About this condition
Allergies — whether to food, pollen, animals, or environmental triggers — represent a dysregulation of the immune system. Naturopathic doctors address allergies by investigating and modifying the immune and gut factors that drive hypersensitivity, rather than simply suppressing symptoms.
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
Related conditions treated
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 heal the gut, after which many patients are able to tolerate foods they previously reacted to. Your ND will guide a structured reintroduction process.