Food Intolerance & Allergy Testing in Ottawa

Do you have digestive difficulties, low energy, achy joints or eat well yet still have trouble losing weight? Do you have an infant with ear infections, a runny nose or frequent colds or flus? You or your child may have food intolerance or allergies that are contributing to inflammation in your body and feeling less than your best.

  • Highlight: Test for Food Intolerance, Sensitivities or Allergies by Electrodermal Method or Blood Test
  • Your Key Symptoms: Bloating, Gas, Diarrhea, Constipation, Fatigue, Skin, Pain, Migraines, Weight Difficulties or Traditional Allergy Symptoms i.e. Hives, Itchy Tongue or Throat, Swelling.
  • Why Test? Undiagnosed food sensitivities may contribute to symptoms that lead to illness. Food elimination and challenge plans are difficult to implement partly due to the delayed food reactions that occur with food intolerance or sensitivities.
  • Indicated for: Children from birth on an annual basis and adults every two years
  • Results Available: Generally, in 2 weeks once the lab has received your sample

What are the tests for food intolerances, sensitivities, and allergies available at Revivelife?

As no two people are alike, at Revivelife Clinic in we offer food hypersensitivity testing in Ottawa from a variety of labs including Dynacare, Life Labs, Meridian Valley Labs, and Cyrex. Your health professional at Revivelife Clinic will help select the right test method and define what food choices are right for your optimal health.

Food Hypersensitivity Options Include:

  • Food Intolerance – Electrodermal Screening 100 Panel
  • Food Sensitivity – IgG Blood 120 or 200 Panels
  • Food Sensitivity & Allergy – IgG & IgE Blood 200 Panel
  • Food Allergy – IgE Blood Test Panels

Additional Specialized Food Hypersensitivity Testing is available based on need.

Food Intolerance, Sensitivity and Allergy Testing in Ottawa

What is the difference between food intolerance, sensitivities, and allergies?

  • Food Intolerance – Food intolerance is a delayed reaction caused by the inability to digest or absorb certain foods that do not involve the immune system.
  • Food Sensitivity – A food sensitivity is a delayed immune reaction (which may occur up to 72 hours after eating an offending food) caused by the production of IgG antibodies to specific foods. Both food intolerance and sensitivity IgG reactions are generally less severe and are centred around digestive symptoms.
  • Food Allergy – In contrast, a true food allergy is an immediate IgE-immune reaction that is linked to generalized organs with multiple symptoms. Allergies can be severe or life-threatening.

What are common symtoms & conditions associated with food intolerance or allergies?

Common symptoms of a food intolerance and food sensitivity-IgG reaction are often focused on the digestive system but may also include acne, eczema, arthritis, migraines, headaches, respiratory difficulties, and inflammation. While the symptoms of food intolerance or IgG sensitivity may cause discomfort, they are generally not life-threatening. The intensity of the reaction is related to the quantity and frequency that the food is consumed.

In comparison food allergy IgE symptoms include itching, swelling of the lips and tongue, hives, shortness of breath, coughing, vomiting, throat-tightening and potentially may be life-threatening (anaphylaxis reaction. It is recommended to avoid any food allergies as even eating the smallest amount of the food or particles of the food can potentially trigger a life-threatening reaction.

At times, it may be difficult to tell the difference between food intolerance and allergies as the as some signs and symptoms may be similar. Hypersensitivities may begin or disappear at any age and may develop quickly or slowly.

How are food intolerances or allergies treated?

The good news is that dietary management based on identifying the food hypersensitivity is associated with significant and rapid improvement in symptoms for almost 80% of people. At Revivelife our Naturopathic Doctors in Ottawa provide focused treatment and specialized care based on the different food hypersensitivities and intensities present. Naturopathic approaches include nutritional support, acupuncture, and tailored supplements or herbals to improve your microbiome, overall digestion and stress management. There is substantial clinical and scientific support for the benefit of IgG and IgE food antibody testing for the evaluation of food reactions.3

We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot before lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results and receive your tailored health plan.

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

 

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

Do insurance companies or OHIP cover the cost  of food sensitivities? 

Your insurance provider may cover food sensitivities (intolerances, sensitivities IgG, or allergies IgE) under Naturopathic care. Please check with your provider for your details. OHIP does not currently cover food sensitivity testing.

What are the common symptoms and conditions linked to food intolerance, or sensitivity?

