Could you be allergic to these everyday things?
I Took An At-Home Food Sensitivity Test To Help My Gut Issues. Here's How It Went
A cruel irony to being a food and travel writer is that I often suffer from stomach problems. My IBS (previously a colitis diagnosis) can turn any grand tasting into a terror with cramping, bloating, and, well, I'll spare you the more graphic details.
Though I've never tested positive for major food allergies or intolerances including gluten (a common culprit) or dairy, I've always wondered if I had any sensitivities that I was unaware of, especially as someone who eats everything and anything at any given moment.
Joey Skladany/CNETEnter Everlywell: The $199 at-home food sensitivity kit measures your body's immune response to 96 common foods.
"At-home lab testing for IgG (short for the responsive antibodies called immunoglobulin G) reactivity can be a great way for those with relatively mild, food-related symptoms to start their journey to feeling better," says Dr. Gabe Gaviola, MD, MPH, senior medical director at Everlywell.
"Traditional temporary elimination diets are highly restrictive and can provide massive disruptions to someone's normal dietary routine. By identifying the most likely candidates for problem foods, the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test helps take the guesswork and dietary disruption out of a traditional elimination diet."
While there are mixed opinions on using IgG levels as a marker for food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities, curiosity got the best of me (as it usually does) and I decided to order the test and assume the role of guinea pig.
Here's how it all went down.
Note: As with any health condition, please always seek the guidance of a licensed medical professional for proper diagnoses.
How the Food Sensitivity Test Works Joey Skladany/CNET"The Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test was developed using an immunoassay platform, which selects certain food isolates," explains Gaviola. "The test measures someone's IgG antibody response to these foods. IgG is an antibody that is separate from conditions such as food intolerances or food allergies."
"Research suggests that for some individuals, higher IgG immune responses to specific foods may mean those foods are more likely to cause uncomfortable GI symptoms, including nausea, bloating, GI upset, and abdominal pain," he adds.
While more evidence is needed on IgG to make sweeping generalizations about its relationship to food sensitivities, Everylwell believes that they can provide a base level understanding of why people's guts react the way that they do. This isn't meant to be a diagnosis, by any means, but rather something to consider as you identify potential gastrointestinal triggers.
My Unique Stomach Issues Wilted greens are murder on my stomach. HUIZENG HU/Getty ImagesAside from overly rich foods, wilted greens, and wine consumed in excess, there aren't many ingredients that bring on immediate bouts of indigestion. Most of my stomach issues, according to my gastroenterologist, are either hereditary (my grandmother has severe colitis) or anxiety-induced.
That said, there are two fruits that often cause physical reactions while eating: apples and avocados. The former makes my lips tingle and swell up, which may be more of a pesticide on skin problem, and the latter makes me instantly nauseated when consumed as slices on sandwiches or chunks in a salad. Oddly enough, guacamole has zero effect on me.
The Food Sensitivity Test Process Everything you need to test food sensitivity at home. Joey Skladany/CNETWhile nobody enjoys pricking their fingers to draw droplets of blood, the testing process could not have been more straightforward and simple.
Each kit comes with instructions and the instruments needed to execute the test. This includes a collection card, alcohol prep pad, lancets, biohazard bag, gauze, bandage, return envelope and a return label.
An abbreviated sequence of events:Results typically take about a week or two and can be accessed online (where you'll register your unique kit ID upon receiving it).
Here's what the test results said I eat chicken as much as anything and it never seems to upset my stomach, despite Everywell's analysis. Kseniya Ovchinnikova/GettyLuckily for me, nothing came back higher than mild reactivity. And out of the 98 foods tested, I only had elevated IgG levels for eight: black tea, chicken, chickpea, eggplant, garlic, grape leaf, pomegranate and sunflower seed.
These results were equal parts surprising and hilarious -- surprising because I have never noticed a GI reaction to any of them and hilarious because I received these results while on vacation in, wait for it, Greece! Needless to say, I was eating a *lot* of literally every ingredient that may have been causing digestive distress.
Oddly, there was no indication that the aforementioned apple or avocado would lead to any type of immune response. I can't assume that they don't negatively affect my body, but I would have guessed that they'd be at the top of the results document.
What to do after results An elimination diet will help determine if the foods isolated are indeed a cause of GI distress. David Watsky/CNETAside from providing article resources and answers to nearly a dozen common questions, Everlywell suggests five next steps to continue your stomach health journey:
Remember, the Food Sensitivity Test does *not* test for food allergies and should not be used for this purpose.
"The results from the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test are not diagnostic and are only meant to help identify top foods for someone to prioritize in a temporary elimination diet," adds Gaviola.
