Functional medicine often uses food intolerance testing to uncover sensitivities that can cause digestive issues, skin problems, and other chronic conditions.
You’re bloated, gassy, foggy, or just “off” after eating — and no matter how many things you cut out, you never feel quite right.
You’ve Googled food intolerances.
Maybe you’ve tried going gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, joy-free…
Or you’ve bought a food sensitivity kit online and now have a list of 47 things to avoid — with zero idea what to do next.
Sound familiar?
At YFS (Your Form Sux), we believe food should fuel you — not confuse you. And while functional medicine can use food intolerance testing as a tool, it’s not about fear, fads, or living on chicken and air.
It’s about strategy. And here’s what that looks like.
First: What’s the Difference Between an Allergy, Intolerance, and Sensitivity?
Let’s clear up the basics:
- Food Allergy
Involves an immediate immune reaction (IgE antibodies)
Can cause hives, swelling, anaphylaxis
Think: peanuts, shellfish, etc.
These are serious and life-threatening — not what functional testing looks for - Food Intolerance
Non-immune-related
Caused by enzyme deficiencies or gut dysfunction
Think: lactose intolerance, histamine intolerance
Causes bloating, gas, headaches, fatigue — but not life-threatening - Food Sensitivity
Involves delayed immune response (often IgG or IgA antibodies)
Symptoms show up hours or even days later
Can affect digestion, skin, energy, mood, joints, brain fog
These are what most functional tests are looking to identify
What Is Food Intolerance Testing in Functional Medicine?
Food intolerance or sensitivity testing (often done via blood or saliva) looks at how your immune system is reacting to specific foods — not with dramatic allergies, but with chronic low-grade inflammation that builds up over time.
We’re talking about:
- Joint stiffness
- Chronic bloating
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Skin rashes
- Fatigue after eating
- Inflammation that won’t go away
These aren’t in your head — they’re rooted in gut-immune dysregulation.
What Tests Do We Use at YFS?
We don’t throw every test at you — we test only when it adds clarity.
We may use:
- IgG or IgA food panels (blood or saliva)
- Zonulin testing (to assess leaky gut)
- Lactose/fructose intolerance breath tests
- Gluten reactivity panels (not just celiac)
- Comprehensive stool testing to evaluate gut health before we blame food
Important: We never treat food sensitivity testing as a diagnosis. It’s one piece of the puzzle — not the whole strategy.
Why Food Reactions Happen in the First Place
Here’s what most people miss: food reactions are often a symptom, not the root cause.
Common triggers for developing food sensitivities:
- A history of antibiotics or infections
- Leaky gut or compromised gut lining
- Chronic stress and cortisol imbalance
- Poor digestion (low stomach acid, enzyme issues)
- Dysbiosis or imbalanced gut bacteria
- Mold, toxin, or chemical exposure
That’s why “just cutting out the food” rarely works long term.
We have to fix the gut, not just the menu.
What Happens After Testing?
At YFS, we use your results to build a targeted plan, which usually includes:
- Short-Term Elimination
We temporarily remove high-reactivity foods (based on testing and symptoms)
This gives your gut and immune system a break from constant irritation - Gut Healing Protocol
We address the why: inflammation, gut permeability, microbiome imbalances, digestive issues
This often includes probiotics, herbal antimicrobials, enzymes, or nutrients like L-glutamine or zinc carnosine - Reintroduction Phase
Once inflammation calms and the gut is stronger, we reintroduce foods one at a time
We track tolerance — because many foods can be brought back in safely when the gut is healed - Long-Term Food Freedom
The goal is not lifelong restriction. It’s resilience.
We want you to feel empowered, not fearful, around food
Who Should Consider Food Intolerance Testing?
It may be helpful if you:
- Have chronic bloating, IBS, or reflux with no clear cause
- Experience fatigue, skin issues, or brain fog after meals
- Suspect that food is making your symptoms worse — but can’t pinpoint what
- Have autoimmune or inflammatory conditions that flare unpredictably
- Have tried elimination diets with limited success
- Want data to guide a more strategic healing plan
The YFS Difference: Data + Context = Power
We don’t just hand you a list and say “good luck.”
We interpret your results, explain what they mean, and build a gut-and-nutrition strategy that works with your life.
Because functional medicine isn’t about fear-based nutrition.
It’s about building a stronger, smarter relationship with your body and the food that fuels it.
Tired of Guessing What’s Messing With Your Gut?
Let’s find out what your body’s reacting to — and what it actually needs to heal.
Book a functional medicine consult at YFS today and start the process of clarity, confidence, and real food freedom.
