WHAT IS A FOOD ALLERGY

 

A food allergy is an immune reaction to food proteins where our immune system creates an immunoglobulin (antibodies) in response to a food protein identifying it as an allergen, these antibodies will then mediate an inflammatory process as part of the body’s natural defence mechanisms.

 

There are several types of food allergies including IgE a Type 1 (immediate), Type IgG III (Delayed response), it is suggested in the literature that between 25-45% will experience the latter - Type III delayed hypersensitivity food response, whereas approximately 2.5% of the population experience severe life-threatening immediate type 1 response.

 

WHY?

Many factors can contribute to allergies and sensitivities including an unbalanced diet, stress, genetic predisposition, infections (Such as parasites or food poisoning) and environmental pollutants potentially contribute to the development of allergies and sensitivity.

 

When IgG antibodies are present they are classed as a delayed food-hypersensitivity and can take several hours or days to occur and in some literature, it is suggested that they are present in 25-45% of the population. 

 

Constant exposure to the allergen can result in a build-up of antibodies resulting in chronic systemic inflammation with systems ranging from skin complaints to obesity.

 

Naturally for you Health and Wellness have been using ELISA food allergy testing for over 4 years now to help patients identify possible food items that are causing a response resulting in a variety of different ways. 

 

We can offer a variety of testing options including IgG, IgA & IgE, however, in most cases we would be suggesting an IgE and sometimes with the inclusion of an IgA panel.  These panels include a variety of 96 foods including Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, Nuts, Legumes and Fish

 

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