have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, your body has a harder time digesting gluten.

Food Intolerance Symptoms

Symptoms caused by food intolerance can be immediate, they may also take 12 to 24 hours to develop. Food intolerance reactions are usually related to the amount of food consumed. They may not occur until a certain amount (threshold level) of the food is eaten, but this amount varies for each person.

Symptoms of food intolerance can include:

- nervousness

- tremor

- sweating

- palpitations

- rapid breathing

- headache, migraine

- diarrhoea

- burning sensations on the skin

- tightness across the face and chest

- breathing problems – asthma-like symptoms

- allergy-like reactions.

What Causes Food Sensitivities?

Food sensitivities occur when the body reacts negatively to certain foods, leading to digestive discomfort, inflammation, or other symptoms. Unlike food allergies, they do not involve a full immune system response. The foods that tend to cause intolerance reactions in sensitive people include:

- dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt

- chocolate

- eggs, particularly egg white

- flavor enhancers such as MSG (monosodium glutamate 621)

- food additives

- strawberries, citrus fruits, and tomatoes

- wine, particularly red wine

- histamine and other amines in some foods.

Natural Substances in Foods that Cause Food Intolerances

Foods contain proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nutrients, and many natural chemicals. Some naturally occurring substances add flavor and smell to food, but they can trigger symptoms in some people:

1. Lactose is a sugar found in cow’s milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance is an enzyme deficiency where people don’t have enough lactase enzyme to break down lactose in their diet. These people can get bloating, gas/flatulence, stomach upset, and diarrhea after having dairy products. Lactose intolerance is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

2. Monosodium glutamate (MSG, additive numbers 621-625) is added to some foods to enhance flavor. Glutamates also occur naturally in foods such as camembert cheese, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, soy sauce, and mushrooms. MSG can cause a range of symptoms.

3. Vasoactive amines include tyramine, serotonin, and histamine. They are naturally found in pineapples, bananas, baked meat, vegetables, red wine, wood-matured white wine, avocados, chocolate, citrus fruits, and mature cheese. Amines can cause small blood vessels to expand, and they can trigger flushing, migraines, and nasal congestion in some people.

4. Salicylates are natural aspirin-like compounds that are found in many herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables. Reactions to salicylates maybe even more common than reactions to artificial colours and preservatives. Salicylates can worsen hives in some people.

5. Toxins can cause severe symptoms. When food spoils, it can become contaminated with bacteria or other micro-organisms (germs) which produce toxins. When people eat foods with high enough levels of these, they can get food poisoning. For example, if some types of fish are stored poorly, bacteria in the fish convert histidine to histamine. This can cause allergy-like symptoms in people who eat spoiled fish.

6. Irritants such as caffeine and curry can trigger indigestion in some people. Reactions to these irritants are not due to allergy.

How to Test for Food Sensitivity

A food sensitivity testing doctor might use one or more of the following approaches to see what is causing your symptoms:

1. Detailed medical history: Your provider will ask you a series of questions. These will include questions about what your child eats and drinks and how long after eating or drinking symptoms occur. This will help your doctor determine if food insensitivity is the cause of your problem.

2. Diagnostic tests: Testing for food sensitivities might include food allergy testing, blood tests, upper endoscopy, or colonoscopy.

3. Elimination diet: You should stop eating possible problem foods. Then, they are added back into your diet one by one to find out which ones are causing reactions.

4. Percutaneous skin testing: Doctors place a small amount of the allergen on your skin and then prick the skin so that the substance seeps under the surface.

5. Patch testing: Doctors place a small amount of the suspected allergen directly on your skin.

6. Breath testing: A test that involves drinking a liquid and periodically blowing it into a device to help your clinician diagnose lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Tips on How to Live with Food Sensitivity

There isn’t a cure for food sensitivity. The good news is that by reducing your consumption or eliminating the identified trigger food, you can reduce or eliminate your symptoms. Here are a few tips to help you steer clear of those trigger foods and feel your best.

1. Educate yourself. Learn about the ingredients in the foods you eat. It’s not uncommon for eggs, wheat, cow's milk, and other reactionary foods to be called by other names. If you have wheat sensitivity, peanut sensitivity, or sensitivity to tree nuts, keep in mind that these ingredients are often found in many processed foods.

2. Educate others. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, it may be a good idea to tell anyone preparing your meals about your food sensitivities. That includes family, friends, and waiters. At restaurants, it’s always smart to speak up about your sensitivities since many times, these everyday ingredients can pop up on your plate without your knowledge, and navigating the menu can be confusing.

3. Stock the pantry. For those who suffer from sensitivities to common foods (like gluten), it’s important to stock your pantry with safe foods and appropriate substitutes to keep you on track and reduce cravings.

4. Pay attention to labels. Manufacturers can change the ingredients of their products without notice, so double-check ingredient labels every time you buy a food, even if it is something you buy over and over.

How to Find a Food Sensitivity Test Doctor Near Me

Finding a qualified food sensitivity testing doctor involves several key steps to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Here's a guide to assist you in your search:​

1. Seek Recommendations and Referrals: Begin by asking your primary care physician for referrals to reputable allergists or immunologists. Additionally, consult friends, family, or colleagues who have undergone similar evaluations for their recommendations.​

2. Verify Board Certification: Ensure that the doctor is board-certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI). This certification indicates that the physician has met rigorous standards and possesses the necessary expertise in allergy and immunology.​

3. Assess Experience with Food Sensitivities: It's important to choose a doctor who has substantial experience specifically in diagnosing and treating food sensitivities, as this area requires specialized knowledge.​

4. Check Insurance Coverage: Before scheduling an appointment, confirm that the doctor accepts your health insurance to avoid unexpected expenses.​

5. Evaluate Communication Style: Opt for a doctor who listens attentively to your concerns, explains medical concepts clearly, and involves you in the decision-making process regarding your care.​

By following these steps, you can identify a food-sensitivity doctor near you who is well-qualified to address your specific health needs.

Sources:

Sofia Health

CVS

Better Health

ASCIA

Cleveland Clinic

Rush

Mayo Clinic

Healthline

Maple

Everlywell

Very Well Health

Oak Brook Allergists

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.