Allergy Smarts - food intolerance test kits - Allergy test kits

Food intolerance is a broad term used to describe  both non-immune food reactions (1) and delayed-onset (IgG)/type III hypersensitivity immune reactions (2):

The non-immune food reactions are usually caused by the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance. For example, lack of the enzyme lactase causes lactose intolerance and lactose intolerance is a type of non-immune food intolerance. There is no single test that can identify all of the non-immune food intolerance reactions.  These reactions are usually discovered by a process of elimination.

IgG/Type III hypersensitivity reactions are another type of food intolerance, but unlike lactose intolerance, these intolerances result from an immune reaction.   When IgG reactions occur, the IgG antibody forms a complex with the food allergen.  The body sends macrophages to swallow up thse complexes and get rid of them.  Multiple food  allergies or frequent consumption of a particular food allergen can overwhelm your body's ability to eliminate these complexes.  When that happens, these complexes can deposit themselves in tissue.  The body sends cells called neutrophils, which can cause inflammation, to the areas around the immune complex. The inflammation caused by the neutrophils is what causes damage to tissue.  IgG immune complexes can affect almost any organ or tissue in the body, and are implicated in over 100 medical conditions and diseases.   Serious illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are known to be caused by IgG food intolerance reactions. IgG reactions are very common – occurring in approximately 1/3 of people or 2/3 of people with chronic illnesses. 

http://wikipedia.org/typeIIIhypersensitivity/IgG reactions

IgG antibodies form complexes with the food allergen and, if not immediately removed by macrophages, can be deposited in tissues.

The deposited IgG immune complexes trigger neutrophils (PMNs) to discharge their contents, which damage the surrounding tissues. The complexes may be deposited in a variety of tissues including skin, kidney and joints. Common examples of generalized type III reactions are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.