Sensitivity to food can be defined as either an allergy or food intolerance.

An allergy is caused when the body's protective immune system responds to a substance that it comes in contact with (either eaten, touched or inhaled) which it mistakenly sees as harmful. This substance causes production of antibodies (IgE) which release histamine. Histamine causes the reactions individuals see in the form of symptoms such as asthma, swelling of the throat and skin irritation. Anaphylactic shock is the most serious and dangerous of allergic reactions, this being when the full immune defense response is provoked, which can be life threatening. Allergic reactions are normally immediate on contact with the substance/food.

Resulting symptoms of food allergy include:

	Anaphylaxis: a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can result in death
	Angioedema: swelling, especially of the eyelids, face, lips, and tongue
	Skin: eczema, acne, psoriasis, hives
	Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any area
	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or abdominal pain
	Runny nose or nasal congestion
	Wheezing, scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing
	Cardiac: irregularities and palpitations
	Rhinitis: catarrh, rhinitis, sinus congestion

An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergens contain proteins, which are present in all foods. Allergy Analysis's tests food proteins from the foods found in an average diet. (full list of foods)

The most common foods that cause allergic reactions are milk, egg, tree nut, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, shell fish and pan fish (perch, cod). However, our bodies can potentially react to any foods.

A food intolerance may not be an immediate reaction after ingestion and the amount of food required to cause a reaction varies. Food intolerances are not life threatening, although they can make you feel generally ill and affect your health over time. It is still not clear whether food intolerances cause an antibody effect. However, Allergy Analysis is striving to help define this information. Food intolerance symptoms are normally less severe than with an allergic reaction, but they are underlying food problems which are tolerated by many people everyday. Conditions associated with food intolerances include irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, eczema and migraines, back pain, mood swings and depression, joint pains (arthritis), and fluid retention. Reactions to foods are often slow and may take up to 3 days to surface as symptoms after ingestion; therefore it is very difficult to pinpoint what causes these symptoms without testing all foods.

In many instances difficulties arise in pinpointing the food allergens involved in causing allergy symptoms, and the Allergy Analysis test will give sufferers the opportunity to do so. Our technology represents a substantial scientific and diagnostic advance on other allergy testing services. This enables us to offer a comprehensive analysis that encompasses the 400 most common items in your diet – all from a single pin prick of blood. The analysis report is presented in a way that will be useful and informative to your GP or other medical advisor.

If you feel you might need to make dietary changes to avoid food allergens, we strongly recommend you consult a registered dietitian. To check whether a dietitian you are about to use is registered visit the Health Professions Council

Facts about food allergies...