Food intolerance tests: fact or fad?

Have you ever felt confused by conflicting advice about food intolerances? Unfortunately, a market full of invalid food intolerance tests has emerged, capitalising on the uncertainty around food intolerances. These tests often lack scientific evidence and clinical relevance. So no matter how persuasive their marketing might be, they likely won’t serve you well.¹

We’ve said it a million times before, and we’ll say it again: at Chuckling Goat, we are all about the SCIENCE! So lets dive into it…

What are food intolerances?

Food intolerances are when your body has difficulty digesting certain foods, leading to uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or stomach pain. Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system and can cause severe reactions, food intolerances are usually less serious and more related to digestive issues. Common triggers include lactose in dairy, gluten in wheat, and certain food additives. Identifying and managing food intolerances often involves paying attention to how your body reacts to different foods and possibly eliminating or reducing the intake of problematic ones.²³ It’s also important to consider strategies like reintroducing these foods in small amounts, or ‘microdosing,’ to gradually teach your body to tolerate them again.

Can you develop food intolerances?

Food intolerances can develop at any stage of life, even to foods you’ve previously eaten without any issues. This can be triggered by various factors, including:

Changes in your digestive system
A natural decline in enzymes like lactase (needed to break down lactose)
Gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in the gut microbiome)
Following gastrointestinal infections or surgeries.
Stress, diet, and lifestyle changes can also play a role in the development of intolerances or sensitivities.⁴

Dysbiosis occurs when harmful bacteria in the gut outnumber the beneficial ones, disrupting your digestive system’s ability to properly process certain foods. This imbalance can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort, making your gut more sensitive to foods that previously caused no problems. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, dental infections or a UTI, or are concerned about gut dysbiosis, get tested! Check out the Chuckling Goat Microbiome Test here.

Diagnosing food intolerances

When it comes to diagnosing food intolerances, it’s important to note that scientists have yet to develop a reliable test – lactose intolerance being the rare exception. Currently, the only validated tests are those that detect IgE food allergies (not intolerances).⁵⁶ Some of the most common invalid tests to be wary of include IgG tests⁷, hair analysis, and eye analysis (iridology). These tests often use scientific terminology that can sound convincing, especially to those without a scientific background.

IgG food intolerance tests

Food intolerance tests often measure IgG antibodies, which reflect exposure to foods rather than actual intolerance.⁸ This can lead to false positives and unnecessary dietary restrictions. There’s limited scientific evidence to support the use of IgG tests for diagnosing food intolerances, and most medical communities don’t recommend them. IgG antibodies typically indicate regular exposure to foods, not adverse reactions, making these tests unreliable for identifying true intolerances.

The result? Clients are often handed a long list of foods to avoid. This reduction in dietary diversity can lead to a decrease in microbiome diversity, which is essential for gut health. When you consistently avoid certain foods, your gut’s ability to digest and break them down can diminish, as the production of specific enzymes may decrease due to lack of exposure. This can impair nutrient absorption and overall digestive efficiency.⁹

The real catch is that by cutting out these foods, you might inadvertently create food sensitivities or intolerances by reducing your gut’s resilience and adaptability over time. This can lead to a vicious cycle: you cut out foods, which reduces gut diversity, leading to new food sensitivities or intolerances. In response, you cut out even more foods, which further reduces diversity and perpetuates the cycle. Sound familiar? Breaking this cycle can be challenging and may leave you with a more limited and nutritionally deficient diet.

Are restrictive diets the answer?

In a nutshell – restrictive diets can EXACBERATE food sensitivities. Avoid the mistake of restricting your diet to manage gut symptoms. Instead, focus on identifying sensitivities by listening to your body and using a food diary, work on resolving any underlying gut issues or dysbiosis, and gradually reintroduce foods to support tolerance and maintain a healthy, diverse gut microbiome.

Check out Shopping for plant diversity – 4 easy tips and Is our NEW Microbiome Test right for you?.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.