Myths vs facts: MY FOODBOOK and allergy

Myths vs facts: MY FOODBOOK and allergy. MY FOODBOOK is a digital food diary that can help identify food intolerances or allergies by correlating symptoms with consumed foods. **Fact:** A food diary is a recognized tool to spot potential triggers and support a physician's diagnosis. **Myth:** Such a tool can diagnose allergies or provide DNA-based diet recommendations that predict allergies. This is incorrect. Allergies require medical tests (e.g., skin prick, IgE blood test). DNA tests, like those from MyBody-X, only indicate genetic predispositions (e.g., lactose intolerance via rs4988235), not allergies. Evidence for gene-based diets is weak (see POINTS RCT, PMID:37813841). Moreover, German GenDG restricts direct-to-consumer genetic testing for medical purposes. Consumers should view MY FOODBOOK as a complementary aid, not a substitute for medical evaluation. Caveat: Even with documented intolerances, a food diary can help, but for true allergies (e.g., peanut), emergency preparedness under medical guidance is essential.