Understanding Allergy Tests: Acute vs. Chronic Allergies
Hello everyone, today we're discussing allergy tests, specifically focusing on how to interpret their results and avoid potential pitfalls. Allergy testing is common in hospitals and functional medicine settings, but it's crucial to understand the science behind the tests and how to properly interpret the results. Misinterpreting these tests can lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions and anxiety.
The Problem with Misinterpreting Allergy Tests
Many people like or hate allergy tests because they can be misleading. Often, manufacturers' reports, especially for chronic allergies, flag foods as problematic based on elevated IgG levels. This can lead to individuals eliminating many foods (eggs, milk, wheat, soybeans, etc.) from their diet, causing anxiety and potential nutritional deficiencies. It’s important to be informed to avoid being misled.
Acute vs. Chronic Allergies: IgE vs. IgG
Allergic reactions aren't all the same. We can broadly categorize them into acute and chronic allergies.
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Acute Allergies (IgE): IgE is an antibody linked to allergic reactions. When someone is allergic to a substance, their body produces more IgE. When the allergen enters the body and binds with IgE, it triggers the release of substances that cause acute allergic reactions. Common symptoms include swollen lips, bronchitis, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis. IgE testing is considered a reliable indicator of acute allergies in the medical field.
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Chronic Allergies (IgG): IgG testing is often used in functional medicine to identify chronic food allergies. However, it's controversial because simply having IgG antibodies to a food doesn't necessarily mean you're allergic. It often signifies that you've been exposed to that food and your body has developed some level of tolerance or immunity.
The Controversy of IgG Testing
A high IgG value for a particular food simply means you've been in contact with it. For example, people who regularly consume eggs or soy products will likely test positive for IgG antibodies to those foods. It doesn't automatically indicate an allergy. However, many chronic allergy reports misinterpret elevated IgG levels, leading to unnecessary dietary restrictions for six months or more, which can result in malnutrition.
The Fundamental Problem with IgG Detection
High IgG levels might actually indicate good tolerance to a particular food. The immune system recognizes frequent exposure to a substance and develops a tolerance if it isn't harmful. Therefore, using IgG as an indicator of allergy is not always accurate.
Why People Feel Better After Eliminating "Allergenic" Foods
Some individuals claim they feel better after eliminating foods identified by chronic allergy tests. A significant reason for this improvement is that by avoiding these “allergenic” foods, they inadvertently eliminate highly processed foods. Since milk, eggs and wheat are commonly found in processed foods like cookies, breads and cakes, restricting those can reduce the intake of sugar and processed ingredients, resulting in an overall health benefit.
The Connection Between Skin Allergies and Processed Foods
Similarly, improvements in skin conditions after eliminating certain foods might not be due to a specific food allergy, but rather due to avoiding processed foods commonly linked to skin problems. Many processed desserts, breads, and cakes contribute to skin issues.
Recommended Allergy Testing Methods
For suspected acute allergic reactions, IgE tests or skin prick tests are recommended. These tests involve introducing potential allergens to the skin and observing for reactions. This approach is suitable for individuals experiencing immediate symptoms like redness, swelling, stomach discomfort after eating certain foods, a history of quick-onset allergies, or children with severe allergic skin conditions where a trigger food is suspected.
Conclusion and Practical Advice
Allergy testing isn't inherently bad, but proper interpretation is crucial. If you're concerned about allergies, focus on IgE testing for acute reactions. While IgG tests can show food exposures, they don't necessarily confirm allergies. The key takeaway is to prioritize a diet free from super-processed foods and refined sugars. This can improve many common symptoms like inflammation, weight gain, dry skin, and itchiness, often without needing expensive chronic allergy clinics.
Key Points to Remember:
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Distinguish between IgE (acute) and IgG (exposure) tests.
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High IgG doesn't automatically equal allergy.
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Eliminating processed foods often yields health benefits regardless of allergy status.
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Consult a professional doctor to assist and help judge your report, instead of seeing the report and saying, wow, this is allergic, this is allergic, this can't be eaten, this can't be eaten.
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Focus on a whole-foods diet, minimizing processed items and refined sugar.