Food intolerance tests - interesting results!

[Meljane]

Not really a condition as such, but wanted to share my food intolerance test results and find out if people generally put much faith in these things.  I always thought the tests were a bit flaky, and my GP also said as much, although she agreed that there was a lot of truth in the results, however flaky the science that they were derived from!

 

I had the blood taken about a month ago, when I was planning to do the Whole30 and reading up about stuff.  I have been paleo (or paleo on-and-off with the odd cheat) for about 4 years, when we discovered it whilst researching how to make our IVF cycles more successful.  After lots of surgeries, miscarriages and 4 failed IVFs, we were ready to start taking control of our own progress and to try things that the doctors had overlooked.  My Vit D level was in my boots (8) so we both started 1000iui Vit D per day and started paleo, 3 months later we did our 3rd cycle of IVF and now have a 3 year old son    

 

Then when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last November, we knew that I had to look at diet again and get back to taking it seriously.  I've had a catalogue of autoimmune issues since getting glandular fever at 18, although it is my husband that made the link between all the various illnesses, not the medical profession.  It's taken me until now to fully grasp the benefits of paleo to autoimmune disease and MS, and I wanted to see if the medical tests reinforced what I already knew about the optimal diet for me.  And yes, we were right.  The test results came back to show that I have a high intolerance for wheat, soya and dairy.  As well as mushrooms, kidney beans and oranges (slightly weird and I don't get the science between those last three).  So that has reinforced my views on the Whole30!

 

That's all I wanted to say really - listen to your body.  I knew just by my reaction to these foods that I was intolerant, and 16 days of Whole30 have already shown me what a difference it makes to cut out the grains, dairy, sugar and rubbish completely.  

[Tom Denham]

I don't trust food intolerance testing, but I would not argue with them unless I was feeling great.

 

Have you discovered Terry Wahls, MD? This book by her is great: 

Minding My Mitochondria 2nd Edition: How I overcame secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and got out of my wheelchair. Paperback – April 1, 2010

by Terry L. Wahls  (Author), Tom Nelson (Illustrator)

   155 customer reviews

[AuntJane]

Thanks for sharing this, Meljane.  So glad to hear you're taking control of your health, and about your son!

 

I am not allergic to any foods, but I assume a food intolerance test is different from an allergy test?

[Meljane]

Thanks Tom.  Yes - I have Terry Wahl's book.  It was her experience that we found first of all, when we were researching optimal health for IVF success, long before I knew I had MS myself.  How ironic that 3 years later I was joining the MS club myself!  (Although I am convinced that with the right nutrition I can hold it at bay without meds).  Inspiring woman, although I think her marketing / branding makes her look a bit flaky, which is a shame.

 

Auntjane - food intolerance is totally different to allergy so I understand the testing is different.  All I know is that when I stopped eating grains and soya, my health got better and we had our son.  Once I fell off the wagon, my symptoms returned to the extent that I was then diagnosed with MS.  Returning to no grains, dairy, soya, sugar and I feel amazing, all the symptoms have disappeared (eczema, stomach issues, bloating, inflammation etc) have disappeared, as have my MS symptoms.  At the end of the day, the modern medical profession believes the tests - so if the test results align to what I already know, then I can get more support from the doctors.  Unfortunately until they start seeing autoimmunity and inflammation as one whole issue, rather than lots of different illnesses, we need to learn to become our own medical advocates.

[Karen]

I had a similar test a few years back and 20+ items appeared. As I eliminated and retested, all but maybe 2 items caused noticeable issues. Eliminating these items permanently gave me a significant increase in quality of life that had been missing for several years due to a really painful condition. In addition, 40 pounds just fell off. I had been told I was carrying around a significant amount of water weight a year before, and eliminating the irritating foods allowed my body to stop hanging onto it.

I wholeheartedly believe the testing can be most helpful, and I 100% believe in the test from the company my doctor used. Allergy testing the year before showed absolutely nothing.

All the best to you as you manage and take control of your health!

[Susiek]

Karen, may I ask what company you and your doctor used to test? I'm about to get tested and want the most reputable company.

[Karen]

It was US Biotek. My functional doctor runs that test often from what I understand. Good luck!

[Deb.]

Karen, may I ask what company you and your doctor used to test? I'm about to get tested and want the most reputable company.

 

SusieK, the one most often recommended to me by nutritionists and NDs as being the most sensitive is Cyrex Labs. 

 

https://www.cyrexlabs.com/

[Deb.]

Not really a condition as such, but wanted to share my food intolerance test results and find out if people generally put much faith in these things.  I always thought the tests were a bit flaky, and my GP also said as much, although she agreed that there was a lot of truth in the results, however flaky the science that they were derived from!

 

I had the blood taken about a month ago, when I was planning to do the Whole30 and reading up about stuff.  I have been paleo (or paleo on-and-off with the odd cheat) for about 4 years, when we discovered it whilst researching how to make our IVF cycles more successful.  After lots of surgeries, miscarriages and 4 failed IVFs, we were ready to start taking control of our own progress and to try things that the doctors had overlooked.  My Vit D level was in my boots (8) so we both started 1000iui Vit D per day and started paleo, 3 months later we did our 3rd cycle of IVF and now have a 3 year old son    

 

Then when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last November, we knew that I had to look at diet again and get back to taking it seriously.  I've had a catalogue of autoimmune issues since getting glandular fever at 18, although it is my husband that made the link between all the various illnesses, not the medical profession.  It's taken me until now to fully grasp the benefits of paleo to autoimmune disease and MS, and I wanted to see if the medical tests reinforced what I already knew about the optimal diet for me.  And yes, we were right.  The test results came back to show that I have a high intolerance for wheat, soya and dairy.  As well as mushrooms, kidney beans and oranges (slightly weird and I don't get the science between those last three).  So that has reinforced my views on the Whole30!

 

That's all I wanted to say really - listen to your body.  I knew just by my reaction to these foods that I was intolerant, and 16 days of Whole30 have already shown me what a difference it makes to cut out the grains, dairy, sugar and rubbish completely.  

 

The Wahls Protocol is great but I'd recommend that you transition into the Auto Immune Protocol after your Whole 30, and then on to Wahls. 

See this post for a lot of great info on AIP. 

I have a similar condition to MS, kind of a rare evil cousin, and it has worked wonders for my energy levels and overall well being. 

 

http://forum.whole9life.com/topic/21809-a-few-questions-about-autoimmunity/?p=230229

 

Also have you read all the stuff about LDN? I know you want to stay drug free, but as drugs go, many are much worse, and the research is quite interesting.