Food intolerance tests have had some much-needed evolution over the years, and this has enabled them to be more cost-effective and more accurate, which is great for those looking for answers to their digestive-related problems. If you’re looking for some support when it comes to getting the actual test, though, it could be helpful to understand what the options are and how you should choose between them. Here’s what you’ll want to know about each kind of test.
The options for food intolerance tests
While there are other test options, these ones tend to be more accessible and most accurate ones for many kinds of intolerances.
- Dietician and symptom logging: The classic option, this one involves talking to a dietician or nutritional specialist that is familiar with your medical history and your intolerance suspicions. They’ll help you to put together a healthy and stable diet that is going to remove all problem foods from it and detox your body. Once that is done, you’ll carefully start adding in problem foods and log any symptoms you have. This is done with each food, one at a time, to get the most accurate results. From there, you’ll know what foods cause what reaction and how to eliminate them from your diet long-term to keep yourself symptom-free.
- Hair sample test: A newer option uses hair samples to test in a lab against common intolerances. With this kind of test, you’ll order a hair sample kit that will be mailed directly to you. You’ll follow the kit’s instructions and send the sample back for testing in a lab. The results of that will be emailed to you with the intolerances listed and even how severe they are.
- Blood sample test: This works much the same as the above option, except it uses a blood sample instead of a hair sample. In this case, the blood sample is taken via finger pricks and mailed off. While hair is tested through bioresonance, blood is done through the level of the IgE antibodies in the blood. The accurate of the results will be the same, and you’ll still get the emailed results and suggestions in the same amount of time. It just relies on a blood sample instead of a hair sample.
What test should I choose?
Figuring out which of the food intolerance tests is right for you can seem tricky, but all it takes is thinking about which of these options sounds the best for you.
When speed and accuracy are your determining factors, a hair or blood sample test is going to give you the best of both (as well as support on adjusting your diet). If you like the thought of working with a nutritional specialist that knows your medical history and file, you might want to consider the logging option. Some use a combination of these in order to have a double confirmation, even.
Whatever you decide to choose, you’ll be much more in the know about your food intolerances, and that is always going to be a good thing for your overall health.
