From the Guidelines
IgG food sensitivities do not have a direct impact on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (sed rate), as sed rate is a non-specific marker of inflammation that is not typically affected by IgG-mediated food reactions. The current evidence, including a 2022 study published in Gastroenterology 1, suggests that IgG food sensitivity testing may predict response to an elimination diet, but there is no clear link between IgG food sensitivities and sed rate.
When considering the relationship between food sensitivities and inflammation:
- Consult an allergist or immunologist for proper testing and diagnosis.
- Consider an elimination diet under medical supervision to identify problematic foods.
- Focus on overall anti-inflammatory lifestyle measures:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Exercise regularly (30 minutes of moderate activity most days).
- Manage stress through techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Get adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night).
It is essential to note that IgG food sensitivities are delayed immune reactions that may cause subtle symptoms but do not typically trigger the acute inflammatory response measured by sed rate. Sed rate is more responsive to systemic inflammation from conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain cancers. If your sed rate is elevated, it is crucial to work with your healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause, as food sensitivities are unlikely to be the primary factor affecting this test result, as suggested by the lack of evidence in the 2022 study 1.
From the Research
Impact of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Food Sensitivity on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (sed rate)
- The relationship between IgG food sensitivity and sed rate is explored in several studies, with a focus on the potential link between food intolerance and inflammation 2, 3.
- A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that patients with small bowel inflammation had a higher positive rate of food IgG antibodies and more IgG-positive food items, and that the number of positive food IgGs ≥ 3 and elevated ESR were independently associated with concurrent small bowel inflammation 2.
- Another study published in Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes found that IgG antibodies against food antigens were correlated with inflammation and intima media thickness in obese juveniles, suggesting a potential link between food intolerance and low-grade inflammation 3.
- While these studies do not directly address the impact of IgG food sensitivity on sed rate, they suggest that food intolerance may contribute to inflammation, which can affect sed rate 2, 3.
- Other studies have investigated the prevalence of IgG-mediated food intolerance among patients with allergic symptoms, and found that food specific IgG antibodies were common in these patients, particularly against certain foods such as wheat, corn, and egg white 4.
- However, the direct relationship between IgG food sensitivity and sed rate is not explicitly addressed in these studies, and further research is needed to fully understand this potential link 5, 6.