What is pork sensitivity?

A food intolerance or sensitivity occurs when your digestive system reacts adversely after eating a certain food-in this case, pork. While food allergies and food sensitivities are rare for meat – including chicken, beef, and lamb- it is possible. Meat proteins can trigger IgG sensitivities which can be picked up through a food sensitivity test.

Pork allergy symptoms can be similar to that of pork sensitivity, so it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether the reaction to pork is one over the other, making testing all the more important to understanding your gut.

Pork-Cat Syndrome

It’s also worth being aware of a rare, but very real, condition called pork-cat syndrome. This is where someone with a cat allergy also experiences allergy symptoms when eating pork. In those cases, research indicates that the body’s IgE antibodies (part of the immune response to an allergic reaction) cross-react to both cat albumin and pork albumin. As with all food allergies, this can cause a serious, and even life-threatening, reaction. You should seek immediate medical advice if you suspect you have a severe allergy.

Testing for Pork Sensitivity

In order to find out whether your symptoms are indeed tied to a pork sensitivity, we recommend taking a food sensitivity test to determine whether a sensitivity to pork is to blame and whether there are other ingredients that are also affecting you at meal times. At YorkTest, we analyze your IgG antibodies 1-4 through a finger prick blood sample, one of the most accurate methods of testing available. 

The blood test can identify over 200 ingredients to which you may have food sensitivities and their severity in an easy-to-understand traffic light system. Once you have your results, our team can help guide you to understand your food sensitivities, as well as advise on how to interpret your results in your everyday diet, and make your food elimination diet journey easier. For more in-depth assistance and advice, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our highly qualified nutritional therapists.

How long will a pork sensitivity last?

Pork sensitivities are not necessarily lifelong. Through careful elimination diets, you may be able to reintroduce pork into your regular diet with time. An allergy, on the other hand, can never be overcome and in some severe cases, can induce life-threatening reactions. For allergy we always recommend seeking professional medical advice to make sure your body is getting the nutrition it needs.