Health & Wellness, Nutrition

FAQ’s On Food Sensitivities
Frank LipmanJune 28

What is the difference between a food reaction, food allergy and food sensitivity?

A food reaction is an umbrella term used to cover any adverse reaction to food, whether it’s immune mediated (a food allergy and sensitivity) or not. A classic food allergy usually only involves one or two foods and is easy to diagnose. Symptoms include a significant rash, swelling of the throat or throat closing up. The symptoms occur immediately, usually within 2 hours of eating. On the other hand, a food sensitivity usually involves multiple foods and can occur anywhere from two hours to two days after eating the food. Since sensitivity symptoms are non-specific, it isn’t obvious or easy to self-diagnose. The third group, non-immune reactions to food are also non-specific and hard to diagnose.

If I’m sensitive to a certain food, does that mean I’ll never be able to eat it again?

No, a food sensitivity is usually not permanent, as opposed to a food allergy which usually is. Eliminate the food for one to three months, then slowly introduce it back into your diet. If the underlying gastrointestinal dysfunction — such as Dysbiosis or Leaky Gut — is treated, chances are your food sensitivity will have improved or gone away completely.

My skin and blood tests were negative, could I still have food sensitivities?

Yes, routine blood and skin tests will detect classical food allergies only. Most people have food intolerances or sensitivities, which have different immune mechanisms and are not picked up with such tests. There are labs that test for these antibodies (IgG), and some people have food reactions that don’t product antibodies at all.

What is the best way to test for food sensitivities?

Although there are IgG food allergy tests, the easiest and I believe the best way to detect them is to do an elimination diet for 2 weeks and then re-introduce the foods again.

Question: Have you experienced sensitivity to certain types of food?
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  • Angelagwillis

    Thank you for clearing this up. Just in time for the strawberry patch in my garden to be ripe with berries, I started noticing patches on my tongue swelling. It also occurred with other highly acidic fruits, such as pineapple, limes, and lemons; but not with oranges. I've not had a past history with any food allergies or sensitivities.

    I am curious. Since you said above “gastrointestinal dysfunction — such as Dysbiosis or Leaky Gut ” is an underlying problem that can cause a symptom of food allergies, could this also be connected to gluten intolerance (or Celiac's Disease)?

  • http://www.franklipman.com franklipman

    absolutely

  • jennifromtheblock

    I used one of the online labs to see if my 3 year old daughter was sensitive to any foods. (she was having constipation, stomach aches, rashes on her legs, arms and stomach and aggresion/behavior problems). I took her to an allergist and they did a skin test and found she was allergic to dogs and no food. Then the lab told us she is sensitive to gluten, soy, dairy, eggs and yeast. It is a little tricky now to find food with none of these things in it that a toddler will eat. BUT when we avoid the foods the symptoms go away.The lab sent information along with the results and recommended that she NEVER eat these foods again – especially gluten as it can cause permenant damage in her intestines. Is gluten sensitivity different than other food sensitivities? Will they go away? Has anyone heard of the new LDA shots?

  • http://www.franklipman.com franklipman

    Jenni
    the one food that she should probably stay away from is gluten as it
    can cause permanent damage to the intestine if she has celiac disease
    or a severe sensitivity. So start with eliminating that and giving her
    some probiotics and see what happens
    Frank

  • Cjyprice

    I have had my gallbladder removed, and now have problems digesting fats. It doesnt stop there however, I seem to be more and more intolerant to meat, even lean meats. I have tried your spent diet and it helps, but I still experience bloating, constipation, and diarraha. Even my stand-by my Metagentics rice protien shake is giving me problems. What to do? My family doctor just shakes his head, and has no answers.

  • Yogalena

    I did the spent program and eliminated sugar, gluten, caffeine, processed foods, etc about 4 months ago. I haven't been tested for celiac disease, but recently experimented with a food with gluten. It was delicious, but then I was up most of the night with GI problems. I'm definitely not going back.

  • http://www.franklipman.com franklipman

    First try Betaine HCL and Digestive enzymes,
    If that doesn't help, add probiotics and
    if that doesn't help, try some lipotopic factors like choline,
    betaine, methionine, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12.
    Frank

  • Julie

    Are there any good tests out that that test for food sensitivity? I've heard of a couple…ELISA and ALCAT…are these good?

  • http://www.thegallbladdersymptoms.net gall bladder symptoms

    HI, 

    Its nice article guys, I liked it.