At Smartblood, we’re delighted to be able to offer our most comprehensive food intolerance test at a market leading price, thanks to a new research grant.
With around 45%* of the UK population thought to be living with a food intolerance, we believe passionately in being able to get clear information about your health to help empower you to make the right dietary choices.
Thanks to research funding we are able to make our full food intolerance test programme, which tests for reactions to 134 food and drinks and includes a nutritional consultation, available at just £99.75 instead of £249.75 – this places our quality ELISA based testing in the same price range as some of the less accurate tests available on the internet.
What is a food intolerance?
Food intolerances are often confused with food allergies but the two are very different. Food allergies are an instant, and often severe, immune response. A common example is the reaction some people have to peanuts. These reactions can be life threatening and are often present from birth.
Food intolerances are a more delayed response and happen when your body struggles to digest a particular food. As it tries to process the ingredient, your body produces IgG antibodies, mistaking the food as a threat. This response can cause inflammation in the body, triggering a host of unwanted symptoms.
It’s not uncommon to experience the symptoms of a food intolerance up to 72 hours after eating a problem food. This can make it very difficult and frustrating to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.
What are the symptoms of food intolerance?
The symptoms of food intolerance can vary widely from person to person. While not as severe as an allergy, food intolerances can still be a huge source of pain and discomfort for many people. Common symptoms associated with food intolerance include:
- Bloating
- IBS
- Migraines
- Skin rashes and eczema
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Arthritis and joint pain
Testing for food intolerances
When it comes to your diet, trying to pinpoint exactly what is causing you to feel unwell can be a frustrating and time-consuming task.
Because reactions are often delayed, something you ate for breakfast might not cause problems for you until lunchtime the next day, making it very difficult to identify the trigger.
We’re proud to offer a comprehensive test which removes the guesswork. Our full food intolerance programme tests for IgG reactions to 134 foods and drinks, giving you the clear results you need to remove and replace the foods that cause you problems.
As well as the test result, our programme also includes a 30-minute telephone consultation with a qualified nutritional therapist to talk through your results and give you guidance on making the right changes to your diet.
Different types of food intolerance test on the market
There are many alternative options available online which claim to test for food intolerances, but they are not all scientifically accurate.
From hair strand tests to a bio-resonance method called VEGA which involves measuring electromagnetic currents, it’s common to find these types of tests on discount websites at very low prices. Although they may be tempting to try, they do not have any true scientific basis and will not give you accurate results.
Can I get a food intolerance test from my doctor?
The NHS doesn’t currently offer food intolerance testing. The recommendation they offer is to try an elimination diet. This involves removing foods one by one to identify the cause of the problem.
This method can be very time consuming and it’s hard to know where to begin. It’s also common for people to experience reactions to more than one food. So, you might finally discover that tomatoes have been causing you problems and stop there, when there’s something else also causing reactions.
This is why food intolerance tests have become a popular option for people wanting to cut out the guesswork and take control of their health.
Finding a reputable provider of food intolerance testing
There are lots of options available for food intolerance testing but not all providers are equal. It’s important to choose a company that meets a few important criteria. When researching who to choose, a good rule of thumb is to look for a company that:Uses rigorous, scientific ELISA testing for IgG antibodies Offers follow up aftercare to support you with your results Works with BANT-registered nutritional therapists Provides meaningful, accessible results
There are a variety of food intolerance testing companies offering home-to-laboratory testing kits. The price of tests from some providers can be very expensive.
Thanks to recent research funding made available to Smartblood, we’re delighted to be able to offer our most popular and comprehensive test and aftercare support at the market-leading price of £99.75.