I already knew I had some level of intolerance towards soy products, but I wasn't sure if it was soil bean oil, the bean, soy sauce, edamame, or soy protein etc.

Well based on their recommendations, the results said I could eat soy protein, soy sauce and even soybean, but not edamame or soybean oil, which Sounds confusing and contradictory.
I went to eat some soy protein that had no soybean oil or edamame, but yet I still broke out in the same rash I had before, so I wasn't happy about that. But they informed me it's more of a digestive enzyme test, than it is an allergy test.

However it also picked up on some foods that bother my gout, so I was impressed by that. Overall I'm happy, but some better explanations on their contradictions would be helpful.

It makes little sense to tell someone who is for example, soy intolerant, that some aspects of soy are ok. They would be safer just saying stay away from all of it, or the entire food group.

Bottom line is, it will get you in the ball park of what you need to avoid for at least a period of time to see if it helps what ever problems you may be experiencing.

My advice would be, that if a food product bothers you and you already know that, and that matches with the test, just avoid the entire food group as a whole. Don't trust that some of the ingredients broken down and separated out might be on the "safe" or "normal" level. It's just not worth the risk.

We spent over $6000 last year trying to diagnose the myriad of digestive issues I was having and the only answer we got, which I had known since I was 14, was "you have severe chronic IBS". My life was becoming unmanageable and I was in daily pain and discomfort. I knew I had some food intolerances, but I had no idea how many I truly had and what was causing them.

I purchased a different diagnostic product and was able to find a myriad of foods that were bothering me, but the information was still too vague. For example, according to that testing - I couldn't eat apples.

I wanted more information so for a very small price point tried the 5 Strands. I got my kit, sent in my hair, and about 6 days later - I had the most comprehensive report that gave me so much more information than I thought possible (via email and via the website). I love that the test breaks foods down, for example, my previous testing indicated I couldn't eat apples. Through 5 Strands, I've learned there are two apple varieties that I can have!

The test breaks food into categories like: beverage, dairy, anti-coagulant, food dye, etc. Even better - fruits and vegetables that come in varieties are broken down (like red, yellow, green). With the vegetables, the test even tells you if you can have it in it's raw form or cooked form!

My test indicated I have 393 food intolerances. While that feels overwhelming, now that I'm several weeks into my elimination diet and learning what I can have - I finally feel like I have my life back. Two years ago I considered applying for disability because I couldn't make it more than an hour without pain. Now, I'm about to go back to work full time and I'm in the best physical shape of my life. I rarely have issues, and to be honest, I'm not even convinced I have "IBS". I have A LOT of food intolerances, to many of the common foods and it has been work to figure out how to substitute quinoa and hemp milk for everything ;) BUT - I'm getting healthy and I feel better than I've felt in decades. Without this test - there's no way I would have known I can tolerate cooked carrots vs raw for example.

My only small complaint was that the test results aren't in Excel format. I'm an excel person and I wanted to be able to sort the data in different ways. I put it all into a spreadsheet myself, but it would have been a great option. That's the most minor detail though and it's hardly worth mentioning because this test is so worth it. I've made videos on my Facebook, talk about it to my friends, and am buying them for my children. Everyone should have the opportunity to gain this much insight into their dietary health!

I've been sick on and off (mostly on) for well over a year now, and doctors can't pinpoint the issue. It dawned on me after having cereal with milk and bloating so bad I looked ready to enter labor that it could be food intolerance. Well...after taking the test literally everything I eat from dark chocolate and Canola oil, to everything lactose and most citric fruits, is probably why I'm sick as heck. I have absolutely no idea how to avoid so many things, as apparently even lettuce is a no-go, but I'll try to cut out as much as possible and see what happens. Be nice not to blow up like a hot air balloon nearly everyday.

It showed up in the mail fast and it was an easy to understand process the whole way. Should be getting my results soon, honestly very excited.

On one hand I'm very thankful that I won the argument with myself and finally ordered the test. I am still trying to get adjusted to the diet changes necessary for my system and that's the only drawback! You must be ready and willing to give up (even if it ends up being temporary) the things you love and the way you eat. I did fantastic with the first week. I lost weight"¦but my diet was very bleak compared to what I'd normally eaten. What I learned though is just how drastically foods were affecting me! I thought ok it'll be alright if I just have that one thing and each day that I gave in thinking oh I will surely not be affected - I deeply regretted it. Some days I felt down right ill. So that being said I must commend this company for their tests! If I can get past the enormous "can't have" list, I know I will feel better.