Why so sensitive?
“I think there was something wrong with the food –
I’m not feeling so well.”
“Really? I feel fine.”
Sound familiar? If this is a frequent complaint and you’ve ruled out food poisoning and stomach viruses, you may have a food sensitivity. So how do you pinpoint the culprit or culprits? The simplest way is the ALCAT test. And you don’t even need to study.
The ALCAT Test
We are all well aware that the food we eat and our exercise routine is a big factor in weight gain and loss. But more than that, food can contribute to imbalanced hormones. BodyLogicMD offers food sensitivity testing in addition to natural bioidentical hormone therapy to help patients balance their hormones and combat weight gain.
A recent book “Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat!” profiled the ALCAT test strong>. The book discusses the history, benefits, medical community support, patient testimonials and in-depth scientific studies. The Baylor Institute study for example reported that 98 percent of participants who successfully had their trigger foods identified and who eliminated these foods from their diet, subsequently lost weight, reduced their percentage of body fat and gained muscle tissue.
Food Sensitivity Testing: What is the ALCAT?
The ALCAT food sensitivity test is a minimally invasive blood test that accurately and reproducibly measures biological cellular reactivity in whole blood. Unlike standard IgG tests, which rely exclusively on one immune pathway and merely detects exposure, the ALCAT test is the premier test for detecting food, mold and chemical sensitivities/intolerances. Studies show the ALCAT test to be 83.4% accurate with foods and 96% accurate with food additives, as compared with the Gold Standard - a double blind oral challenge.
How the ALCAT Test Works
The ALCAT test objectively measures changes in size and number of white blood cells in response to ex vivo challenges with foods, chemicals and other environmental stimuli. Scores are generated by relating the patients' own blood without test substrate to their tested, reactive blood. Results are designated into four categories - Severe Intolerance, Moderate Intolerance, Mild Intolerance and Acceptable Foods - on a color coded report that is accessible online by the prescribing doctor or by hard copy. Included in the results is an individualized rotation diet.
Health Problems Linked to Food Intolerance
Beyond hormone imbalances, serious health conditions are caused by food, environmental pollution, and the lack of exercising. Those serious health problems related to hidden food allergies can include:
- Migraines
- Fatigue
- Chronic inflammation
- Eczema
- Weight loss
- Aching joints
- Weight gain
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular disease
The ALCAT Test works in conjunction with BodyLogicMD bioidentical hormone therapy and can be very helpful to your overall success in the program.
The Process
The Food Sensitivity and Allergies (ALCAT) program starts simply with the patient choosing one of three options. The Platinum Comprehensive option covers a 200 food panel with nearly 300 tests and costs $995. The second option is the Comprehensive Wellness 3 which covers a 150 food panel with nearly 200 tests and costs $730. The last option, Comprehensive Wellness 3 Vegetarian, also covers a 150 food panel and costs the same as the second option, but is designed for vegetarians.
Once the patient has chosen an option, there is a simple three step process.
Step One: An ALCAT food sensitivity testing kit is delivered directly to the patient’s home. Exam One, a mobile draw company will contact the patient to set up an appointment for the blood draw. All that the patient has to do is hand the kit to the Mobile Draw team who will draw their blood and then send the completed kit to ALCAT.
Step Two: The patient will have a 30 minute phone consultation with a registered nutritionist reviewing the results of the ALCAT Test. The results will detail the foods that the patient has severe, moderate, or mild intolerance of and will list acceptable foods that their body will respond best to. Foods that fall under severe intolerance should be avoided for at least 6 months. Foods under moderate intolerance should be avoided for 3-6 months and foods under mild intolerance should just be avoided when possible.
Step Three: The most exciting step is the Action Plan which guides patients on their customized nutrition track. This includes a rotation diet guide which details the optimal food schedule for the patient’s body and health.
Three choices and three steps are all that it takes to gain a healthier lifestyle through the ALCAT program.
