Yes, it’s that time of the year again. The holidays roll around and it’s time for the three F’s of the calendar year: fun, family and food. Lots of food. There’s the roasted turkey, the mashed potatoes, the green bean casserole… so many options to choose from! But wait! What’s this that Aunt Nancy brought? It looks good, but what the heck is in it? No bother, it’s the holidays, let’s give it a taste! And while we’re at it, we’ll try a bit of this, a bite of that and, before you know it, you feel miserable.
The holidays are definitely a time for overindulgence, but have you ever stopped to consider that maybe it’s not how much you eat, but WHAT you eat that makes you feel so miserable after a holiday meal? The holidays and other large family food gatherings are prime time for food issues to rear their ugly heads. They can leave you feeling “ugh” for the rest of the day, or even needing emergency care!
Any Lab Test Now® wants to keep you healthy and happy this holiday season, so we want to remind you that if you’ve ever left the holiday table feeling less than festive, now might be the best time to consider Allergy and Sensitivity Lab Testing.
Let’s start with the basics: Is it an allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance? There are big differences, and the right lab test can give you the answers you need and let you know what to avoid. Adverse food reactions can be immune system related or digestive system related.
Food Allergies are the biggie. That’s because the body can react to a food allergy with a wide range of ills. It can be as simple as a stuffy nose or as dangerous as anaphylaxis! Food allergies involve an immune response in which IgE antibodies are formed. The most common test for these types of allergies is IgE tests, which can detect immunoglobulin “E” traces in your blood and can then pinpoint the offending food! Some of the most popular IgE allergy tests available at Any Lab Test Now include the Basic/Pediatric Panel, the Expanded Food Panel, and the Comprehensive Combination Panel.
Sometimes you can be allergic to a food, but your reaction is cumulative instead of immediate. The most common test for these types of allergies is IgG lab tests. These tests look for traces of immunoglobulin “G” in your blood. The most common IgG tests offered by Any Lab Test Now include the Expanded Food Panel III, the Comprehensive Combination Panel I/III, and the Super Combination Panel.
Food Sensitivities are also immune related. The difference is, they do not involve IgE antibodies. Instead, food sensitivity occurs when a trigger food hits your small intestine. That’s where the offending particle passes into your bloodstream and your white blood cells are less than welcoming! It can sometimes feel like the flu, with symptoms like a headache, body aches, and serious digestive complaints.
Food Intolerances can take you from the party directly to the bathroom. They usually occur when your body lacks a certain enzyme needed to break down a food properly. Intolerances don’t involve an immune response, but your body is going to let you know by way of your digestive system. Symptoms usually include gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
With both food sensitivities and intolerances, ALCAT testing is recommended. Some of Any Lab Test Now’s most common ALCAT tests include the Pediatric Wellness Panel, the 200 Foods Panel, and the Comprehensive Platinum Panel.
Any Lab Test Now is also proud to now offer the CICA test — the Celiac, IBS, and Crohn’s Array. The CICA test measures gut health on the genetic, antibody, and cellular levels and could help pinpoint the cause of chronic discomfort.
Keep the holidays happy and healthy by pinpointing allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances now so you’ll know what to avoid later. You can use our easy Testing Road Map to determine which tests would work best for you, or you can check with one of our experts at your nearest Any Lab Test Now location.
