Ordering the Alcat 200 Vegetarian Food Panel
The Alcat 200 Vegetarian Food Panel helps identify which plant-based foods may be causing unwanted symptoms like bloating, headaches, or skin rashes. This test uses a small blood sample to check your immune system’s response to 200 vegetarian foods, grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy alternatives. Interestingly, this panel can also detect sensitivities to less common foods such as star fruit, lychee, and dandelion, which are often overlooked in standard food sensitivity tests.
Ordering this test can help you:
- Pinpoint specific vegetarian foods that may be linked to digestive issues, fatigue, or skin problems
- Reduce symptoms by removing foods that trigger immune reactions
- Support better management of conditions like irritable bowel, eczema, or migraines
- Guide dietary changes for those with unexplained symptoms after eating plant-based foods
- Receive a free 30-minute consultation to review your results and next steps
Who Should Consider Vegetarian Food Sensitivity Testing
People who eat a mostly plant-based diet and notice symptoms like stomach pain, brain fog, or joint aches after meals may benefit from this test. For example, someone who switched to a vegetarian diet to feel better but now experiences more frequent headaches and tiredness could use this test to find out if certain foods are the cause.
Ordering this test may also be helpful if you:
- Have ongoing bloating, gas, or changes in bowel habits after eating grains, beans, or vegetables
- Notice skin rashes, hives, or eczema that seem to flare up after meals
- Struggle with migraines or sinus congestion that you suspect may be food-related
- Experience mood swings or trouble focusing after eating certain plant-based foods
- Have unexplained joint pain that worsens after eating foods like tomatoes or eggplant, which are part of the nightshade family
Testing for food sensitivities can help you make clear, targeted changes to your diet, which may lead to fewer symptoms and more predictable results. Delaying this test could mean continuing to eat foods that trigger your symptoms, making it harder to find relief.
How to Prepare for Vegetarian Food Sensitivity Testing
Fasting is not required for this test, so you can eat and drink as usual before your blood draw. Always follow any instructions or tips your doctor or healthcare provider gives you to make sure your sample is collected correctly and your results are as helpful as possible.
Labs Included When Ordering Your Alcat 200 Vegetarian Food Panel
| Test Name | Reference Range | Significance | What High Levels Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian Food Sensitivity Markers | |||
| Acorn Squash | Non-reactive | Shows if your immune system reacts to acorn squash, which can cause digestive or skin symptoms if sensitive. | May trigger bloating, stomach pain, or rashes. |
| Adzuki Beans | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to adzuki beans, a common protein source in vegetarian diets. | Can cause gas, cramps, or fatigue if reactive. |
| Almond | Non-reactive | Identifies if almonds, often used in dairy alternatives, are causing immune reactions. | May lead to headaches, itching, or swelling. |
| Apple | Non-reactive | Shows if apples, a common fruit, are linked to symptoms like mouth tingling or stomach upset. | Can cause oral allergy or digestive discomfort. |
| Apricot | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to apricots, which can be hidden in snacks or baked goods. | May cause itching or mild swelling. |
| Arrow Root | Non-reactive | Detects if arrow root, a thickener in gluten-free foods, is causing symptoms. | Can lead to stomach upset or skin irritation. |
| Artichoke | Non-reactive | Shows if artichokes are linked to immune reactions, which can be missed in standard allergy tests. | May cause digestive symptoms or mild swelling. |
| Arugula | Non-reactive | Checks for sensitivity to arugula, a leafy green often used in salads. | Can cause mouth tingling or mild digestive upset. |
| Asparagus | Non-reactive | Identifies if asparagus is causing immune reactions, which may show up as stomach pain or headaches. | May trigger digestive symptoms or headaches. |
| Avocado | Non-reactive | Shows if avocados, common in plant-based diets, are linked to immune responses. | Can cause mouth itching or stomach upset. |
| Grains, Legumes, Nuts, Seeds, Dairy Alternatives, and Other Vegetarian Foods | |||
| Barley | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to barley, which can be hidden in cereals and bread. | May cause bloating or joint pain. |
| Black Beans | Non-reactive | Shows if black beans, a protein source, are causing immune reactions. | Can lead to gas, cramps, or fatigue. |
| Soybean | Non-reactive | Identifies if soy, found in many vegetarian foods, is linked to symptoms like hives or digestive upset. | May cause hives, swelling, or stomach pain. |
| Gluten/Gliadin | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to gluten, which can cause symptoms in those with gluten intolerance. | Can trigger bloating, fatigue, or joint pain. |
| Cow’s Milk | Non-reactive | Shows if cow’s milk, sometimes used in vegetarian diets, is causing immune reactions. | May cause stomach pain, rashes, or congestion. |
| Egg White | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to egg whites, which can be hidden in baked goods. | Can cause hives, swelling, or stomach upset. |
| Peanut | Non-reactive | Identifies if peanuts, a common allergen, are causing immune reactions. | May cause itching, swelling, or digestive symptoms. |
| Sesame | Non-reactive | Shows if sesame seeds, found in many vegetarian foods, are linked to immune responses. | Can cause hives or stomach upset. |
| Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Spices | |||
| Tomato | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to tomatoes, which can be linked to joint pain or skin symptoms. | May cause joint pain or rashes. |
| Spinach | Non-reactive | Shows if spinach, a common leafy green, is causing immune reactions. | Can cause stomach upset or headaches. |
| Strawberry | Non-reactive | Identifies if strawberries are linked to symptoms like mouth itching or hives. | May cause mouth tingling or skin rashes. |
| Cilantro | Non-reactive | Checks for immune response to cilantro, which can be hidden in sauces and salads. | Can cause digestive upset or mild swelling. |
Reference ranges may be updated from time to time based on new research or lab standards. Always review your results with a qualified healthcare provider for the most current interpretation.
Alcat 200 Vegetarian Food Panel FAQ
Is there Alcat 200 Vegetarian Food Panel testing near me?
This test is provided as a kit that you can take to a local blood draw site—check the draw location link at the top of the page for options. If you’re dealing with symptoms like bloating or headaches, having a nearby collection site makes it easier to get tested quickly and start finding answers.
How do I interpret the test results?
While your treating doctor should help you understand your results, you can also use our one-on-one test results review service with our clinical team for a detailed explanation and next steps.
What is the cost of the test?
The price you see includes standard shipping to you and return shipping to the lab, but local draw fees may apply. Ordering this test can help you quickly identify which foods may be causing symptoms, so you can make changes and start feeling better sooner.
How often should I retest?
It’s best to retest every 6 to 12 months, especially if you’ve made changes to your diet or your symptoms have changed. Retesting helps track your immune system’s response to foods over time and can show if new sensitivities have developed.
How accurate is the test?
This test uses the Alcat method, which measures changes in white blood cells after exposure to food extracts, with a specificity of 86% and sensitivity of 83%. TrueHealthLabs.com partners with CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratories to uphold rigorous testing standards for dependable results.
Important Notes
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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