At-home food sensitivity tests

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Many people experience food sensitivities, which are immune responses to specific foods that can worsen or trigger a wide range of symptoms (1).

There are big differences in the types of foods that are tested, the cost, the methods used, and the support they provide for making changes after you receive your results.

We will take a look at a few of the tests and discuss how to choose the best one for you.

Though many people use the terms “food sensitivity,” “food allergy,” and “food intolerance” interchangeably, there are several important differences among them.

Food sensitivity

A food sensitivity is when your immune system reacts to a food.

Similar to food allergies, food sensitivities are believed to be caused by an immune reaction driven by antibodies such as immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin A (IgA), along with other cell-mediated reactions in the body (1, 2).

Food sensitivities are not life threatening, but they can cause unpleasant symptoms.

For example, non-celiac gluten sensitivity — a food sensitivity triggered by a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — has been linked to symptoms such as It was bloated., stomach ache, brain fog, depression, and skin inflammation (3).

Though more studies are needed on food sensitivities, research suggests that some people may be sensitive to other foods, including nightshade vegetables and lectins — a type of proteins found in many plant foods, such as legumes (4, 5, 6).

Food allergy

A food allergy is a type of immune response triggered by the proteins found in a specific food (7).

Many food allergies are mediated by increased production of an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). However, some types of food allergies may be caused by other types of immune reactions as well (7, 8).

Food allergies often cause symptoms such as digestive issues, hives, and swelling, which can occur within minutes of consuming an allergen (9).

Severe food allergies can also cause anaphylaxis, a very serious allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention (10).

Though it’s possible to be allergic to a variety of foods, the following foods account for about 90% of food allergies (11):

  • Milk and other dairy products are used.
  • Eggs.
  • There are peanuts.
  • fish
  • Shellfish.
  • wheat
  • The tree nuts are nuts.
  • “It’s soy.”
  • sesame

Food intolerance

A food sensitivity or a food allergy involve the immune system.

Food intolerances affect up to 20% of the population and occur when your body cannot digest a specific food. This is often due to a lack of certain enzymes required to break it down (12).

For example, lactose intolerance is a common food intolerance characterized by the inability to digest milk or dairy products, resulting in digestive issues like There is gas. and It was bloated. (13).

This occurs when your body doesn’t make enough lactase, which is the enzyme used to break down lactose into the simple sugars glucose and galactose (13).

Some other common sources of food intolerance are (14):

  • A type of sugar found in fruits.
  • It is a drug that has a lot of caffeine.
  • sulfites.
  • Food Additives include artificial colors.

Food sensitivity tests typically check how your immune system responds to different types of food.

A food sensitivity is driven by cell-mediated reactions and antibodies such as IgG, IgM, and IgA. On the other hand, an allergic reaction is often caused by IgE (2).

Many food allergy testing options require a referral from a doctor or other medical professional. There are several at- home tests that claim to identify food sensitivities.

Food sensitivity tests claim to help you discover which foods are triggering symptoms such as There is gas. and It was bloated.. Many of the testing companies offer actionable steps to help you reduce your symptoms.

Some tests can help determine how your body responds to certain ingredients.

“Though at- home tests can’t diagnose food sensitivities, they can be used with other testing methods to help you make changes to your diet.”

The tests are based on factors.

  • Sample collection. Collections can come from hair strands, cheek swabs, breath tests, or blood samples.
  • What they test. Tests offer a range of results, from food intolerances to your genetic response to food, exercise, and more.
  • Type of support. Not all companies offer support for making changes, but many of them offer customized information to help you improve your health.

Many at-home food sensitivity tests measure your body’s immune response to a variety of foods by testing the levels of certain antibodies in your blood, such as IgG or IgG4, after you are exposed to various food antigens (1).

However, some studies suggest that the presence of these antibodies may not be an accurate or reliable marker of a food sensitivity, especially because many other antibodies and cell-mediated reactions may be involved in food sensitivities (2, 15).

What’s more, multiple organizations have advised against the use of these tests to diagnose food sensitivities in past years, including the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (16, 17).

That being said, some at-home tests can help you understand how your body may respond to certain foods based on factors such as your genetic background (18).

Other at-home tests can detect food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, by measuring the amount of hydrogen in your breath after you consume lactose. This can help determine whether your body has properly digested the lactose (19).

A note on at-home food sensitivity tests

It is important to remember that at- home food sensitivity tests cannot detect or diagnose a food sensitivity.

They can be used with other testing methods and treatments recommended by a doctor or a dietitian to help make adjustments to your diet.

If you have unexplained symptoms or have a food sensitivity, it is best to consult a doctor or a nutrition expert.

They can help determine if you have a food allergy or food intolerance.

They may recommend an elimination diet, which involves removing potential trigger foods from your diet and reintroducing them slowly to determine which ones may contribute to your symptoms (20, 21).

The diet can be difficult to follow and should only be done by a registered dietitian or another medical professional.

While at- home food sensitivity tests are not recommended for diagnosis of food sensitivities, they may be useful for narrowing down potentialtrigger foods, especially when used with other treatments and testing methods such as an elimination diet.

