Food Allergy vs. Food Sensitivity
Understanding how your body reacts to food is key to improving your energy, digestion, and overall health. While food allergies trigger immediate, IgE-driven immune responses, food sensitivities involve delayed IgG responses that can lead to ongoing inflammation and symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, or skin problems. IgG food sensitivity testing, such as the LifeLabs FST™ panel, can help identify hidden triggers and guide meaningful dietary changes—starting with a personalized consultation.
Understanding How Your Body Reacts to Food
Not all food reactions are the same
Food allergies are immediate and potentially serious reactions triggered by the immune system’s release of IgE antibodies to a specific food—like peanuts. Symptoms often occur within minutes and may include hives, breathing difficulties, or anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. A blood test can detect IgE antibodies that indicate a likely reaction, but it doesn’t measure the severity of the response.
Food sensitivities, on the other hand, develop more slowly—sometimes hours or days after eating —and involve IgG antibodies. This type of immune response is more subtle and delayed. When IgG antibodies form complexes with food antigens, the body may struggle to clear them. This ca lead to tissue inflammation and a range of symptoms such as fatigue, digestive issues, skin irritation, or joint pain.
If the reactive food remains in the diet, these immune complexes can continue to build up, increasing inflammation and worsening symptoms over time.
Should You Get Tested?
You may benefit from IgG food sensitivity testing if you experience:
Chronic fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes
Ongoing skin issues like rashes or eczema
Digestive problems including gas, bloating, or abdominal pain
Joint or muscle discomfort
Respiratory symptoms not linked to infection
Testing can help uncover hidden triggers and guide dietary changes for improved energy, digestion, and overall well-being
What Is an IgG Food Sensitivity Test?
We use the LifeLabs FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity Test, which measures your immune response to up to 211 common foods. This test helps identify foods that may be contributing to ongoing symptoms like bloating, joint pain, skin irritation, or fatigue.
Test Options Include:
Enhanced+ Panel – Tests 211 foods, ideal for those avoiding meat, wheat, or sugar.
Vegetarian+ Panel – Tests 166 foods, including dairy and eggs, excluding meat/fish.
Basic+ Panel – Tests 101 common foods including milk, eggs, wheat, and corn.
Not sure where to begin with food sensitivities or your wellness journey? We off a 30-minute consultation with Dr. Cindy Le. This initial consultation is designed to help you explore your symptoms, review your health history, and determine whether IgG food sensitivity testing or another approach is right for you.
It’s a supportive and informative session to help you gain clarity and choose the best path forward for your nutrition and overall well-being.