Those who, for some reason, do not consume foods containing milk protein or milk sugar, often replace yogurt and milk with products made from soy. However, soy can also cause allergic symptoms, but this is not always easy to detect with a test. The traditional allergy test can give a negative result, while the complaints are still caused by soy. Dr. Edit Hidvégi, gastroenterologist, the doctor of the Buda Allergy Center explained how this is possible.
Food allergy investigation
The immune system of an allergic patient produces antibodies against each allergen as a result of certain external stimuli. This antibody is IgE, the level of which increases during an allergic reaction to a given food in a good number of people with food allergies. IgE levels remain high even if the allergen is no longer present, its value only decreases very slowly. Therefore, it is suitable for diagnosing allergies. During food allergy testing, the blood sample taken from the patient is therefore tested for IgE levels.
Components with different properties
Substances that cause allergic symptoms, allergens – such as soy protein – usually they do not cover a single molecule, but a collection of several protein molecules. These components have different properties. It may happen that the total soy IgE did not rise during the traditional blood test, but when examined with a multiplex allergy test, one of the three allergenic components of soy – Gly m 4 – may still be elevated, which is enough for the consumption of soy to cause symptoms.
In relation to what symptoms should you think of allergies?
It may indicate an allergy after eating foods containing soy itching occurs in the oral cavity, lip swelling, rashes, vomiting occur. In severe cases, a life-threatening anaphylactic shock can develop as a result of a soy allergy.
A soy-free diet is not easy
If we suspect that our complaints may be related to the consumption of soy, then it is worthwhile to find out as soon as possible whether this is really the case, or whether we often feel sick after eating certain foods because of another food. By performing the multiplex allergy test unnecessary diets can be avoided, as we can get an exact answer as to which food, which component causes our symptoms. Dr. Edit Hidvégi warns us not to start a soy-free diet unnecessarily, because this requires a lot of restrictions: soy is often found among the ingredients of baked goods, meat products, cold meats, preserves, sauces and chocolates.
Source: Buda Allergy Center
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