Symptoms of food intolerance or IgG sensitivity include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever, Chills, Sweating
  • Reduced concentration & focus
  • Colic in infants
  • Headaches
  • Digestive upset – heartburn, nausea, pain, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, constipation
  • Irritability or nervousness
  • Skin conditions – acne, eczema, rashes, psoriasis
  • Brain & Mood changes
  • Behavior concerns – ADD
  • Fluid retention
  • Lungs Food-induced bronchitis and asthma
  • Pain- joint pain, muscle stiffness and swelling
  • Fertility concerns
  • PMS, menopause
  • Darkness under the eyes

Food intolerances or IgG antibody reactions have been found to be associated with:

  • IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) & IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)3,9
  • Chron’s disease6
  • Weight management7
  • Headaches8
  • Migraines8,9
  • Chronic constipation10
  • Chronic Hepatitis C infection
  • Eczema10
  • Respiratory complaints (asthma, rhinitis)10
  • Functional dyspepsia10
  • ENT (Ear (ear infections), nose and throat) Illnesses10, 11
  • Chronic Fatigue10
  • Hair Loss10
  • Atherosclerosis10
  • EoE (Eosinophilic Esophagitis)12

What are the common signs and symptoms of a food allergy?

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe, and the amount of food necessary to trigger a reaction varies from person to person. Symptoms of a food allergy may include:

  • Rash, hives, dermatitis or eczema
  • Nausea
  • Cramping, stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Itchy skin
  • Shortness of breath, asthma
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling of the airways to the lungs
  • Darkness under the eyes
  • Sinus congestion
  • Moodiness
  • Anaphylaxis – a medical emergency

What are the common risks associated with developing food intolerance, sensitivities or allergies?

The most common causes of food intolerance include:

  1. Enzymes – the absence or reduction of an enzyme needed to digest food fully. Lactose intolerance due to lactase deficiency or hereditary fructose is a typical example.
  2. Food Toxins – like aflatoxins that may be found in under cooked beans
  3. Chemicals – certain chemicals like nitrates, benzoates or amines in some cheeses or caffeine in coffee, tea, and chocolate
  4. Histamine – increases in foods like fish that are not stored properly
  5. Salicylates – are present in most plant-sourced foods, including cherries, citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, nuts, spices, herbs, coffee, tea, juices, beer and wine, flavor additives in processed foods or medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs.
  6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome – this chronic condition can cause cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.
  7. Stress or Psychological Factors –  reduces the production of digestive enzymes and or food associated stress related to emotional trauma.

IgG-mediated food reactions are believed to be caused by increased gut permeability (leaky bowel syndrome). Leaky bowel syndrome is when undigested food particles, toxic waste products and bacteria to “leak” through the intestines into the blood stream due to damage to the small intestine. 2 Irritable bowel syndrome is linked to increased food IgG sensitivities and decreased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, and TGFβ1.

Food allergies risk factors include: having a family history of asthma, eczema, hives, or hay fever; other allergies; your age as toddlers and infants are more at risk; and or asthma.

How common are food allergies?

The prevalence of food allergies in infancy is increasing and may affect up to 15-20 percent of infants, 6 percent of young children and 3 to 4 percent of adults according to a 2014 comprehensive review published in Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology and research from Mount Sinai School of Medicine.13,14 This alarming rate of increase calls for new prevention and treatment strategies for food allergies.

Researchers suggest that changes in the microbiome that are present during early infancy are linked to the increase in the prevalence of food allergies.15

How is the allergy testing at Revivelife Clinic is different than what is done by a traditional allergist MD?

The Allergy Testing offered at Revivelife clinic in Ottawa analyzes food reactions that occur immediately (IgE) and or sensitivity reactions that occur in a delayed response (IgG). The benefit is that many items can be tested in a panel from one blood sample.

A traditional allergist MD uses one of the skin testing methods, i.e., Scratch test to determine allergic responses. The advantage is that you will have information about the most severe allergic reactions, which is a medical necessity. The disadvantage is that the less severe allergic reactions or intolerances may be missed.

The most comprehensive approach to food & environmental reactions is to include both blood testing for IgE and IgG results with traditional scratch testing for allergies by your allergist MD.

The advantages of our method are: 

  •       Number of Items Tested– many items can be tested from one blood sample
  •       Accuracy– false-negative results minimized (when a person is stressed which may occur in scratch testing, the body releases adrenaline which may cause false-negative effects especially in children)
  •       Immediate & Delayed Reaction Assessment– we can see results from an immediate allergic reaction ( IgE) and or a delayed sensitivity reaction ( IgG)
  •       Flexibility –the Test may be customized to include single food items to be tested or as panel testing. If you have more than 19 things that you wish to have tested it is advised to use the panel testing as your best financial option.

What is the validity of food intolerance testing?

Numerous studies in peer-reviewed journals have shown the health benefits of removing IgG reactive foods, particularly for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Migraine headaches and weight management.

To feel  better, do I need to avoid the foods that I am intolerant, sensitive or allergic to?

Working with intolerances, sensitivities or allergies is two-tiered process that includes both detection and then healing. Testing is step one in your path to wellness. Once the food or environmental reactions are determined, it is essential to have a health plan to understand the source of why these reactions developed and an approach to healing those mechanisms.

Will I always react to these items?

