Questions About Food Allergies and Sensitivities

• Why test for food allergies and sensitivities?

  Many people suffer from food allergies and sensitivities – often without even knowing it. in some cases, daily symptoms are not easy to associate with specific foods, since some reactions can appear hours after consumption. Our Extensive Food Intolerance and Allergy test can provide valuable clues to which foods you may not tolerate well.

  The Food Sensitivities and Allergies Test offers you a first indication of any possible issue as well as an overview. Specific IgE antibodies as well as IgG4 antibodies will be measured for a wide variety of foods. A majority of all food allergies and sensitivities are the result of the foods tested in the analysis.

  Please note: The Extensive Food Intolerances and Allergies Test does not screen for intolerances to lactose, fructose, sorbitol, or histamine. These intolerances have to be tested for in another test, as they result in different antibodies – not IgE and IgG4.

  
  

• How does the test work?

  For the Extensive Food Intolerance + Allergy test, you use the lancets provided to collect a small blood sample from your fingertip. Only a few drops of blood are necessary.

  You collect the sample on a dried blood spot card and send it in the included mailing envelope free of charge to our CLIA-certified partner lab, which will measure the amount of specific IgE and IgG4 antibodies in your blood. After your sample has been analyzed, you will receive a results report in your user account on our website or in the my cerascreen® app.

  Please note: You get the best results when you follow a varied diet (for approximately two weeks) prior to collecting your sample. Please note: Do not consume any foods to which you have a known allergy, as this could lead to risk of anaphylaxis. Please do not take any antihistamines.

• What does the results report tell me?

  The results report for your Food Intolerance + Allergy test will show you what level of IgE and IgG4 antibodies you have in your blood in response to each food tested.

  A table shows how strong your sensitization to each of the 44 different foods – if your body is producing too many IgE antibodies in response to a specific food. This sensitization will tell you how strong the allergic reaction from your immune system is to a food.

  The other side of the table will tell you how many IgG4 antibodies to 208 different foods were found in your blood. A mild or strong reaction, according to alternative medicine theories, can offer a first indication of possible food intolerances.

• What are the recommendations?

  Neither the IgE or the IgG4 levels are a diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis can only be give by your doctor or allergist. It is also possible that elevated levels with some foods do not cause symptoms.

  You can use the results as a first indication and then use this to discuss the next steps with your doctor. Your results report will also give you tips how you can use targeted elimination diets to further test which foods you can or cannot tolerate.

  In addition you will also receive recommendations for how you can still have a balanced diet despite food allergies or sensitivities.

• What are IgE and IgG4?

  Immunglobulin E (IgE) and Immunglobulin G4 (IgG4) are two types of antibodies. They are part of the defense mechanisms of our immune system. IgE as well as IgG4 are part of a group of antibodies that are specialized to defend our bodies from foreign bodies.

  When you have an allergy, there are too many IgE antibodies in your body. They activate a reaction to a harmless protein like pollen, pet hair, or food. This causes a release of histamines, which lead to inflammation and other typical allergy symptoms.

  An IgG4-caused food intolerance is a theory from alternative medicine, which is not currently supported from the scientific literature. According to the theory, elevated levels of IgG4 antibodies can lead to immune and inflammatory reactions. However the symptoms are usually delayed by a few hours or even days after you have eaten the food in question.

• What types of allergies are tested?

  For most food allergies the symptoms usually appear immediately or shortly after eating. Nuts, soy, or animal proteins like milk, egg, or shellfish can also cause a dangerous allergic reaction allergic shock (anaphylaxis), in which a sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to loss of consciousness and in rare cases can lead to death.

  Typical symptoms of a food allergy:
  – Rash
  – Digestive issues such as diarrhea or stomach pain
  – Itching of the mouth or a fuzzy feeling on the tongue
  – Difficulty breathing or allergy-induced asthma

• Which foods cause allergies?

  More than 170 different foods can cause an allergy or intolerance. There are also certain foods which are by far the most common causes of intolerance. These include:
  - Cow’s milk and egg
  – Legumes (most commonly peanut or soy)
  – Nuts
  – Wheat
  – Fish and shellfish

  Less likely to cause an allergy are different types of fruit, vegetables, or spices.

  Most food allergies appear in childhood. An individual usually grows out of an allergy to cow’s milk, egg, wheat, or soy while a nut, fish, or shellfish allergy is typically a lifelong problem.

• What are IgG4-induced intolerances?

  According to a theory from alternative medicine, high concentrations of specific IgG4 antibodies is a sign that the body is intolerant to that particular food. The theory further maintains that consumption of the food in question can lead to inflammation in the gut.

  The association between the IgG4 antibody concentration and food intolerance is debated in the scientific community.

• What are the symptoms of IgG4-induced intolerances?

  IgG4-induced intolerance symptoms are said to appear hours or days after having consumed the food in question.

  Possible symptoms of a food intolerance:
  – Digestive issues, especially bloating
  – Headaches and migraines
  – Fatigue
  – Whistling noises when you breath, runny nose
  – Rash

• What should I do if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

  There is no treatment to heal an allergy. According to the theories, an IgG4-induced intolerance can disappear if the food has been avoided for a while.

  Currently the only effective method of dealing with a food allergy or intolerance is to identify which food your body reacts to and then avoid consuming that food.

  Some medications (antihistamines) can temporarily reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction when you have eaten an allergen. People who have strong allergic reactions usually carry an EpiPen with them, so that in case of anaphylactic shock they can inject themselves with adrenaline.

• Who should not take the test?

  The Food Intolerance and Allergy Test is not intended for certain people or only in special circumstances:

  • People with infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV should not take the Food Sensitivities and Allergy Test.
  • People with hemophilia should not take the test.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only take the Food Sensitivities and Allergies Test in the presence of a doctor. The reference values and recommendations provided in the test are not for pregnant and nursing women, therefore you should ask your doctor about your test result.
  • The Food Intolerances and Allergies Test is not intended for children under the age of 18 .

  This test is not intended to diagnose a disease. If you suffer from a chronic condition such as diarrhea or severe pain, please contact your doctor.