LifeLabs' test is typically offered through naturopaths or other health outlets, however, while Dynacare's food intolerance test is advertised and promoted directly to the consumer in its clinics. To test the accuracy of these food sensitivity tests, Marketplace ran several different kinds on host Charlsie Agro, including drawing blood for the IgG tests offered by Dynacare and Rocky Mountain Analytical, which is owned by LifeLabs.īoth tests require a requisition from a naturopathic doctor or licensed physician. "If these tests result in the harm of a child, we really gotta think twice about whether or not these labs should be offering these," he said. One young patient of his developed a milk allergy after eliminating it from his diet when a food sensitivity test suggested he had a milk intolerance. Removing foods from your diet could also lead to development of a food allergy, especially in children, says Mack. By unnecessarily eliminating foods, he says he sees "kids that are coming in with nutritional deficiencies, with failure to grow very well." Interpreting the test otherwise is not only incorrect, but potentially hazardous to your health, Mack argues. Douglas Mack is a pediatric allergy, asthma and immunology specialist. "It should be used to track whether a patient actually is developing tolerance, not intolerance," he said.ĭr. IgG tests measure levels of an antibody known as Immunoglobulin G - or IgG, for short. Douglas Mack, a pediatric allergy, asthma and immunology specialist, argues the results of an IgG test are an indication that you had exposure to the foods - not an intolerance of them. Sensitivities or intolerances, on the other hand, are not related to the immune system and often take hours, if not days, to take effect - and are therefore very difficult to diagnose. An allergy is an immediate, immune response, and foods like nuts and seafood are often known to cause allergic responses that can be life-threatening. The reports being generated by the IgG test taken by Chapnick and countless others are being grossly misinterpreted, critics say.įood sensitivities are different from food allergies. Two of Canada's biggest labs, Dynacare and LifeLabs, promote and offer something known as IgG food tests at their labs, marketed as a way to test for food sensitivities.īut medical experts, including the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI), call IgG tests for food sensitivities "unvalidated," and more than two dozen organizations warn about the misuse of such tests. And with food sensitivity tests specifically ranging in cost from more than $100 to nearly $400, companies are cashing in on the craze. The value of the global food allergy and sensitivity industry is expected to hit a whopping $24.8 billion US by 2020. Friday on CBC TV or online.Ĭhapnick is not alone. Also on Marketplace this week: Investigating the rise of 'tech abuse' and the truth about popular (and pricey) 'teatoxes.' Watch at 8 p.m."I felt like a prisoner in my own head almost," Chapnick said, "and became very obsessive, trying to figure out what can I eat." Grocery shopping and eating quickly became a challenge. "These food tests scared me into believing that whatever I put in my mouth was toxic." "These tests scared the crap out of me," she said. Many were foods she had been eating regularly, including corn, potatoes, peanuts, wheat, milk and eggs. Within weeks, she received a report outlining 26 foods she should reduce or eliminate altogether. She was there for other blood tests and an ultrasound. Laura Chapnick decided to ask for an IgG blood test for food sensitivities after seeing an ad in a Dynacare clinic.
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