Testing and Diagnosis For food allergies, testing through
a traditional lab with a blood draw can identify offending foods. “Skin prick” tests are frequently done at an allergist's office, small amounts of proteins from common food allergens are injected under the skin using small needles. Those foods inciting an immune reaction are easily identified by the resulting skin response.
Gluten allergies in Celiac disease can
be identified by tissue changes noted on biopsy during endoscopic procedures, or with laboratory testing for the immune cells responsible for these changes. In order to have accurate results, the patient must have eaten gluten within several weeks' time. Recently, testing for the genetic variations that code for Celiac disease has been used as well.
Testing for food sensitivities varies, and preferred methods often depend upon the practitioner and patient’s preference. A diet and symptom diary can be a wonderful tool for a physician and patient team to help un- cover which foods may be triggering issues. Typically, a journal of all foods (and bever-
ages) ingested for a full week, as well as a list of physical and emotional symptoms oc- curring during that time can help zero in on a few foods that may need to be eliminated. Some of the most common food sensitivities include dairy products, eggs, wheat, soy, and corn. Depending upon genetic varia- tions, some patients also have reactions with foods containing certain amino acids (for example, tyramine or glutamates) or or- ganic compounds (such as catechols, found in potatoes, tomatoes, and some tea).
When routine investigation of diet and symptoms fails to identify offending foods, further laboratory testing can be done. Food sensitivity panels are available using a small blood sample from the patient. These tests are typically performed by specialty labora- tory companies, and can check quantities of IgG, IgA, and IgE present against differ- ent food proteins. The benefit of these tests is that foods that may not otherwise be suspected can be flagged as a possible issue for the patient. For example, a patient with a chronic skin rash and migraines might find that mushrooms and brewer's yeast are making symptoms flare. The results of the
test can give the physician a good idea of which foods to begin eliminating in order to start a patient on their path to healing.
Hydrogen breath tests can identify lactose, sorbitol and fructose malabsorp- tion, as well as bacterial imbalances in the intestines. These are becoming more widely available at clinics and private practices.
Another option for identifying food triggers is an “elimination diet”. Generally, this is an extended period of time during which a patient completely abstains from a particular food group. The elimination pe- riod can last weeks to months. This can be challenging, as it requires absolute attention to food labels to identify hidden ingre- dients, and planning for meals becomes essential. Although difficult, the elimination diet can be incredible in its ability to help a patient and physician identify not only the offending food, but the health challenges it causes, even subtle symptoms that may have been written off as “normal aging” or “just part of life” may become more obvi- ous during these elimination periods. At the end of the elimination period, the food can be reintroduced and another food group can then be eliminated. This sequential rotation of eliminating foods allows the patient and practitioner to determine which foods are causing issues, and which are considered “safe”. Once identified, the of- fending foods can either be totally avoided or reintroduced in a pattern that allows for improved tolerance. For those patients who are unable to afford the cost of laboratory and specialty testing, this is a wonderful option.
Patients suffering from long-standing health issues, auto-immune disease, chron- ic pain and emotional symptoms should absolutely consider testing food sensitivities while working on their path to wellness. With multiple testing options available, it is not only easily accessible, but can be the key to long-term healing.
Dr. Sarah Zambarano provides integrative, individualized health care for her patients. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2011 after 14 years working as a Registered Nurse. Dr. Zambarano practices at Bodhi Naturopathic in Niantic, CT and ProNatural Physicians Group in Berlin. She can be reached at Bodhi Naturopathic at (860) 451-9650 and
www.BodhiNaturopathic.com, or at Pronatural Physicians Group at (860) 829-0707. See ad on page 7.
32 Natural Nutmeg - April 2017
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