Many food or environmental reactions reduce once the healing portion of your plan is implemented.

The most comprehensive approach to food & environmental reactions would be to overlap intolerance results with allergy results. We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot prior to lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results.

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

Food Sensitivity Test – Electrodermal

Step 1- Patient Preparation

  1. Avoid the use of lotions or creams on the hands or feet the day of the Vega test
  2. Remove all jewelry (done at the time of the test)
  3. Remove all electronic devices or items with magnetic striping, i.e. watches, telephone, pager, wallet with credit cards (done at the time of the test)
  4. Please notify your naturopath if you have a pacemaker or similar device
  5. Avoid stimulants with caffeine, i.e. coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate 24 hours before the test
  6. Take any normal medications that you use on an ongoing basis. Note that high doses of alcohol, amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, corticosteroids, and immune suppressive medications may make testing more difficult; thus if not a part of your normal medical plan of management, avoid 24 hours before the test.

Step 2- The Electrodermal Test

The Vega Test is an EAV acupuncture technique testing device. The electroacupunture diagnostic method utilizes a galvanometer designed to measure the skin’s electrical activity at designated acupuncture points. The patient holds a negative electrode in one and hand and the practitioner holds the positive electrode probe to press selected acupuncture points. When a suspected food or environmental is placed on an aluminum tray which is connected into the circuit (or when the Vegamedi, which encases the food or environmental samples, is used), certain galvanometer reading changes, indicating intolerance. This method is also used for Food Additive Testing, which is most indicated for children with ADD/ADHD, and adults or children with learning disabilities. This takes 10 minutes as well and can be done alone or in combination with the food and environmental testing. The procedure is non invasive , thus it is not painful and is ideal for children.

At Revivelife Clinic we uses the Vega Test as a supportive technique (not a diagnostic or treatment device) in conjunction with an individual’s history, physical findings and/or laboratory tests. The information gathered is used in conjunction with the traditional elimination challenge technique to determine a person’s food intolerance. The Vega Test along with a patient’s history will facilitate food intolerance assessment which is to be noted as different than food allergy detection. If a person has other allergies it is important for them to overlap these results with any food sensitivities that are determined.

 Food Sensitivity Test – IgG 120 or 200 Panels

  1. Step 1- Receive your blood requisition
  2. Step 2- Go to the lab as designated on your lab requisition
  3. Step 3- The lab technician will take your sample

Food Sensitivity Test – IgG & IgE 200 Panel

Step 1 Patient Preparation

  1. Discontinue any anti-histamine medication at least 48 hours prior to testing where possible. Continue any required medications.

Step 2- The Food Sensitivity & Allergy Test – IgG & IgE 200 Panel

Please follow the guidelines in the test sample box

  1. Receive 2 requisitions (one for a local lab to do the blood draw and one for the food sensitivity test lab) and test kit
  2. Go to the lab as designated on your lab requisition and given them the lab requisition for the blood draw and the test kit. They will then draw your blood sample and then centrifuge it and ask you to return 2 hours later to pick it up.  Allow for time for this ie go at least 2 hrs before the lab closes.

Step 3- Shipping

Refer to shipping instructions with the kit. The sample must be taken on either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, and must be shipped on the same day the sample was taken. The sample must arrive at lab within 24-48 hours.

Revivelife Clinic has partnered with UPS to ease your delivery of samples. The following locations are familiar with our procedures and will assist you in your shipping needs.

Food Allergy Test – IgE Panels

  1. Step 1- Receive your blood requisition
  2. Step 2- Go to the lab as designated on your lab requisition
  3. Step 3- The lab technician will take your sample

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

  1. Lomer, M. C. E. (1 February 2015). “Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance”. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 41 (3): 262–275. PMID25471897.
  2. Mullin, CE et al, Testing for food reactions: the good, the bad, and the ugly. , Nutr Clin Pract. 2010 Apr;25(2):192-8. doi: 10.1177/0884533610362696., PMID: 20413700, DOI: 1177/0884533610362696
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  8. Alpay, K, et al, Diet restriction in migraine, based on IgG against foods: A clinical double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial, Cephalalgia. 2010 Jul; 30(7): 829–837. , PMID: 20647174
  9. Aydinlar, El, et al, IgG-based elimination diet in migraine plus irritable bowel syndrome., 2013 Mar;53(3):514-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02296.x. Epub 2012 Dec 6.
  10. Shakoor, Zahid, et al, Prevalence of IgG-mediated food intolerance among patients with allergic symptoms, Ann Saudi Med. 2016 Nov-Dec; 36(6): 386–390., PMID: 27920409
  11. Dockhorn RJ., Clinical studies of food allergy in infants and children, Ann Allergy. 1987 Nov;59(5 Pt 2):137-40., PMID: 3688567
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  13. Boyce, JA, et al, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States, J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Dec; 126(6 0): S1–58. , PMID: 21134576
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