Why food intolerance tests are a scam
Hello Reader,
Today we are discussing scams!
Specifically the scam of food intolerance tests. You might have seen these tests online claiming to diagnose a food intolerance with a simple blood test.
While this sounds great for people who have struggled with uncomfortable symptoms, unfortunately, these tests aren't what they seem.
Let's take a look.
First, let's define a food intolerance
A food intolerance is a collection of symptoms that occur when a particular ingredient, natural food chemical, or additive is consumed. The symptoms vary between individuals and can range from gastrointestinal complaints to headaches and mouth ulcers.
A good example is a lactose intolerance which occurs when people have trouble digesting lactose. This causes bloating, cramps and diarrhoea.
Is a food intolerance the same as a food allergy?
No. A food allergy is an immune response to a protein in food.
Food intolerances do not involve the immune system.
What is a food intolerance test?
Food intolerance tests are sold online by commercial labs. They range from $200 to over $800!!
These tests claim to take the guesswork out of food intolerances by using blood tests to identify which foods are causing your symptoms.
How does the test work?
These tests work by exposing your blood to different foods and measuring the change in IgG antibodies. Antibodies are part of your immune system and they increase in response to foreign substances.
Depending on how much you pay, the lab will test your IgG levels in response to hundreds of foods. Foods that cause a significant increase in IgG antibodies indicate a food intolerance.
Sounds good, why is this a scam?
The problem is, there is no good evidence to support the claim that measuring IgG levels can diagnose a food intolerance.
Let's lay it out.
1. Food intolerances do not involve the immune system.
Food intolerance symptoms are caused by difficulty digesting a food. They do not involve the immune system, so measuring an immune response (IgG antibodies) is not helpful.
2. IgG antibodies increase in response to food exposure in everyone.
Remember how we said antibodies increase when exposed to foreign substances? Well, food is a foreign substance and having an increase in IgG antibodies is completely normal. It simply means your body has been exposed to that food before.
A 2018 study measured the IgG antibodies in people who reported a wheat or dairy intolerance and those who reported no food intolerance. The study found no difference in IgG antibodies between the participants with a food intolerance and those without.
3. The test is NOT endorsed by leading allergy bodies
If this was a valid and reliable test, then doctors and dietitians would be encouraging their patients to access it. If they were medically useful, they would also be covered by Medicare and private health insurance.
But, ASCIA, the peak allergy association in Australian and New Zealand, do not encourage the use of IgG testing.
What's the harm?
Is there actually any harm in taking these tests?
I would argue yes. People will base their eating choices off of these test results. They will avoid foods they have been told worsen their symptoms which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and fear around food.
This fear and confusion around eating can also lead to a withdrawal from social and celebratory eating affecting your mental health and quality of life.
We also know that people who have more restrictive diets due to allergies or health concerns are at an increased risk of developing an eating disorder.
These tests are far from harmless
So what now?
If you have been tempted to purchase these tests, I get it. Trying to figure out food intolerances can be a time consuming and challenging experience.
But, rather than reaching for these tests I encourage you to explore your symptoms with your doctor and discuss diet changes with a dietitian. You may find helpful ways to manage your symptoms that don't require you to cut out the food you love.
Find out more about food intolerances and how they are managed in my latest blog.
Interested in seeing a dietitian? Find out about dietitian appointments here
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Please feel free to get in touch at kim@nutritioninmind.com.au or via Instagram. I would love to hear your thoughts on food intolerance tests.
