Food Sensitivity Testing in Toronto
Do you suspect that certain foods may be causing uncomfortable symptoms, but you're unsure which ones? Food sensitivities can trigger a wide range of issues beyond digestion, including skin problems, fatigue, migraines, brain fog, and joint pain. At NDcare, our Toronto naturopath helps patients identify hidden food triggers through personalized testing and functional nutrition strategies.
What Is a Food Sensitivity?
Unlike immediate allergic reactions, food sensitivities often cause delayed symptoms that can appear hours or even days after eating a reactive food. This makes them harder to identify without a structured approach.
Common symptoms of food sensitivities include:
- Gas, bloating, and indigestion
- Headaches and migraines
- Brain fog or mood changes
- Skin issues such as rashes or eczema
- Fatigue or feeling run down
- Joint pain or muscle stiffness
How We Identify Food Sensitivities
At NDcare, we use two main approaches to identify problematic foods:
1. Elimination Diet (Functional Testing)
Your naturopath will guide you through a structured elimination and reintroduction plan. You'll avoid specific foods for a set period, then reintroduce them one by one while tracking symptoms. This approach is cost-effective and highly individualized.
2. IgG Food Sensitivity Test (Lab Testing)
This blood test measures IgG antibodies in response to specific foods. A sample is sent to Rocky Mountain Analytical, a LifeLabs affiliate. Foods that trigger IgG reactions may cause low-grade inflammation and delayed symptoms across various body systems:
- Digestive: Bloating, gas, abdominal pain
- Skin: Rashes, redness, itching
- Respiratory: Asthma, chronic cough
- Neurological: Fatigue, foggy thinking, mood shifts
- Musculoskeletal: Joint or muscle pain
What Happens After Testing?
Once your food sensitivities are identified, your Toronto naturopath will:
- Provide a clear, easy-to-follow food removal and substitution plan
- Recommend targeted therapies to repair the gut and reduce inflammation
- Support long-term resilience so you may reintroduce some foods in the future
Start Your Healing Journey
Gut repair and inflammation reduction is what we do. If you’re tired of feeling unwell and suspect food may be the cause, let’s get to the root of it.
Book your appointment with Dr. Tara Andresen, a licensed Toronto naturopath, and take the first step toward feeling better - naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Sensitivity Testing
Q. What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?
A food allergy triggers an immediate immune reaction (like swelling, hives, or anaphylaxis), while a food sensitivity causes delayed symptoms that may appear hours or days after eating. Sensitivities are often harder to detect without testing or a guided elimination plan.
Q. What symptoms are linked to food sensitivities?
Food sensitivities may cause digestive issues (bloating, gas, diarrhea), headaches or migraines, skin problems, fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain. These symptoms often linger or fluctuate, making them difficult to trace to a specific food.
Q. Is IgG food sensitivity testing accurate?
IgG food testing identifies immune reactivity to specific foods. While not diagnostic of allergies, it is a useful tool for guiding elimination plans and identifying potential triggers — especially when used alongside a detailed health history.
Q. Can a naturopath help me reintroduce foods later?
Yes. Once inflammation is reduced and the gut is supported, many patients are able to tolerate previously reactive foods again. A naturopath can help guide reintroduction safely over time.
Do I need to stop eating all the foods on the test results?
Not necessarily. Your naturopath will interpret the test results in the context of your symptoms and health history. Some mild reactions may not require immediate removal, while others may be prioritized.
Q. How do I get started?
Book your free 15-minute consultation with our Toronto naturopath to learn more about testing and treatment options for food sensitivities.