Potential adverse reactions to foods include (22):

  • Excess There is gas. and bloated.
  • stomach ache and nausea.
  • There is a lot of diarrhea.
  • It is a problem of the colon.
  • Acid reflux or heartburn.
  • There is a rash.
  • There are There are headaches. and migraines.
  • There is a nose or a congestion.
  • fatigue

The science behind the test was just one factor.

  • Comprehensive testing. We looked for companies that offer comprehensive testing and considered what support the company offers after you receive your results.
  • Result speed. We selected tests that deliver results in a reasonable amount of time.
  • Reputation. We chose products based on customer reviews and experience.
  • Cost. We considered the pricing for the initial test and any ongoing fees or upsells.

Why you should trust us

We updated our list of the most popular at- home food sensitivity, allergy, and intolerance tests to reflect what we believe to be a better solution for our audience.

The products listed below have all passed our vetting process and been approved by Healthline’s team of medical experts.

Healthline experts looked at the methodology behind each test as part of the vetting process. Several tests failed our vetting process and were removed from our list because they relied on the IgA responses to foods.

This methodology is not specific enough to provide accurate recommendations on which foods you may be sensitive to, because your body makes IgG antibodies to all foods (1, 23).

While at- home food sensitivity tests are not recommended, some types of tests can help you understand how your body responds to certain foods so you can make changes to your diet, especially when used alongside other testing methods.

The following tests are worth considering as part of a nutrition care plan.

Best lab-certified

myLAB Box

  • Price: $149
  • Sample type: finger prick
  • Results time frame: 2–5 business days

The Food Sensitivity Test from myLAB Box can be used to identify immune reactions to 96 common foods and can be done in 2–5 days.

The test measures your blood levels of several antibodies to determine how your immune system reacts to certain foods.

“It can offer valuable insights to help you make changes to your diet, though it doesn’t test for all the antibodies or cell-mediated reactions that can be used to diagnose a food sensitivity.”

You can view your lab-certified results in a matter of days after you submit your testing kit.

If you purchase a product that does not include follow-up counseling, you should bring your results to a healthcare professional for additional guidance.

Pros

  • Results are provided very quickly.
  • It identifies reactions to 96 common foods.
  • “It’s “It’s easy to take.”.”

Cons

  • It is not possible to identify food sensitivities.
  • “Doesn’t offer follow-up counseling with a healthcare professional”
Shop now at myLAB Box

Best if you already took a DNA test

Vitagene

  • Price: $149
  • Sample type: cheek swab
  • Results time frame: 4–6 weeks

The Health + Ancestry Report by Vitagene tests your DNA to see how your genetics influence your health. It provides information on how your body may respond to gluten, lactose, It is a drug that has a lot of caffeine., alcohol, carbs, fat, and sodium.

You can use raw data from a previous DNA test from MyHeritage for your health report, even if the ancestry report is not included.

You will be given a personal online coach by Vitagene to help you work on changes based on the information you get from your test.

It is not possible to identify food sensitivities based on genetics, so keep that in mind.

It is necessary to conduct further research on the accuracy and reliability of this type of test, and only in conjunction with other testing methods.

The company may try to sell you supplements based on the results of your DNA test.

Pros

  • “It’s “It’s easy to take.”.”

Cons

  • It is not possible to identify food sensitivities.
  • A less comprehensive health report is what it provides.
  • may take several weeks for results to come back
Shop now at Vitagene

Best for meal planning assistance

DNAfit

  • Price: $189
  • Sample type: saliva swab
  • Results time frame: 10–15 business days

The Diet Fit plan from DNAfit includes reports with information on how your genetics may affect the way your body responds to certain foods.

“This test doesn’t identify specific food sensitivities, but it can offer valuable insights to help you make adjustments to your diet.”

Your purchase includes access to a personalized meal plan and recipe platform based on your food preferences and genetics.

The company has a money-back satisfaction guarantee. Additional options for working with fitness professionals are offered by DNAfit.

The raw DNA file from a previous test can be used by 23andMe users.

Pros

  • Meal plans based on your results.
  • provides results fairly quickly

Cons

  • It is not possible to identify food sensitivities.
  • It is expensive.
Shop now at DNAfit

If you suspect you have a food sensitivity, it is important to talk with a healthcare professional to rule out other causes.

Food intolerances are generally caused by an inability to digest a specific food due to a lack of certain digestive enzymes (12).

Common food intolerances include lactose and fructose, both of which are generally diagnosed using a breath test.

There is a home-based option for food sensitivities that you can try.

Healthline’s pick of the best at-home food intolerance test

FoodMarble AIRE

  • Price: $179
  • Sample type: breath test
  • Results time frame: immediate (but requires consistent tracking)

The FoodMarble AIRE is a personal breath test device.

It works by testing fermentation and hydrogen levels after you eat food. These can be used to determine whether your body has difficulty digesting certain sugars, such as lactose or fructose (24).

