The answer may lie in how your body reacts to certain foods.

"I eat healthily, exercise regularly, and my blood tests are normal, but I still don't feel well."

This is a phrase we hear increasingly often. Many people live with symptoms of food intolerance such as abdominal bloating, heavy digestion, persistent fatigue, or digestive disturbances without finding an obvious cause. In many cases, these symptoms appear intermittently, making it difficult to identify what triggers them.

Food allergy or food intolerance?

Food allergies are immune system reactions to certain foods. They are mediated by IgE antibodies and usually cause immediate symptoms after consumption, such as itching, hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling. Because symptoms appear quickly, food allergies are generally easier to identify.

Food intolerances and sensitivities, on the other hand, do not involve a classic allergic response. Their manifestations are usually delayed and less specific, and may include digestive discomfort, bloating, fatigue, headaches, or other symptoms that can appear hours or even days after consuming the food.

Due to this delay and the wide variety of associated symptoms, food intolerances and sensitivities are often more difficult to detect and link to the triggering food.

What are the symptoms of food intolerances?

Among the most common symptoms associated with these reactions are:

• Abdominal bloating and recurrent gas.
  
• Heavy digestion and changes in bowel habits.
  
• Persistent fatigue.
  
• Headaches or migraines.
  
• Skin problems.
  
• Joint discomfort.
  
• A feeling of "brain fog" or difficulty concentrating.

Why doesn't a healthy diet work the same way for everyone?

The same food may be well tolerated by one person and cause discomfort in another. Dairy products, eggs, wheat, nuts, or tomatoes are common components of a balanced diet, but each individual has unique metabolic and immunological characteristics.

For this reason, a diet considered healthy does not always produce the same results in everyone. Increasingly, healthcare professionals are embracing personalized nutrition that takes individual differences into account.

Listening to your symptoms is the first step

We often normalize bloating after meals, constant fatigue, or digestive discomfort because they have become part of our routine. However, when these symptoms persist or affect quality of life, having additional information can help us better understand the factors influencing our well-being.

IA 200 Test: Understand your response to foods better

At Laboratorio Echevarne, we offer the IA 200 Test, an analysis that evaluates sensitivity to 216 foods and additives commonly present in the diet.

The results provide a broader view of how the body interacts with different food components and can support the development of individualized nutritional guidelines in collaboration with healthcare professionals.

It is particularly suitable for individuals experiencing recurrent digestive symptoms, a sensation of inflammation, persistent fatigue, or nonspecific discomfort who wish to explore potential dietary factors.

Understanding how your body responds to different foods is the first step toward making more informed decisions about your health.

Benefits of the IA 200 Test

• Identification of potential trigger foods: Helps identify foods that generate a higher IgG antibody response, providing useful information to detect possible food sensitivities and personalize dietary recommendations.

   

• Symptom relief: Supports the improvement or resolution of recurrent digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, or abdominal bloating.

   

• Guidance for intervention: Serves as an ideal tool for healthcare professionals to design temporary elimination diets for foods showing higher sensitivity, followed by a structured reintroduction plan.

Who is it recommended for?

This test is particularly recommended for individuals experiencing limiting symptoms with no apparent cause:

• Patients with gastrointestinal disorders (heavy digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation).
  
• Individuals with dermatological manifestations or skin conditions of unclear origin.
  
• People experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, or recurrent migraines.

Interpretation of results and report format

The analytical report received by the patient stands out for its clarity and clinical usefulness, presenting the information as follows:

1. Organization by food families: Foods are grouped to facilitate understanding of potential cross-sensitivities.
2. Precise quantification: Results for each food are expressed numerically in units per mL (U/mL).
3. Color-coded visual system: A graphical representation using progressive color bars classifies antibody reactivity into four interpretation levels: Negative, Mild, Moderate, or Strong / Very Strong.

Important considerations before taking the test

To ensure the reliability of the IA 200 Test, it is important to understand its technical requirements:

• Previous consumption required: If a food has not been consumed during the last six months, the body may not have produced antibodies against it, which could result in a possible intolerance remaining undetected (false negative). Foods should not be eliminated before the blood sample is taken.
• Diagnostic exclusions: This test exclusively measures IgG-mediated sensitivity. It is not intended for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance (enzymatic deficiency), celiac disease (autoimmune disorder), or traditional food allergies (IgE-mediated).

Understanding how your body responds is the first step toward making informed decisions about your health with the guidance of nutrition professionals.