Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the USA. Allergic rhinitis is highly prevalent, affecting 10-30% of adults and up to 40% of children - but what about food allergies? At least one in ten American adults have a food allergy and up to 60% have an unexpected food reaction. Shellfish is the most common food allergy in adults, affecting over seven million Americans, followed closely by milk and peanuts. Nearly half of all food-allergic adults reported symptoms starting in adulthood and almost 40 percent had visited the emergency room for a severe reaction. People visit the emergency room about 200,000 times each year because of food allergies. Less than one in four Americans with a food allergy had a prescription for an injectable epinephrine device, which they could use in case of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

While allergies can be life threatening for some, most of us have a non-life threatening allergy (type I or type III hypersensitivity) to one or more foods and even more likely to have a non-immune inflammation response to other foods. What is astonishing is that most Americans do not even know what triggers their allergic response. 

These are often the root cause of undiagnosed symptoms and exacerbations of other chronic conditions. 

Research indicates systemic low grade inflammation from dietary choices may contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. This is why Flow Health launched Allergen360, the most comprehensive laboratory developed test for food and environmental allergens. We currently test for 46 environmental, 25 mold and venom and 115 food allergens. Instead of just testing for IgE - which detects type I hypersensitivities - Allergen360 measures IgE, IgG4, C3D and IgG for a comprehensive view of immune mediated responses and other inflammatory markers that may guide diet plans and other treatments. Reducing inflammation in the body is vital and a first step to becoming healthy and staying healthy. 

Please visit www.flowhealth.com/Allergen360 to learn more.