Diagnostechs’ Food Panel measures antibodies to 4 of the most common food allergens through saliva, providing information which can help guide appropriate treatment throughout your diet.
A food reaction is an abnormal response in the gastrointestinal (GI) system that can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, like lactose intolerance, there may be too little of a particular enzyme to digest a food correctly. In other cases, the immune system creates antibodies to proteins in foods. When a food reaction involves the immune system in this way, it is called a food allergy or food sensitivity.
When the immune system reacts to a food, it can lead to inflammation and irritation in the intestine each time the particular food is consumed. Food allergies and sensitivities can range in severity from immediate, sometimes life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) to milder symptoms such as gas and bloating.
Many food sensitivities produce minimal symptoms, yet if untreated, the long-term consequences can be serious and may involve the development of conditions in many different organ systems. The Diagnos-Techs Food Panel tests your saliva for antibodies to four of the most common food allergens.
Tests Included in the Food Panel:
The Food Panel (FP) measures antibodies (salivary IgA or sIgA) to some of the most common food allergens – gluten (gliadin), milk (casein), egg (ovalbumin), and soy (protein). It also includes a measurement of the total salivary sIgA to provide context for interpreting the food specific sIgA results.
- Milk (casein) antibody, sIgA
- Soy (protein) antibody, sIgA
- Egg (ovalbumin) antibody, sIgA
- Gluten (gliadin) antibody, sIgA
- Total salivary sIgA
Why consider using our Food Panel?
The prevalence of food allergy, sensitivity, and related complaints in the general population is significant. Many food sensitivities are clinically silent, but their long-term effects may be serious. Food allergies left untreated are associated with the conditions listed below. Being aware of your own food sensitivities may help prevent these conditions.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Liver and bile duct disorders, type I diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), celiac disease
- Cancer: Lymphoma, gastrointestinal cancer
- Thyroid Conditions: Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism
- Decreased Bone Mineral Density: Osteopenia, osteoporosis
- Reproductive System Dysfunctions: Impotence, infertility (males and females), menstrual irregularities
- Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: Migraines, insomnia, anxiety, depression, postural imbalance, nerve tingling, numbness
The Food Panel can be helpful for people experiencing:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Food Allergies and Sensitivities:
- Diarrhea or soft stools
- Constipation
- Gas and bloating
- Gastroesophageal reflux or GERD
- Mouth ulcers
Non-Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Food Allergies and Sensitivies:
- Skin: Hives, dermatitis (rash), eczema, edema (swelling)
- Joints: Pain and inflammation
- Respiratory: Runny nose, asthma, nasal congestion, inflamed sinuses
- Brain: Headache, migraine, sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety, depression
- Nerves: Nerve tingling, numbness
- Immune: Decreased immune function, frequent or chronic infections
- Blood: Anemia, issues with blood clotting
- Fatigue: Decreased energy due to anemia or poor absorption of nutrients
Adverse Food Reactions:
Adverse food reactions may occur due to a variety of reasons. In general, these reactions are subdivided into immune and non-immune reactions.
Examples of non-immune type food reactions include:
- Enzyme deficiencies (e.g. lactose intolerance)
- Structural abnormalities (e.g. pyloric stenosis)
- Other conditions (e.g. gallbladder disease, pancreatitis)
- Immune-based reactions to food, or food allergies, can be classified as IgE-mediated (classic allergy) and non or mixed IgE-mediated immune reactions. Non IgE-mediated food reactions are commonly referred to as food sensitivities.
Symptoms of food allergy and sensitivity may not be exclusive to the gastrointestinal system and may involve:
- Skin: hives, dermatitis, eczema
- Musculoskeletal: joint pain and inflammation
- Respiratory: sinusitis, asthma, Heiner syndrome
- Neurologic: headache, migraine, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depression
- Immune: decreased immune function
- Hematologic: anemia, blood clotting abnormalities
- General: fatigue, weight loss
If left untreated, food allergies and sensitivities can progress to more severe pathologies.
Common Misconceptions:
Food allergies are conditions of childhood. In truth, food allergies and sensitivities can be present at any age, and in some instances may be lifelong.
Food allergies are only present in symptomatic patients. In truth, food allergies and sensitivities can be silent in many individuals. The absence of symptoms, however, does not mean that inflammation and damage are not occurring.
Food allergies are simply intestinal irritations. In truth, food allergies and sensitivities cause immune reactions and may contribute to a wide range of symptoms that do not involve the intestine. It is even possible for some patients to experience only symptoms outside of the GI system.