What are food sensitivities?
Food reactions come in different forms. A food allergy usually involves IgE antibodies and mast cells, which can release histamine quickly after eating. A food intolerance is often about digestion or chemistry rather than the immune system, such as difficulty breaking down histamine from aged or fermented foods. Food sensitivity is a broader everyday term for foods that do not seem to agree with you. Each is distinct and benefits from careful evaluation.
How your genes play a role
Genes influence several parts of this picture. Some shape how readily your immune system makes allergy related antibodies and messengers. Others build the enzymes that clear histamine in your gut and tissues. Still others help keep the skin and other barriers intact, which may affect how the immune system first meets food proteins. Variants describe tendencies, and your environment and history matter just as much.
Understanding your tendencies can make sense of patterns you may already have noticed, such as reacting to wine, aged cheese or leftovers, or having a family history of allergies. It can also help you and your clinician decide which questions to explore next. Rather than cutting out long lists of foods, many people find it more useful to understand the mechanism and then test changes thoughtfully, with professional guidance.
What your report shows
Your Food Sensitivities results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Histamine clearanceHow your genes may influence the breakdown of histamine in the gut and tissues.
- Allergy signalingYour tendencies for the immune messengers involved in allergic responses.
- Mast cell responseInsight into the receptor that helps mast cells respond to IgE.
- Barrier strengthHow your genes may support the skin and tissue barriers that meet the outside world.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| DAO | Makes diamine oxidase, the main enzyme that breaks down… | Typical |
| HNMT | Breaks down histamine inside cells using a methyl group,… | Moderate effect |
| FcERI | The receptor on mast cells that binds IgE and… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| DAO | Makes diamine oxidase, the main enzyme that breaks down histamine from food in the gut. |
| HNMT | Breaks down histamine inside cells using a methyl group, linking it to methylation. |
| FcERI | The receptor on mast cells that binds IgE and helps trigger allergic responses. |
| IL4 | Makes a messenger that encourages the immune system to produce IgE antibodies. |
| SPINK5 | Helps maintain the skin barrier, which is linked to how allergies may first develop. |
Full panel: 11 genes
IgE, IgG, IgA, MAST, Histamine, DAO, HNMT, FcERI, IL4, IL13, SPINK5
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Tracking meals and how you feel can reveal patterns worth discussing.
Some people notice a difference when they choose fresh foods over aged or fermented ones.
If foods are removed, a clinician or dietitian can help keep your diet balanced.
Supporting a healthy skin barrier is often discussed, especially for families with allergies.
Questions
Is a food sensitivity the same as an allergy?
No. Allergies usually involve IgE antibodies and can be serious, while sensitivities and intolerances are often about digestion or chemistry. Any suspected allergy should be evaluated by a clinician.
Can my genes tell me which foods to avoid?
Not directly. They show tendencies in histamine clearance and immune signaling, which can guide a more focused conversation with your clinician.
What is histamine intolerance?
It describes symptoms that may appear when histamine from food builds up faster than the body clears it. It is still being studied, so it is best explored with professional guidance.
Only interested in this area? The Food Sensitivity Summary Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
