The most common forms of food allergy testing are skin scratch testing and Radioallergosorbent tests. Other, less invasive methods that rely on the principles of energy and radionics, are not yet scientifically proven.
Food allergies can cause health problems such as headaches, eczema, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and even depression. For more information on food allergies, see Food Allergies: A General Overview.
Skin-Prick Testing for Food Allergies
In her article Adverse Food Reactions (BBC Health, 2007), Dr Adrian Morris lists two main ways of testing for food allergies: a skin-prick test and a RAST (radioallergosorbent test) on a blood sample.
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, a skin prick test can be done in a doctor's office and is usually cheaper than a RAST. A drop of the test substance is placed on the patient's forearms or back. The doctor then pricks the skin with a needle, so that a tiny amount of the substance enters the skin. If an allergy to that substance is present, a wheal (a bump similar in appearance to a mosquito bite) forms at the site within approximately 15 minutes.
Radioallergosorbent Tests and Other Food Allergy Tests
Dr. Morris explains that the more expensive RAST test requires a blood sample, which is sent to a medical laboratory. At the laboratory, tests are done with specific foods to look for the presence of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to that food.
In Testing for Allergies (BBC Health, 2007), Dr. Morris also mentions other tests that measure the presence of different chemicals in the blood other than IgE. These include the Cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST), the Histamine release test, and the Serum Tryptase test.
Other, less invasive methods of food allergy testing are also available. People who suspect a food allergy may be drawn to these methods when conventional medical testing has failed to give a conclusive result. Unfortunately these are not as rigorously tested, with testimonials forming the bulk of the evidence for their efficacy.
Acupuncture Points and Food Allergy Testing
Based on an understanding of the body as energy, Bio-Electronic Regulatory Medicine is a method of food allergy testing that uses the acupuncture points in the fingers and toes. Resistance in the body to each food substance is tested through the use of a machine. It is a non-invasive, painless method of testing. Results on over 150 foods and 50 environmental substances are given.
However, the accuracy of BERM is not borne out by scientific research. According to a study by G.T. Lewis et al, the efficacy of Vegatesting, a type of bio-electronic or bio-energy regulatory technique, does not correlate with skin prick testing and so should not be used to diagnose these allergies.
Allergy Testing Using Hair Samples
The Bionetics test analyzes the underlying causes of health problems, using an electronic machine and the principles of radionics. The patient’s hair sample is analysed to look for food allergies or simply to provide a general health check. Nutrition, herbs, homeopathy and diet are then recommended to improve the state of health and bring the body back to ‘homeostasis’.
The efficacy of Bionetics was called into question following two complaints in 2006. Bionetics were found by the Advertising Standards Authority to lack “robust clinical evidence” for the claim that their hair analysis tests could identify food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies and toxicity levels. The ASA judged that testimonials, as found on the Bionetics website, were not enough to prove their accuracy.
While more alternative methods of food allergy testing are often popular, the most reliable food allergy tests are the skin-prick and blood sample tests. Where immunoglobulin antibodies cannot be detected, other tests investigate the presence of different chemicals in the blood.
References
Lewis GT et al (2001). Is Electrodermal Testing as Effective as Skin Prick Tests for Diagnosing Allergies? A Double Blind, Randomised Block Design Study. British Journal of Medicine 322:131-134, 2001.
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Do You Have a Food Allergy? Brochure distributed at health fairs across the U.S.
Hayley Nichols - I am a freelance writer of non-fiction as well as a fiction writer. Most of my work is published under my name 'Morgan Nichols'. I have a ...
