Food Intolerance Test

Have you ever heard of the Food Intolerance Test before? When does a doctor request it, and what does it reveal? Continue reading to learn more.

What is the Food Intolerance Test?

The Food Intolerance Test is an analysis used to identify foods that the body can’t tolerate well.

Food intolerance is a condition where a person has difficulty digesting certain foods or components of foods properly, often due to a lack of specific enzymes. This can lead to various symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rashes, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and a runny nose, appearing hours after consuming the food or ingredient.

It's important to note that food intolerance is different from food allergies, although the symptoms of both conditions can be similar. Below are some key differences:

How is this Test Conducted?

This analysis is quite complex because individuals often do not have intolerance to just one type of food but to several. Hence, multiple tests are conducted together. Here are some of the main tests used:

1. Elimination Diet

Food intolerance can be diagnosed using a specially designed elimination diet to narrow down suspected foods. Foods believed to cause symptoms are removed from the diet and then reintroduced one by one while monitoring for symptoms. 

Typically, the diet lasts 5-6 weeks. In the first 2-3 weeks, suspected foods such as nuts, corn, soy, dairy products, citrus fruits, wheat, gluten, eggs, seafood, etc., are eliminated. Afterward, each food group is reintroduced individually over 2-3 days, and symptoms are monitored. 

If symptoms appear upon reintroducing a food group, it is identified as a trigger, while groups that do not cause symptoms are considered safe.

2. Blood Tests

Immunological blood tests, which measure levels of immune antibodies such as immunoglobulin G, are another type of Food Intolerance Test a doctor might request. Elevated levels of these antibodies after exposure to a specific food indicate an intolerance to that food. 

Blazma offers a Food Intolerance Test, which does not require any specific preparation.

3. Hydrogen Breath Test

This test can detect lactose intolerance, one of the most common types of food intolerances. During the test, the person drinks a liquid containing lactose and then breathes into a container resembling a balloon every 30 minutes for several hours. If the person is lactose intolerant, hydrogen levels in their breath will rise due to undigested lactose.

4. Pulse Test

The doctor measures the pulse, then asks the person to eat the suspected food and measures the pulse again after 15 minutes. An increase of 10 beats per minute may indicate food intolerance.

The Food Intolerance Test helps identify specific foods that individuals cannot tolerate, allowing for better management of symptoms and overall health. However, it is important to remember that not all types of food intolerance have available tests, such as histamine or gluten intolerance.

The most common food intolerances

Here are some examples of foods that commonly cause food intolerance:(2)(6)

• Gluten: found in pasta, bread.
• Histamine: found in avocados, smoked fish, dried fruits, fermented foods, sour foods, alcoholic beverages.
• Caffeine: found in coffee, tea, some soft drinks.
• Salicylates: found in some fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices (avocado, cabbage, oranges, raisins).
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG): found in processed meats, salty foods, ripe fruits.