It seems these days that allergies are more prevalent than they were years ago. I can’t tell if kids are more sensitive to foods, or if we’re more sensitive to their allergies. I remember bringing PB&J to school at least a couple of days a week, and I have no memory of any of the kids in the school with a peanut allergy. These days, a PB&J will send you to a different table in the lunchroom, which is the lunchroom equivelent to the “island of misfit toys.”
Whether food allergies are more common now, or we’re just more considerate of the people that have allergies, the science behind how food interacts with our bodies is considered daily routine at the new local diagnostic startup Immufood Inc. in Fuquay-Varina.
“We are very pleased to be here in NC. Our initial thoughts were to open this lab in California. During the process we hired Lighthouse Consulting to help us to build our lab,” said Sharon Mamann, VP Business Development for Immufood.
“After working with Jon Harol, Lighthouse CEO, shifting our thoughts towards establishing ourselves in North Carolina was a very natural process at the end of which we opened our lab here in Fuquay-Varina. North Carolina’s top science education establishments present quality graduates who become quality professionals in the laboratory industry and this was one of the main reasons we chose this state.”
The food sensitivity lab is based in NC however they serve the entire country.
Immufood’s science is based on IgG antibody triggers that can cause a food sensitivity/intolerance reaction.
IgG stands for “Immunoglobulin G.” Immunoglobulins are the antibodies used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. Everybody has IgG antibodies in their blood but occasionally these antibodies can start to react against the foods that we consume. In an essence, this is what may cause food allergies or delayed-onset food allergies (food intolerance). In comparison, IgE mediated allergies (type I) are completely different from IgG mediated allergies (type III) and are commonly known as immediate reaction, sometimes potentially life-threatening allergies.
Immufood is equipped for testing both IgG and IgE food- related allergies.
Unlike IgE testing, insurance coverage is usually not available for IgG testing. Some insurance companies have partial pay for the tests and clients can use their Health Savings Account to pay for them as well.
The test is an easy finger-prick blood test which can be performed in the comfort of your own home.
Immufood’s website offers four different dry spot home collection kits with panels ranging from 90 food items to 270 food items (this is currently the biggest panel offered in the US), as well as a vegetarian panel.
In the Fuquay-Varina lab, the blood sample is tested for the reaction to proteins found in the foods in the chosen panel.
The user is required to download the Immufood App (offered in IOS and Android) and the results are presented within a week.
In addition to catering to independent clients who wish to map their own wellness journey, Immufood are avid supporters of the Health & Wellness Practitioner community across the United States.
Stemming from the belief that identification of personal food intolerances is key to body and health awareness, Immufood aims to reach as many people as possible and views the professional community as natural partners in this mission.
Although Immufood is just a start-up for Fuquay-Varina, their proprietary system makes them a leader in their industry.
Please join us in welcoming this new business to Fuquay-Varina.
