No test provides 100% accurate results; however, some produce fairly good results. To begin tracking the possibility of a food allergy or intolerance yourself, start by keeping a diet diary of all the things you eat and any symptoms you experience. This can help health professionals in determining if you are particularly susceptible to one food. Other methods include:
- 4-Day Rotation Diet
This test requires foods to be eaten on four-day rotations. This prevents the occurrence of eating one particular food too frequently; from this you should be able to determine patterns and foods to which you are sensitive.
- Elimination-then-Challenge Diet
This diet works by eliminating the suspected food that you may be allergic or intolerant to from the diet for 2 to 4 weeks. Following this elimination, try the product every 2 to 4 days in moderation and watch for symptoms.
- ELISA/ACT (antigen leukocyte cellular antibody test)
This is a blood test that determines if cell damage or destruction has taken place when exposed to allergic or toxic substance. These tests are often performed when there are suspected delayed food allergies. These tests are very time consuming and therefore tend to be expensive. Medical Doctors can order blood tests like these to determine allergies. Allergists are also starting to supply these tests in their facilities.
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoserological assay) antibody test
Certain antibodies are produced by the body if you digest certain products that you are allergic to. This test determines the presence and level of these antibodies in the blood for specific foods. These tests are often performed when there are suspected delayed food allergies. These tests are very time consuming and therefore tend to be expensive. Allergists are increasingly supplying ELISA tests to their patients.
- Muscle Testing (Applied Kinesiology)
According to Sondra Traylor, DC, ND, this test works by trying individual foods and testing muscles for reduced strength. By placing the particular food under the tongue, it immediately sends signals to the brain. The brain then recognizes if this is a “good” or a “bad” food according to the body of that individual. If the food is recognized as “bad” the muscle looses strength, which has been redirected to another part of the body that needs it more. This test is relatively cheap and easy. To find the best results, it is recommended to find someone with lots of experience with muscle testing.
Sources: American Heart Association; Harvard School of Public Health; 10 Weeks to Wellness™, Paul Ratte, ND; WebMD
