This month I’ve been focusing on food intolerances and I pointed out some common, yet subtle symptoms associated with a food intolerance. As you can tell, it’s not easy identifying the culprit, which can be frustrating. Many years ago, as a physical therapist, I learned about ALCAT testing. ALCAT stands for Antigen Leukocyte Cellular Antibody Test. Do you feel like a mad scientist now?

Even though the name sounds quite technical, it is a simple blood test that evaluates your immune system’s reaction to certain foods and chemicals. The test can help you identify what foods trigger inflammation and other symptoms I mentioned in an earlier blog post. This test is  a golden standard and is recognized for its ability to help individuals make dietary changes and relieve chronic symptoms.

One of our clients, started our services when she had Trigeminal Neuralgia, which caused excruciating pain all the way from her mouth to her ear. She went to holistic doctors, tried acupuncture but nothing seemed to alleviate her symptoms. When we started our weekly meal delivery service, I realized that it was certain foods that were triggering her pain. I recommended she take an ALCAT test to see exactly what foods were causing her issues. The test, along with her doctor’s recommendations, revealed that nightshades, gluten, dairy, soy, and garlic were triggers for her, along with stress.

When we started eliminating those foods from her diet, her symptoms went away. The ALCAT test does work and it can truly be life changing, as it has been for many of our clients.

You probably have lots of questions about this test, so I’ve put together some FAQs and referred to the official ALCAT site, to give you an overview:

ALCAT FAQS:

1) Is it a blood test?

Yes, this test is one-time blood draw created by the American Medical Testing Laboratories. It can be done at Any Lab Test Now Location or a mobile blood draw can be sent to you.

2) Do I need to fast before I take the test? 

No, this is a non-fasting blood test.

3) How many foods can it test for? 

The ALCAT can test up to 450 individual foods, additives, colorings, biological and chemical substances.

4) Who can take the test? 

Those with acute or chronic symptoms, including:

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Skin Symptoms
  • Neurological Symptoms
  • Respiratory Disease
  • Metabolic / Endocrine Disorders
  • Muscular / Skeletal Disorders
  • Immune System

5) Can it detect food allergies?

No, the ALCAT does not test for food allergies, but rather food intolerances. See what the difference is here. 

6) How long does it take to view my results? 

It takes about 5-7 business days for your results to be reviewed and processed. If you do ALCAT testing through SAVOR, we will be mailed the results and go over them with you and adjust your diet as necessary.

7) Are there certain medication restrictions for taking the test? 

Yes, please view the guidelines here. 

8) What do the asterisks on the ALCAT test mean?

If you do an ALCAT test through SAVOR, then I will be the one reviewing all of it, and going over what everything means, so you won’t have to worry about figuring it all out by yourself. However, I think it’s important for you to know. The asterisk represents which foods you have a mild intolerance to.

9) What do the blue boxes on the ALCAT test mean? 

The blue boxes indicate that a particular food needs to be removed from your diet.

10) I know I have an allergy to a particular food, why does it on my green column/acceptable food list? 

This is because the ALCAT doesn’t test for food allergies, just keep avoiding that particular food that you know you’re allergic to.

11) What are the different food panels of the ALCAT test?

There are various food panels that you can test for. For example, you can test for the 100 food panel, which means you get tested for 100 foods/substances. This is for the eaters who tend to stick to the basics and don’t venture out with their palate.

I hope this answers some of your questions about the ALCAT test. It has helped dozens of my clients enjoy eating again and has helped them eliminate symptoms they didn’t even know were caused by the food they were eating!

If you’d think you might have a food intolerance, and you would like to try out the ALCAT test, you can purchase it here or call us for a consultation to see if you might need one.