About this condition
Allergies — whether to food, pollen, animals, or environmental triggers — reflect how the immune system is responding to its surroundings. Naturopathic doctors look at the immune and gut factors that may be contributing to your symptoms as part of a broader, individualized plan.
What a naturopathic doctor can do
- Food allergy and sensitivity testing (IgE and IgG)
- Elimination and reintroduction protocols
- Gut microbiome support — gut health is foundational to immune tolerance
- Environmental allergy assessment
- Nutritional support for immune regulation (vitamin D, omega-3s, quercetin)
- Botanical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers
- Desensitization support protocols
- Mold and toxin assessment for reactive patients
Also known as
Common questions
A food allergy involves an immediate IgE immune response and can be life-threatening. A food sensitivity involves a delayed IgG response that causes symptoms hours to days later — bloating, brain fog, fatigue, skin reactions. NDs test for and address both.
Yes. Standard allergy testing only captures IgE reactions. Many patients with clear allergy-type symptoms test negative because their reactions are IgG-mediated (food sensitivities). NDs use broader testing and clinical assessment.
Not necessarily. The goal of elimination protocols is to identify triggers and support gut healing, after which many patients are able to tolerate foods they previously reacted to. Your ND will guide a structured reintroduction process.