In recent years, the popularity of food intolerance tests has surged, with many people seeking answers to their digestive issues, bloating, and other discomforts. However, all of these tests lack scientific evidence and may lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions. Over the course of my work as a dietitian I have had so many tell me about the various ‘food intolerance tests’ they have had done, most often paying large sums of money for them. The most frustrating part was that quiet often these tests were offered by people working out of pharmacies which straight away gave the impression they were legitimate tests. In January 2018 The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland issued advice to all pharmacies that offering food intolerance testing in pharmacies, to diagnose food intolerance, is not appropriate. Thankfully since then I have noticed a change for the better but unfortunately these tests are still being offered by certain ‘health experts’ in other locations and there are also a variety of such tests available to purchase online. Keep reading if you want to know why you are better using your money on a nice handbag or pair of shoes….
1. Lack of Standardized Testing Methods:
One of the main concerns with food intolerance tests is the absence of standardized testing methods. Various companies offer different types of tests, including blood tests, hair analysis, rolling hands on bars, a finger prick of blood placed on a piece of cardboard or IgG antibody tests. No of these methods have any scientific evidence to support them and are not recognized by medical professionals as reliable indicators of food intolerance.
2. False Positives and Negatives:
Food intolerance tests often produce inconsistent and unreliable results. False positives (which means a test saying you are intolerant to something that you are in fact not intolerant to) and negatives (where the test says you are not intolerant but you actually are) are common, leading to confusion and unnecessary dietary restrictions. Generally when someone tells me they have had a food intolerance test done I could immediately pick at least 5 or 6 foods that they will definitely be told they are intolerant too. The same foods seem to be put on everyone’s list and then there will often be some weird & wonderful ones added for effect. I have spoke with other Dietitans about this over the years and we have all heard the same foods mentioned. This is a red flag straight away
3. Overly Restrictive Diets:
Relying on food intolerance test results can lead to unnecessarily restrictive diets. Eliminating entire food groups based on unreliable test outcomes can result in nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. This can have a negative impact on overall health and well-being, especially if essential nutrients are excluded without proper medical guidance. I have seen lists of highly nutritious foods people are told to avoid with no alternative options advised on to ensure their diet remains balanced
4. The Role of Placebo Effect:
It is important to acknowledge the placebo effect when discussing food intolerance tests. Believing that certain foods are causing discomfort can lead to a psychological response, where individuals experience symptoms even when consuming harmless foods. This can further complicate the identification of genuine food intolerances and hinder accurate diagnosis. If someone has paid a lot of money for a test and then cuts out a large number of foods, yes there is a chance one of the foods cut out may well have been causing an issue, but the body can also do a great job convincing itself that it is feeling better.
5. The Importance of Professional Medical Advice:
This is the most important point of all, if you have new symptoms of bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux or heartburn that are not settling after 1-2 weeks or unexplained weight loss or blood when passing a bowel motion you need to speak to your GP for an accurate diagnosis. Problems with your stomach or bowel can be caused by so many things and it is essential that all the proper medical tests are done to rule out any serious underlying medical issues. Once all the proper investigations have being done and if no serious issues have being found then onward referral to a CORU registered dietitian who has experience in stomach issues should be requested. The dietitian can then go through your dietary habits, usual intake, your symptoms and have often you get them and from there build a plan with you to find what might be causing your symptoms. Food intolerance can take a while to figure out and can involve trial and error, there is no quick fix but with the right support quite often a solution can be found and in my experience it might often only be one or 2 foods that are actually causing an issue and they may not even need to be completely avoided, the aim is to find how much & how often you can have those foods without them affecting your quality of life, all the while ensuring you are getting all the nutrients you need.
So, while food intolerance tests may seem appealing as a quick solution to digestive issues, it is essential to recognize their lack of scientific evidence and potential for misleading results. Relying on these tests can lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions, nutritional imbalances, and a failure to address genuine food intolerances. Seeking professional medical advice is the best course of action to accurately diagnose and manage food intolerances, ensuring a healthy and balanced approach to food and ensuring you are not left in a situation where you are avoiding so many foods it is affecting your quality of life.
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The information provided in this blog/newsletter is intended for healthy adults seeking general guidance on nutrition and healthy eating habits. It is important to note that the advice and recommendations provided are not a substitute for personalized, one-to-one advice from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian or physician. It is essential to consider your individual circumstances, preferences, and any specific dietary restrictions or allergies you may have when applying the information provided. We do not assume any liability for the use of the information provided in this newsletter. By accessing and utilizing this information, you acknowledge and agree that you are doing so at your own risk.
