Dr. Cheryl Burdette, ND, Founder & Education Director of Precision Point Diagnostics, walks us through this lecture that focuses on the research around food sensitivities and allergies and why it is a viable and critical part of the management of inflammatory and oxidative pathologies.
Increasing Incidents of Food Allergies
Worldwide, allergic disease has continued to rise in the industrialized world for more than 50 years. In 2021 7.8 million children reported respiratory allergies, and the CDC reported food allergies have increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011.
Why Test for Food Sensitivities (IgG) and Allergies (IgE)?
Testing IgG and IgE can give us practitioners a clearer picture of what is happening within the body. Once we know what the patient is reacting to, we will have the information to guide them through nutritional therapy, decreasing the body’s immune response.
The immune system is your body’s way of letting you know that you may be intolerant or sensitive to certain foods. A reaction to food is an abnormal response in the gastrointestinal tract that can occur for different reasons. When the immune system reacts to food in this way, it can lead to inflammation and irritation of the intestine leading to systemic inflammation throughout the body
Symptoms Associated with Food Reactions
• Auto-Immune Conditions
• Constipation or Diarrhea
• Decreased immune function
• Weight Gain
• Depression/Anxiety
• Fatigue/Poor Sleep
• Gas or bloating
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Headache or migraine
• Hives, rash, eczema, or edema
• Joint pain and inflammation
• Poor absorption of valuable vitamins and minerals
Precision Point P88 Dietary Antigen Test
The P88 Test is unique because it not only tests for food sensitivities but also food allergies. This Test detects IgE, multiple classes of IgG, and complement, which results in a higher sensitivity.
Unique Features of P88 Antigen Test
• Measures 4 immune reactions with an add on of a fifth (sIgA) if desired
• Shows which allergies have developed a tolerance to (most testing only show allergic reaction but not when you have adapted to the antigen)
• Provides an Immune Index, listing all foods from highest to lowest, so you know which foods to avoid in a simple format.
• Provides multiple diet choices for the patient so you can match their needs from more symptomatic to less symptomatic
Summary
The immune system has many ways it reacts to foods. As we look at these immune complexes together, we can get a more accurate picture that helps us determine what dietary intervention has the most significant therapeutic value for that patient and condition. Precision Point’s P88 Dietary Antigen Test gives practitioners an overview of 4 different types of immune-mediated responses. By removing these trigger foods, the patient will have the opportunity to reduce overall inflammation within the body.