Should you test for food sensitivities?

Written by Christopher Kelly

Nov. 6, 2014

Should you test for food sensitivities? In this episode, we discuss the problems with food sensitivity testing and how you can address food sensitivities without a lab test.

How food sensitivity testing works. Most food sensitivity tests start with a blood sample. That sample is tested against various foods to see how the immune cells in the sample respond to the foods introduced. The problem is that accuracy depends on the blood sample quality and could vary depending on what foods you are eating when the sample is drawn. It’s also unrealistic because most of the food you eat never even ends up in your bloodstream.

A better alternative to food sensitivity testing. We recommend following the Gold Standard, an elimination diet. Start afresh and eliminate all of the foods that could potentially be causing your problems. In addition to the standard Paleo restrictions,  remove eggs, nuts, seeds, spices and nightshade vegetables.

Choose a time period to follow an elimination diet. We recommend 30-60 days, where you keep a food diary to track foods and symptoms. During this time, you can do some cycling to add foods back in, testing whether or not they give you problems.

What to do next? Our Food Scientist, Julie Kelly, can help you track your food and identify your food sensitivities. Sign up for her 60-day Autoimmune Protocol Program to get help figuring what you should be eating.

 

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