What is Food Intolerance Testing? A Naturopathic approach to health in Kirkland
What is Food Intolerance Testing (FIT)?
Food intolerance testing is a Naturopathic medicine method that detects foods and food combinations your body is unable to properly digest. Removing your food intolerance will enable your body’s innate healing mechanisms to help you heal your chronic symptoms naturally.
You may have heard about other forms of testing for food allergies and sensitivities, which are commonly run by allergists, immunologists, and even some Naturopathic doctors. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are each a distinct method of testing. Allergies and sensitivities are very different from an intolerance.
What is the different between food allergy, food sensitivity, and food intolerance?
Food allergy testing looks at your immune reaction called IgE. This is known as a “classic” allergy that happens within minutes of an exposure and can cause anaphylaxis (throat closure), hives, swelling, heat, redness and itching.
Food sensitivity testing looks at your immune system reaction called IgG. An IgG immune response can take days to develop, and can be linked to symptoms like digestive upset, skin rashes, fatigue, and many more.
Food intolerance is different from an allergy or sensitivity. Instead of testing for an immune reaction, food intolerance testing is detecting whether or not your body is able to fully digest a food.
What happens if I eat my food intolerance?
When you eat a food that you cannot fully digest, the undigested food causes inflammation within your intestines. Your digestive tract contains the majority of your immune system, which is connected to the rest of your body. That localized inflammation then impacts all body systems.
The inflammation caused by eating your food intolerance can set the stage for the development of food allergies and sensitivities, along with a wide range of chronic health conditions.
Once you remove your food intolerance from your regular diet, your digestive system is able to repair the damage and decrease the inflammation. Your toxic load decreases, and your body is able to function more optimally. Many people experience improvement in ongoing physical and mental symptoms as well as resolution of their previous allergies and sensitivities over time.
How is food intolerance testing performed?
Unlike other food testing which requires multiple vials of blood, Food intolerance testing is less invasive. A single drop of blood is collected during your office visit through a finger poke to run the analysis.
What happens after I get my food intolerance results?
Your results will reveal which foods and/or food combinations your body is unable to fully digest. For optimal health and recovery from chronic conditions, you will be advised to completely avoid those foods. Dr. Savannah will offer guidance on how to go about properly eliminating the food from your diet.
What are the benefits of food intolerance testing?
Any health condition that involves chronic inflammation will benefit from removing a food intolerance. Conditions such as hormonal imbalance, chronic digestive issues, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many others can improve upon eliminating the foods you are intolerant to. However, this testing and treatment is not necessarily the right fit for every patient. Individuals with eating disorders should consult the health providers who are supporting their recovery before pursuing food intolerance testing.
Is food intolerance testing covered by insurance?
Insurance does not cover this method of testing. The cost is $125 out of pocket.
How can I get started with food intolerance testing?
Dr. Savannah recommends food intolerance testing to most new patients who come in for a visit at her Totem Lake office. If you'd like to establish care to receive food intolerance testing along with other Naturopathic medicine recommendations for improving your baseline of health, click the button below to get started.
Food intolerance testing and treatment in Kirkland
If you’re experiencing ongoing health issues or want to improve your overall health, food intolerance testing could help you to move toward your goals. Contact our clinic today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Savannah Bukant is a Naturopathic doctor servicing Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Bellevue, Kenmore, Woodinville, Cottage Lake, and surrounding areas.