Has anyone ever tried this and does it work?

[Deb]

http://empoweredsustenance.com/food-sensitivities-test/

[tex]

Hi Deb,

Regardless of the claim that the test works for food intolerances, it's strictly a test for classic food allergies, as far as I can tell. Why? Because it involves only tasting the food, never swallowing it.

That said, yes, food allergies have long been known to cause an increase in pulse rate (tachycardia is a classic symptom of anaphylactic reactions). If the reaction is severe enough, you can also detect a significant blood pressure drop. I noticed many years ago that if I eat a food that contains yellow #6, my heart rate will increase significantly. But that's an allergy, not an intolerance (because it doesn't cause D).

Tex

[Deb]

Thanks! I've noticed my heart seems to palpitate sometimes after eating. I've been thinking my BP is increasing but maybe not. I'm going to watch it closer.

[Deb]

One more question, is it likely or unlikely that if you have a food allergy you also have an intolerance (or more likely to develop one)?

[tex]

Hmmmmmmmm. Very good question. I've never given any thought to that before, and I really don't know the answer. Maybe someone else will have some insight.

Tex

[MBombardier]

Deb, do you have thyroid problems? I get you and the other Deb mixed up (sorry). The heart pounding after eating is a classic hypothyroid symptom. I find I do better when I keep carbs at a minimum. For me, I had to even stop eating apples at a meal, even though I had eaten a significant amount of protein.

[Zizzle]

One more question, is it likely or unlikely that if you have a food allergy you also have an intolerance (or more likely to develop one)?

I base my answer on my limited knowledge of childhood food allergies. My daughter is IgE allergic to birch pollen, soy and other legumes, but her reactions to both differ. Pollen affects her nose and eyes, legumes affect her stomach and intestines causing D. Other children allergic to soy might have oral and throat symptoms before the soy reaches their lower GI tract. I suspect certain tissues are primed to react to allergens differently. Would rubbing soy in her eye cause the same result as birch pollen? I doubt it.

I do believe food allergies result from the same biological processes that cause food intolerances, namely permeable intestines that allow food proteins into the bloodstream, that get presented to the immune system. The immune system responds with either tolerance, IgE reaction (allergy) or IgA and/or IgG reaction (intolerance).

[tex]

I do believe food allergies result from the same biological processes that cause food intolerances, namely permeable intestines that allow food proteins into the bloodstream, that get presented to the immune system.

Actually, don't most food allergies initiate symptoms as soon as the food touches the lips and the mucosal tissue of the mouth (IgE-based reactions)? If that's true, then it isn't even necessary to swallow an antigen in order to trigger a classic allergic reaction. Therefore, intestinal permeability is probably irrelevant to allergic reactions, because it takes a significant amount of time for intestinal permeability to increase.

But of course, I could be wrong.

Tex

[Deb]

Thanks, all. Interesting stuff. Marliss, I am the hypothyroid Deb. I think I need to monitor the heart palps. I generally try to eat low carb and haven't narrowed down what all is causing them but probably should be paying closer attention. Deb