What Is the FOX test?
FOX test (Food Explorer) is designed to detect food intolerances. This innovative blood test examines sensitivities to 287 food antigens across 13 food groups, offering one of the most comprehensive food intolerance assessments available today.
The FOX test assesses the levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in your blood, which may indicate food intolerances that could contribute to chronic symptoms.
Unlike IgE-mediated allergies, IgG-mediated symptoms are often delayed, making them more difficult to detect without thorough testing.
The test provides insights into potential food triggers, aiding in personalized dietary adjustments.
Food Antigens
Food Groups
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Coverage of common and novel foods
Which foods are included in FOX test?
The FOX test offers a complete profile of your food sensitivities by testing for a wide range of food antigens, including both common staples and novel foods. The test covers:
Food Groups:
- Milk and Eggs
- Meat
- Fish and Seafood
- Cereals and Seeds
- Nuts
- Legumes
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Spices
- Edible Mushrooms
- Novel Foods (e.g. Aloe, Guarana, Tapioca)
- Coffee and Tea
See the full antigen list here.
When should I do the FOX test?
The FOX test is ideal for anyone seeking to understand potential food intolerances, whether managing chronic symptoms or exploring dietary triggers. It may be particularly beneficial in the following scenarios:
- Unexplained Symptoms: If you experience chronic issues like gastrointestinal discomfort, skin problems, headaches, or mood disturbances that may be linked to food, the FOX test’s extensive scope may identify potential triggers.
- Complex Dietary Needs: For individuals with known food sensitivities who want to explore additional triggers or refine their diet.
- Comprehensive Testing: Unlike elimination diets, which can be time-consuming and imprecise, the FOX test provides a broad, cost-effective analysis of 287 food antigens in one go.
Why choose the FOX test?
The FOX test is designed for accuracy and convenience:
- Small Sample: Requires a minimal amount of blood.
- Fast Results: Results are typically available within 3–5 days.
- No Dietary Restrictions: No need to alter your diet before testing, unlike some other methods.
- Comprehensive Food Profile: Tests for 287 antigens across 13 food groups, covering both traditional and novel foods, eliminating the need for multiple tests.
Who can do the FOX test?
The FOX test is suitable for adults, children, and the elderly.
It is ideal for individuals with chronic or ambiguous symptoms, such as bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, or skin issues, who need precise identification of food triggers to manage their condition.
Typical symptoms of food intolerance include:
- Digestive Issues: Bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or nausea.
- Skin Reactions: Rashes, itching, or hives.
- Respiratory Symptoms: Nasal congestion, sneezing, or breathing difficulties.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired or sluggish after eating.
- Headaches: Migraines or tension headaches.
- Joint Pain: Aches or stiffness.
- Mood Changes: Irritability, anxiety, or brain fog.
Symptoms vary by individual and food type, often appearing hours to days after consumption. Unlike allergies, food intolerances are not life-threatening but can significantly impact quality of life.
A small blood sample is collected at our diagnostic center. No special preparation is required, and the test remains reliable regardless of current symptoms or medication use.
FOX test results
The FOX test provides a detailed report outlining your IgG sensitivities to various food antigens, categorized as low, intermediate, or highly elevated, and includes individualised dietary recommendations.
See an example FOX report here.
The connection between food intake, elevated IgG levels and chronic disorders has been described in peer reviewed publications and case studies. The rise in popularity of IgG testing has being facilitated by new reliable and cost-effective technologies, and as a result cutting edge research to describe the extent of IgG relevance is ongoing.
It is recommended for the results to be reviewed with a healthcare professional, such as a dietitian or physician, alongside your medical history to ensure accurate interpretation and to develop a tailored dietary plan.
How to manage food intolerance after testing?
Consider a temporary elimination diet (typically 2–6 weeks) to remove foods identified by the intolerance test. Monitor symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, or digestive issues during this period. Reintroduce foods one at a time to confirm which ones trigger symptoms.
Avoid overly restrictive diets, as eliminating many foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies or eating disorders. It’s recommended to evaluate results with a healthcare professional to ensure a balanced diet while addressing potential sensitivities. Never restrict a child’s diet without consulting a doctor.
How does the FOX test work?
A small blood sample is collected.
Serum is processed using macroarrays, with nano-bead technology amplifying sensitivity, where specific IgG antibodies bind to immobilized antigens from 287 foods.
Specialized software processes the data, generating a semi-quantitative report with IgG levels expressed in µg/mL.
Results are processed and delivered within a few days, with specialized software providing a comprehensive report, detailing antigen specific IgG levels, offering a detailed breakdown of food sensitivities and guidance for dietary adjustments. The analysis software is only meant to facilitate diagnosis, and is no replacement for a doctor.
1) Blood Collection
2) Serum Processing with FOX Multiplex Array
3) IgG Levels Measured
4) Comprehensive Report
About StArtBio Diagnostic Centers
General and
specialized
exams,
reliable
results.
StArtBio is an innovative company in the field of Molecular Diagnostics and Biotechnology. We have 2 modern laboratories in Athens and Peristeri, with experienced staff. Our goal is to offer specialized doctors the tools for the effective diagnosis of diseases with high specificity, through innovative molecular and cellular analysis methods, and we also perform most general exams.