All About the ALCAT
By Kimberly Ancira, M.S.
You’ve probably heard something about this so-called ALCAT test, wondering what it all entails and if your social life is over once you take it. Since we get so many questions regarding its nature, I wanted to provide background information to help you determine if it is something for you.
Purpose of the ALCAT
The ALCAT (Antigen Leukocyte Cellular Antibody Test) is a non-evasive whole blood test that detects food and chemical sensitivities or intolerances associated with inflammation and chronic symptoms such as migraines, joint pain, fatigue, GI disorders, and asthma.
The ALCAT measures cellular swelling or cell lysis (death) of white blood cells when they are incubated with the extracts of different foods, food additives, pharmacoactive agents or environmental chemicals and food colorants.
Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food that is triggered by the immune system. The immune system is not responsible for the symptoms of food intolerance, even though these symptoms can resemble those of a food allergy. Food allergies are immunoglobin E (IgE) mediated, whereas food sensitivities and intolerances are an indication of cellular inflammatory through an immunoglobin G (IgG) response.
Food allergy is an immunologic reaction of which anaphylaxis occurs, which involves the production of IgE- a type of protein called an antibody that circulates the blood. The most common food allergies among adults are to nuts – including peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts and brazil nuts – fish and shellfish. Children often have allergies to milk and eggs as well as to peanuts, other nuts and fish.
Food intolerance describes an abnormal physiological response to an ingested food or food additive. The triggers are substances that naturally occur in foods, arise in food processing methods, or are added during processing. One of the most common food intolerances is lactose intolerance. The symptoms of food intolerance tend to come on more slowly, and can take anywhere from 72 to 96 hours to produce a symptom. Typical symptoms include digestive problems such as bloating and stomach cramps, joint pain, and migranes. It’s possible to be intolerant to several different foods, which can make it difficult to identify which foods are causing the problem.
What the ALCAT Tests
The ALCAT can test up to 200 foods, 50 functional foods and medicinal herbs, 40 male herbs, 20 molds, 10 food additives, 10 food colorings, 10 environmental chemicals, 10 antibiotics, and 10 inflammatory agents.
Common Food Intolerances
- Lactose: This is a sugar in cow’s milk that requires the enzyme lactase to be broken down into simple sugars for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Sucrose, fructose or maltose: Sugars requiring enzymes for digestion into simple sugars for absorption.
- Histamine and tyramine: These are substances created in the fermentation process in aged cheeses, processed meats, beer, wine, vinegars, and soy sauce. They naturally occur in some foods as well.
- Salicylate: This is a salt contained in some foods and is used to make aspirin.
- Tartrazine: This is an artificial food color used in food.
- Benzoates, butylhydroxyanisol (BHA), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), sulfites: These are preservatives added to foods.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG): This is a naturally occurring or added flavor enhancer in foods.
- Other food dyes: These are color additives used in food.
Safety of Use
The testing only requires a blood draw, which is a minimally invasive procedure. Short term side effects can include temporary discomfort from the needle stick, bruising, and very rarely infection. There are no long term repercussions to testing if the blood draw is performed correctly. Theoretically, if the testing is not accurate, it may have false positive or false negative results which could impact someone’s outlook and care.
Our Recommendations
We are all aware that the food we eat and our exercise routine is a big factor in weight gain and weight loss. Well, that’s just lightly skimming the surface. A myriad of physiological events take place when you eat and exercise, and the more “in tune” you are with your body and know how your body works, the better you’ll be able to reach your body composition goals and optimal health.
With that said I would recommend first meeting with your doctor and getting a full screening and address any symptoms that you are currently experiencing. The reason being is because food intolerances can be difficult to tell apart from other digestive disorders that can produce similar symptoms, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal obstructions or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, if you have a reaction after eating a particular food, see your doctor to determine whether you have food allergy or food intolerance.
The ALCAT is recommended for identifying food intolerances in order to aid in alleviating various symptoms and/or helping aid in digestion of certain foods. For example, if you’re lactose intolerant you can switch to drinking lactose-free milk or take lactase enzyme pills that aid digestion.
Following the identification of a food intolerance, avoidance of the offending foods is the short-term recommendation. However, in many cases, food intolerances are reversible. It is best to see whether the intolerance has a cause and address it rather than avoiding a good deal of perfectly healthful foods forever. Whether it’s small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), parasites, or enzyme deficiencies causing the intolerances, address those first. For example, for enzyme deficiencies consider adding digestive enzymes, such as lactase, Beano, or diamine oxidase for histamine intolerance. It’s always best to review your intolerance with your doctor or dietitian to determine your best prescription.
Elimination Diet as an ALCAT Alternative
First, rule out food allergies with a trip to a board-certified allergist for testing before embarking on an elimination diet to test for food intolerances. If food allergy testing is negative, you can start an elimination diet with the help of a registered dietitian experienced in food allergies and intolerances. A high degree of nutritional expertise, awareness, and careful food selection is essential to ensure the health and well-being of the client. A client’s lack of nutritional guidance by an RD when eliminating food from their diet can result in severe deficiencies.
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