Food sensitivity test accuracy The food test instructions were crystal clear, but the results didn't align with my history of distress. Joey Skladany/CNETAs research appears to be conflicting, Gaviola is the first to remind customers that, again, any type of food allergy can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
"The tests measure totally different biomarkers and only a healthcare provider or allergy specialist is able to diagnose a food allergy, " he stresses. "Everlywell also recommends against any allergic reaction food trials that do not take place under the observation and direction of an allergy specialist."
Additionally, while testing companies like Everlywell operate in accordance with clinical guidelines and CLIA-certified laboratories, they are the first to advise speaking with a licensed healthcare provider.
Final thoughtsWhile I'm certainly not planning to eliminate chicken and hummus from my diet and don't have any evidence to support those foods being an issue for my stomach, the test did give me something to think about. In fact, I plan to use some upcoming travel downtime to eliminate these foods temporarily and see if they make a difference. It can't hurt, right? And at the very least, it certainly won't hurt as much as a debilitating stomach cramp.
Why The World Is Becoming More Allergic To Food
Around the world, children are far more likely than ever before to develop food allergies.
The rise in allergies in recent decades has been particularly noticeable in the West. Food allergy now affects about 7% of children in the UK and 9% of those in Australia, for example. Across Europe, 2% of adults have food allergies.
Life-threatening reactions can be prompted even by traces of the trigger foods, meaning patients and families live with fear and anxiety. The dietary restrictions which follow can become a burden to social and family lives.
While we can't say for sure why allergy rates are increasing, researchers around the world are working hard to find ways to combat this phenomenon.
Owen Carey was celebrating his 18th birthday when he died after eating buttermilk
What causes an allergy?
An allergy is caused by the immune system fighting substances in the environment that it should see as harmless, known as allergens.
These innocent substances become targets, leading to allergic reactions.
Symptoms range from skin redness, hives and swelling to - in the most severe cases - vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock.
Some of the most common foods for children to be allergic to are:
Where are food allergies most likely to occur?
The frequency of food allergy has increased over the past 30 years, particularly in industrialised societies. Exactly how great the increase is depends on the food and where the patient lives.
A study of 1,300 three-year-olds for the EAT Study at King's College London, suggested that 2.5% now have peanut allergies.
Australia has the highest rate of confirmed food allergy. One study found 9% of Australian one-year-olds had an egg allergy, while 3% were allergic to peanuts.
The increase in allergies is not simply the effect of society becoming more aware of them and better at diagnosing them.
It is thought that allergies and increased sensitivity to foods are probably environmental, and related to Western lifestyles.
We know there are lower rates of allergies in developing countries. They are also more likely to occur in urban rather than rural areas.
Factors may include pollution, dietary changes and less exposure to microbes, which change how our immune systems respond.
Some possible explanations
There is no single explanation for why the world is becoming more allergic to food, but science has some theories.
One is that improved hygiene is to blame, as children are not getting as many infections.
Parasitic infections, in particular, are normally fought by the same mechanisms involved in tackling allergies. With fewer parasites to fight, the immune system turns against things that should be harmless.
Another idea is that vitamin D can help our immune system develop a healthy response, making us less susceptible to allergies. Most populations around the world do not get enough vitamin D for several reasons, including spending less time in the sun. In the US, the rate of vitamin D deficiency is thought to have almost doubled in just over a decade.
A newer, "dual allergen exposure" theory, suggests food allergy development is down to the balance between the timing, dose and form of exposure.
For example, the development of the allergy antibodies can take place through the skin, particularly through inflamed skin in babies with eczema.
But it is thought that eating trigger foods during weaning can lead to a healthy response and prevent the allergy developing, because the gut's immune system is prepared to tolerate bacteria and foreign substances, such as food.
This was the basis for King's College London's LEAP Study, which showed about an 80% reduction in peanut allergy in five-year-old children who regularly ate peanut from the year they were born.
Human impact
The deaths of UK teenagers suffering from food allergies highlights the human impact of this condition, and the importance of clear and accurate labelling.
There is currently no cure for food allergy, and managing the condition relies on avoiding the offending foods and on an emergency treatment plan in case of exposure.
But even making an initial diagnosis is challenging. The main way to identify food allergies is for a patient to gradually eat increased amounts of that food under medical supervision.
However, this is distressing for children, and has the risk of causing an allergic reaction. The accompanying tests of their immune systems' reaction can also give a false positive in non-allergic children.
British teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after eating a baguette containing sesame seeds
At King's College London we have developed an alternative; a blood test which has proved accurate in diagnosing peanut allergy compared with existing methods.
These tests now cover the foods responsible for 90% of children's allergies, and will hopefully be available to patients in the next couple of years.
