20 May What Is The Best Way To Test For Food Sensitivity At Home?
Whether it be online or while watching TV, odds are decent you’ve seen an ad for food sensitivity testing at some point recently. It stands to reason, as food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities have become increasingly commonplace throughout the world. Are you on the search for a food sensitivity test without having to leave home for your local clinic? This guide provides the lowdown on your testing options at home.
What is food sensitivity testing?
Have you often found yourself encountering headaches, skin rash and/or itching, abdominal pain, sinus issues or bloating, especially after mealtime? There is a good chance the issue was stemming from something you ate, as these are all symptoms of food sensitivity.
It was once believed the only way to forego those symptoms was to try an elimination diet designed to pinpoint the specific foods responsible. This type of testing is still used today; however, advances in testing technology means we now have a plethora of food sensitivity testing options. These tests greatly simplify the time-consuming process of singling out and excluding individual ingredients or foods.
What are the benefits of food sensitivity testing?
Food sensitivities are on the ascent throughout the world, with millions in the US alone with at least one food allergy and significantly more dealing with a food sensitivity. Many of us have started to notice how specific foods and substances have an effect on how they feel, how some seem to cause digestive trouble or even issues with their skin.
Trying to decipher and single out which specific food or substance is the contributing culprit isn’t always a simple process because food sensitivity reactions symptoms may not occur for several hours or more.
New testing technologies have recently made it easy to classify the foods and substances that can have an adverse effect on our lives. In order to determine the specific foods that are the cause of the issue, many medical professionals have recommended food sensitivity tests.
How do you know if you need food sensitivity testing?
We’ve seen and heard a good deal about both, but zeroing in on what classifies as a food allergy or food sensitivity can be harder than you might think, which can easily lead to confusion. To get started, let’s take a moment to recognize the differences between food allergies, sensitivity, and intolerance.
- ‘Food sensitivity’ is a phrase often used in conversation but doesn’t technically have a solid medical definition. Contemporary research has associated the development of food sensitivities to an imbalance in gut microbial community, which can lead to reactions such as abdominal pain including bloating, diarrhea, skin rash, fatigue and lack of focus or clarity. The term may also be used interchangeably with ‘food intolerance’.
- A food intolerance is defined as having difficulty digesting certain foods, typically dairy products, broccoli, cauliflower or food additives. Although food intolerances do not affect the immune system, they can cause digestive symptoms shortly after eating, which include vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and bloating. Food intolerances are believed to be caused by a lack of digestive enzymes necessary to absorb certain foods.
- Food allergies, on the other hand, occur when you’ve ingested a food you are allergic to, and your immune system perceives the allergen as an intruder or threat. This results in the immune system mounting a defense by releasing a deluge of signaling molecules producing symptoms ranging from swelling and hives to severe breathing issues. Food allergies can (but don’t always) produce effects within minutes.
DIY test kits vs mobile food sensitivity testing
Food sensitivity test kits have exploded in popularity in recent years, specifically testing options you can take from the comfort of your own home. A quick stroll through your pharmacy or brief online search will reveal a myriad of food sensitivity testing options conducted at home, but how do you know which one is right for you? The results of this test could greatly impact your lifestyle and the peace of mind that comes with accuracy can be priceless. Our team has gathered the relevant information to hopefully help you find the right fit for your needs.
DIY test kits
DIY food sensitivity home test kits are available over the counter at most pharmacies or can be purchased online. These convenient tests collect a small sample of saliva, hair or blood in order to determine which foods are responsible for your reaction. Here are a few things to bear in mind when looking over DIY testing options:
At-home DIY test kits offer the ability to test a wide range of foods from a single sample which circumvents the need to purchase more than one test kit. Also, many food sensitivity test kits can be procured directly by consumers without needing to collaborate with a healthcare provider.
Although DIY tests do offer high accuracy rates, none of them can be 100% accurate. Something else to look for is that not all of these DIY tests are covered by your healthcare provider, which can definitely have a notable effect on price for those who may be more budget minded.
Mobile food sensitivity testing
Utilizing a modern and confidential approach, mobile food sensitivity testing delivers the necessary medical accuracy to testing right to you, at home. A registered nurse will come to your home to administer your test, looking to single out possible food sensitivities which prompt inflammation and can induce symptoms of pain and discomfort.
After the completion of the testing process your nurse will have your sample sent to a lab to be tested. After lab testing has commenced and your test has been returned your nurse will give you a call to interpret your test and offer consultation regarding your results.
Last words
Although ‘food sensitivity’ may not have a concrete medical definition, anyone that’s lived with digestive issues, heartburn, nausea or skin rashes will acknowledge that finding the source of the problem immensely increases the quality of life. After exploring options available for testing at home, we believe that Mobile Food Sensitivity Testing performed by a trained medical expert is the most complete and comprehensive option available today and your best bet for a healthy life free of digestive troubles.
Get your at Home Food Sensitivity Test with Concierge MD
Learn which foods your body doesn’t tolerate with a convenient in-home food sensitivity test. One of our medical experts comes to your location to collect samples for lab testing. Once your results are in, we will help you understand your results and recommend the next steps.
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