Food Sensitivity Testing: Understanding the Role of Nutrition
What we eat can have a meaningful impact on how we feel physically, and our physical well-being can influence our mood, concentration, energy, and emotional regulation.
Sometimes parents notice patterns that raise questions.
Perhaps their teen frequently complains of stomachaches, experiences digestive discomfort, or doesn't seem to feel well after certain meals.
For children who are experiencing these concerns, it's worth considering whether there may be a food-related medical or digestive issue contributing to their discomfort.
I also offer access to the Machemehl Method Institute's blood-based food sensitivity panels, which measure IgG antibody responses to commonly consumed foods.
There are two testing options:
96-Food Panel: Measures IgG antibody responses to 96 foods.
184-Food Panel: Measures IgG antibody responses to a broader selection of 184 foods.
When families are interested in this testing, we begin by looking at the foods their child regularly eats and comparing them with the foods included in the panels. If the 96-food panel includes most of their everyday foods, we can discuss that option. For children with a more varied diet, we can review the additional foods included in the 184-food panel.
It's equally important to understand what these tests cannot tell us.
Food-specific IgG antibodies frequently reflect normal exposure to foods and do not reliably establish that a food is causing symptoms. Because of this, professional allergy organizations recommend against using IgG panels to diagnose food allergies or intolerances.
Results should not be used alone to justify eliminating foods from a child's diet. When symptoms suggest a possible food-related condition, consultation with a pediatrician, allergist, gastroenterologist, or registered dietitian can help determine which validated assessments or dietary strategies may be appropriate.
For growing children and teenagers, maintaining adequate nutrition is especially important.