Immediate and Delayed Food Allergy (IgE, IgG)

The foods we eat have changed significantly over the past 100 years. Modern diets contain greater numbers of spices and exotic foods, increasing numbers of preservatives and additives, and foods that have been modified by elaborate processing techniques.

Concurrent with these changes in diet, there has been an increase in the incidence of eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, hives, rhinitis, asthma, arthritis, and general aches and pains. Allergies have been shown to play a role in these conditions. It has been suggested that food allergies, brought on by increasingly diverse and immunogenic (immune system activating) diets, may be responsible for many of the chronic complaints that are seen today.

Reactions to foods can occur immediately (Type I hypersensitivity) or up to a few days later (Type III hypersensitivity). Type I hypersensitivity is usually associated with IgE production, which stimulates the release of histamines, among other chemical messengers.

Type III hypersensitivity is mediated by IgG production. Food-specific IgG’s attach to food allergens, forming immune complexes; if not cleared by the body, these complexes can deposit at various sites in the body, where they become a source of inflammation or other irritation. Most laboratories performing food allergy tests identify the presence of IgE- and IgG-type antibodies. Foods that stimulate elevated IgE responses are responsible for some of the most serious clinical problems and should be avoided completely, whereas foods that stimulate IgG production may be eliminated temporarily in order to evaluate patient response. Although IgE is normally associated with the allergic response, it has been suggested that up to 90% of food allergies are IgG-mediated. For this reason, it is important to test for the presence of both of these antibody types.

 Consider IgG testing for patients with chronic conditions involving any system –

Gastrointestinal (distension, bloating, cramping, colic, N/V, diarrhea)

Respiratory allergic reactions (rhinitis, nasal congestion, sinusitis)

Dermal (ECZEMA, angioedema)

CNS (mood, behavior, learning difficulties, H/A)

Neurovascular (migraines, Meniere’s)

Musculoskelatal (weakness, feeling “below par”, arthralgia, myalgia).