Even following a successful diagnosis, avoiding trigger foods is difficult and accidental reactions are common.
Allergen immunotherapy - administering small amounts of the substance - has been shown to reduce the sensitivity of allergic patients and can protect against accidental exposure.
A recent immunotherapy drug trial found 67% of peanut-allergic subjects could consume the equivalent of two peanut kernels after a year, compared to 4% of the control group. Nevertheless, they are still allergic.
Other treatments are being investigated for food allergy, and are much needed.
In the meantime, allergies will remain a source of worry and part of daily life for the children and their parents.
Dr Alexandra Santos is a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the Department of Paediatric Allergy, King's College London.
This piece was first published in December 2018.
Which Allergy Test Should You Choose?
by NAOMI COLEMAN, femail.Co.Uk
The number of allergy sufferers are growing at an alarming rate in Britain.
And as they do, so too are the different methods of diagnosis.
Out of the scores of tests available on the market, finding the right one for your symptoms can be a minefield, particularly as medical opinion is bitterly divided over how accurate some tests really are.
To help you find the right test for your allergy, we've examined the main tests on the market - and asked an allergy expert to give their opinion on each one.
RAST
What is it used to diagnose? Food, skin and inhalant allergies.
What is it? A RAST (a radio-allergo-sorbent test) is a blood test carried out by your GP or a specialist allergy clinic. It looks for specific IgE antibodies - certain antibodies in our system that react to specific allergens which our immune system reacts to. These include dairy, nuts, moulds, pet hairs or chemicals. The test can diagnose hundreds of different allergies, but your doctor is likely to test for just a few suspected allergies depending on the symptoms you display and your medical history.
What's involved? A doctor will take around five millilitres of blood from a vein in your arm using a syringe. The blood is sent off to a laboratory for analysis and the results are returned to your GP.
The verdict Maureen Jenkins, an allergy consultant from the charity Allergy UK, says: 'This is a very accurate test which has been scientifically proven to work. Although a patient may not be displaying symptoms, this test can detect whether there are any specific allergens (anything that triggers a reaction) in your body.
'A good allergy specialist has a deep knowledge of allergic conditions, the symptoms displayed and how your allergy will progress through time. The interpretation of the test is just as important as the test itself which is why it is vital to visit a qualified allergy specialist.'
SKIN PRICK TESTING
What is it used to diagnose? Food, skin and inhalant allergies
What is it? This is a test which measures specific IgE antibodies in the cells of your skin. It looks for scores of food and environmental allergens such as nuts, seafood, dairy, fruit and wheat. It also tests for 'inhalant' or air allergies such as hay fever, mould spores and allergies to pets. It is one of the most common tests carried out by an allergy clinic or your GP.
What's involved? Skin prick testing
involves scratching the skin with a needle or lancet. A drop of the allergen prepared in liquid is placed on your arm. If you are allergic to the allergen, a 'weal' (blister-like swelling) will develop on your skin.
Verdict: Maureen Jenkins says: 'This test is between 90 and 100 per cent accurate. However, it is unable to predict a reaction to foods without any known symptoms.'
'The skill is in the interpretation of the results. Sometimes a person does not display symptoms, but tests positive for a certain allergy. It is therefore important that a highly qualified allergy specialist examines your symptoms, lifestyle and medical history before advising whether you should cut out certain foods.'
PATCH TESTING
What is it used to diagnose? Skin allergies.
What is it?
Patch testing is a clinically proven test which looks for skin allergies - the type of reaction involving IgE antibodies which trigger classic allergic symptoms such as swelling. This test can also detect 'contact' allergies. This type of reaction is caused by certain cosmetics or chemicals which act as an irritant on your skin and trigger itching or a rash.
What's involved? You visit a hospital or allergy clinic as an outpatient where you are tested for 'environmental' allergies. This can range from deodrant, washing powder, certain metals, shampoo, cosmetics or clothing. Each sample is placed on your back and left in place for 48 hours. After 48 hours, you return to hospital and the patches are removed and a reading is taken.
The reaction is graded according to colour and texture. This can vary from mild redness to swelling or water blisters. An 'irritant' reaction - the type of reaction triggered by cosmetics, chemicals or shampoos - develops immediately after the patch is placed on the skin and fades over the next day. An 'allergic' reaction - such as eczema - can take several hours to develop.
Verdict: Maureen Jenkins says: This is a very accurate test that is scientifically proven. However you already need to have regular symptoms so your allergy specialist has some idea of what to test for.
'This type of test can detect scores of allergies. The skill comes from the interpretation of the test which is why it is important to visit a highly qualified allergy specialist.'
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