Myths vs facts: MY FOODBOOK and Allergie

Myth: A DNA test like MY FOODBOOK can reliably diagnose food allergies or intolerances. Fact: True IgE-mediated allergies require clinical tests (skin prick, specific IgE) and medical history. DNA tests can only indicate genetic predispositions for certain intolerances such as lactose intolerance (LCT gene) or celiac disease (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) – but these are not allergies. Most offered markers (e.g., TAS2R38 for bitter taste, IL6 for inflammation) have no proven link to food allergies. Evidence for direct DNA diagnosis of allergies is lacking; many products like MY FOODBOOK rely on poorly validated SNPs and overstate their utility. Responsible allergy diagnosis requires physician involvement. Consumers should not base dietary decisions solely on DNA results, as this may lead to unnecessary restrictions or missed diagnoses.