{"id":672,"date":"2022-01-26T15:53:04","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T15:53:04","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-10-10T00:12:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T16:12:17","slug":"what-is-an-igg-food-sensitivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-is-an-igg-food-sensitivity\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is An IgG Food Sensitivity?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eating foods you\u2019re sensitive to can cause you great discomfort. It\u2019s important to understand the difference between an IgG food sensitivity and an IgE food allergy, because IgE and IgG food reactions differ greatly from each other.<\/p>\n

A food allergy involves an immunologic hypersensitivity (IgE reaction). This means that a food allergy relates to an Immunoglobulin E (IgE) reaction. This type of food reaction is typically an immediate, severe response to a substance you\u2019re allergic to that has entered the body.<\/p>\n

A food sensitivity involves an immunologic delayed reaction to food. These are IgG and IgA reactions. When you have a food sensitivity, the symptoms will be much less severe than a food allergy<\/a>, and often have a delayed onset rather than experiencing the symptoms immediately after eating the food. When you have an IgG food sensitivity, this type of food reaction is from an Immunoglobulin G (IgG) reaction, where food sensitivity symptoms are less severe than food allergy symptoms, but can last longer.<\/p>\n

The IgG antibodies can cause inflammatory processes in the body. IgE food reactions, however, are food allergy reactions that can cause severe itching, hives, and swelling. The latter can require immediate medical attention, while an IgG food sensitivity typically just causes at-home discomfort.<\/p>\n

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What Exactly is an IgG Food Sensitivity?<\/h2>\n

To understand what an IgG food sensitivity is, you first have to understand what immunoglobulins are. Immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) are proteins made by our immune system to help us fight antigens such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins. These antibodies are able to respond to other foreign substances entering our bodies such as dust, pollen, and food ingredients.<\/p>\n

Our bodies make different immunoglobulins to combat different antigens or \u201cinvaders\u201d. There are 5 classes of immunoglobulins, and IgG is one of them. IgG (Immunoglobulin G) food reactions are delayed food reactions. They are most often referred to as \u201cfood sensitivities\u201d.<\/p>\n

Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies to certain foods contribute to the delayed-response food intolerances. These are different from IgE-mediated food allergies, as you don\u2019t have the severe, immediate reaction, and the symptoms are far more diverse.<\/p>\n

Testing for IgG reactivity generally involves an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. You receive a blood collection kit for a finger prick or shoulder prick blood sample, which is collected by a tiny absorbent \u201cwand\u201d. You then send your sample back to the lab so it can be tested by experts.<\/p>\n

In the lab, your blood is exposed to antigens from potential allergenic foods to determine whether there is a reaction. If so, your antibodies will bind to the foods\u2019 antigens.<\/p>\n

Possible Symptoms of a Food Sensitivity<\/h2>\n

Before you get an IgG food sensitivity test (IgG reactivity test) done on yourself, you might already suspect a food sensitivity due to regularly experiencing certain uncomfortable symptoms.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of a food sensitivity can take place immediately after you eat the food you\u2019re sensitive to, or up to 72 hours after eating the problematic food. Symptoms of an food sensitivity reaction can include the following:<\/p>\n