This test requires more work than other types of tests, and you will need to use the device and track food and health behaviors in the app.

FoodMarble AIRE makes it easy to track trends over time to better understand how your body responds to certain foods.

You can make changes to your diet with the help of a healthcare professional and the data from the test.

Pros

  • Provides results immediately.
  • Track trends over time to identify food sensitivities.

Cons

  • You need to take multiple readings and use the app to monitor trends, which requires more time commitment than other tests.
Shop now at FoodMarble

It is important to rule out food allergies, which can be more severe than a food sensitivity or intolerance.

Food allergies can cause several serious symptoms, including hives, itching, swelling, and digestive issues (7).

In some cases, food allergies may also lead to anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening (10).

When testing for food allergies, a doctor will collect information about your symptoms, diet, and medical history.

Certain tests are commonly used to diagnose a food allergy, such as (25):

  • Skin tests. This type of test involves pricking your skin with a probe that contains a small amount of food allergen and monitoring your reaction.
  • Blood tests. This test helps determine whether you are allergic to specific foods by measuring the amounts of certain antibodies in your blood.
  • Oral food challenge. This procedure involves consuming small amounts of a suspected allergen under the supervision of a doctor. Emergency equipment and medication must be kept on hand in case of a severe reaction.

Some at- home food allergy tests may need a referral from a doctor.

You can order food allergy tests online from companies like Labcorp, which will allow you to view your results online after you give a blood sample.

Healthline’s pick of the best at-home food allergy test

Labcorp Food Allergy Test

  • Price: $199
  • Sample type: blood sample
  • Results time frame: not disclosed online

This food allergy test can be used to determine if you have a food allergy.

“You can provide a blood sample at any Labcorp location if you have aRequisition number, which you receive after you buy the test on the company’s website.”

You can view your test results on the Labcorp patient portal and download an official report if you need further guidance.

Pros

  • Results can be viewed online.
  • A report for sharing results with a healthcare professional.

Cons

  • relatively It is expensive.
  • A blood sample is required at a Labcorp location.
Shop now at Labcorp OnDemand

Quest Diagnostics Food Allergy Test Panel

  • Price: $209 plus $6 physician fee
  • Sample type: blood sample
  • Results time frame: not disclosed online

The panel tests for 15 common allergens by measuring levels of IgE antibodies in your blood.

It is recommended for those who experience mild allergy symptoms after eating certain foods but not for those with more severe symptoms, such as dizziness, swelling of the throat or airways.

You can schedule an appointment at a patient service center to get a blood sample after purchasing the test online. You can access your results online using a secure patient portal called MyQuest.

You should review your results with a healthcare professional after taking this test.

Pros

  • It is easy to access and understand results with the patient portal.
  • You can share your results with a healthcare professional.

Cons

  • A blood sample is required at a patient service center.
  • Not suitable for people with severe allergy symptoms.
  • Not available in Arkansas, Arizona or Hawaii.
  • relatively It is expensive.
Shop now at QuestDirect

Interested in other options for at-home testing?

Our reviews and brand comparisons cover top at-home testing kits, so you can feel confident in your decision to manage your health from home.

Here is a quick look at how our top picks compare.

Type Cost Sample collection Results time frame
myLAB Box food sensitivity test $149 finger prick 2–5 business days
Vitagene food sensitivity test $149 cheek swab 4–6 weeks
DNAfit food sensitivity test $189 saliva swab 10–15 business days
FoodMarble AIRE food intolerance test $179 breath test immediate (requires consistent tracking)
Labcorp Food Allergy Test food allergy test $199 blood sample not disclosed online
Quest Diagnostics Food Allergy Test Panel food allergy test $209 + $6 fee blood sample not disclosed online

Some at- home testing kits can provide valuable insights to help you make changes to your diet, but there are many cases in which you may need to see a doctor.

If you suspect you have a food allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance, it is best to consult a doctor or a nutrition therapist to determine the best course of treatment.

Potential adverse reactions to foods include (2):

  • stomach ache
  • It was bloated.
  • There is gas.
  • There is a lot of diarrhea. or It is a problem of the colon.
  • There is a rash.
  • There are headaches.
  • fatigue

Additionally, if you experience serious symptoms of an allergic reaction — such as swelling of the throat, tingling of the mouth, dizziness, or difficulty breathing — you should seek immediate medical attention (7).

Are food sensitivity tests covered by insurance?

No. Insurance does not cover most at- home food sensitivity tests.

Food sensitivity tests can be covered by your insurance, but they are not guaranteed.

How often should you get tested?

Over time, food sensitivities can change. If you notice changes in symptoms, you can be tested sooner.

Can an at-home food sensitivity test diagnose a food allergy?

You still need to have a healthcare professional review your results to make sure you have a food allergy, even if you have a home testing kit.

Many at- home testing kits can be used to help evaluate how your body responds to certain foods.

If you suspect you have a food sensitivity, it is best to consult a healthcare professional like a doctor or a dietitian.

A professional can help you determine the best course of treatment and give you guidance on necessary changes to your diet.