We are a certified laboratory that specializes in food intolerance testing.

Our story began 14 years ago. Adela Sedláková, the managing director of SEPEA, told us more about it.

Try to tell us something about yourself and the beginnings of the company.

I have a medical degree, so I am also a paramedic. I discovered food intolerance testing in 2009. I don't think anyone knew then that food intolerances would ever be tested on the scale they are today. Through years of experience, it is clear that such testing makes sense. Those fourteen years ago, we started with the simplest test you could buy in a pharmacy. Later, the power of testing passed exclusively into the hands of professionals.

In 2017, we set up a certified laboratory located in Bratislava. This was supplied to us by our supplier of testing raw material. This is currently the most sophisticated method of testing that can be used. The laboratories that we are working on are located in many countries in different parts of the world. The whole of these systems are covered by the test raw material manufacturer, which is located in the UK.

Several types of tests are done in the laboratory. By focusing only on food intolerance and never looking at any other topic, it is not a fringe issue for us or part of a broad portfolio. We specialize exclusively in food intolerance.

Finding the blame

You said that there was virtually no experience in Slovakia in this area. Did you also look for information abroad?

Testing came to me somehow on its own. I had a young son at the time who had chronic digestive and bowel problems. The hospital found virtually nothing and sent us home, saying he had a longer colon and recommended surgery in the future. Then abdominal pain was added, we had check-ups with a gastroenterologist, and later with a psychologist. Headaches, trouble concentrating came into the mix, so we had eye tests, neurology, etc.

As the years went by, I noticed eczema on my son's face, which appeared, then disappeared, and so on and so forth. Visits to the skin doctor and allergist awaited us. In the meantime, I searched, begging the teachers to make him sit as far away from the blackboard as possible. I was worried that he was reacting to dust from the classroom, for example. It also occurred to me that the linoleum, or the glue from it, might be the stumbling block. It was all overwhelming, I had a feeling of helplessness. Many mothers know what it's like to invest a tremendous amount of effort and time, and of course money, into your child's health.

Then a friend told me that there was such a test. At first I dismissed it as I had all sorts of results from doctors and it seemed like money wasted. It was only after a few days that I decided to take the plunge. The test revealed that my son has a severe intolerance to cow's milk protein, egg white and gluten. Despite the fact that he had been tested for celiac disease a couple of weeks before, which tests for different antibodies.

With hindsight, I believe it is reasonable to think about the patient holistically, namely the possible association of migraine with eczema, but also abdominal pain with impaired concentration, etc., and to wonder if there is a common denominator to all of this.

Age doesn't matter

When would you recommend getting tested for food tolerance?

People usually seek us out when they experience something similar to what I did with my son, that is, when they are literally at their wits end and don't know what to do next. There are also those who do not want to go to allergology, because they have already studied something and can rule it out themselves.

I therefore recommend the food intolerance test to those who have long-term problems and want to avoid using chemical preparations. If I know I have migraines and I can't identify a food, such a test can be extremely helpful.

What tests does SEPEA offer?

It depends on financial possibilities and also on how seriously a person perceives his problem. It often happens that people call to ask which test we would recommend and whether it is the right time to buy it in their case.

I would always recommend the 225 food test, not because it is the most expensive, but because it is the most comprehensive and sensitive. However, all our tests have up to 96 percent reliability.

We also have tests for 22 foods, for 40 foods, but also for 109, 120 and the already mentioned 225, we also call it 200+.

SEPEA also offers an e-shop, where customers are often anonymous. From available data and personal experience, can we determine what kind of clientele it is?

It is primarily about mothers of children, because endlessly handling various confirmations is more demanding with children. Here too, however, it is true that they turn to the food intolerance test only when they no longer know what to do.

However, it should be emphasized that these tests are not intended to replace medical care. I am convinced that they should be accepted as part of the overall diagnosis.

A large group of our customers are also young people who want to live a healthy life. We also work with nutritionists who, together with the report, can provide the client with a more comprehensive service. Such tests help them a lot when setting up their menus.

However, among our customers there are also women of productive age, who already take care of their health to a greater extent and take it as prevention.

Help for doctors

You mentioned nutritionists. Who else do you work with?

Private clinics and doctors are also looking for us. Considering the workload, such cooperation is extremely welcome for them.

They know that we specialize in this topic and can provide proper service and care to their patients. Doctors know that the patient is in our hands and can communicate the results with our specialists.

What kind of doctors are they?

Especially about the so-called first contact, with whom the patient always ends up, i.e. paediatricians, general practitioners, internists. It can also be, for example, gynecologists who use testing for infertility or spontaneous abortions, as well as rheumatologists whose patients suffer from joint pain for a long time.

We assume that you need to have certificates for food intolerance testing.

Of course. We have certified laboratory systems and are properly trained for them. Professional specialized laboratory workers work in the laboratories.

Recently, there is a lot of talk about the microbiome, i.e. the genome of the intestinal microbial flora, according to many it is the alpha and omega of everything. Do you agree?

Setting the microbiome is important, but first of all, in my opinion, it is necessary to remove the so-called drivers, i.e. harmful foods, and only then can we begin to address the intestinal microbiome and not the other way around. We will be dealing with bacteria for nothing when we keep adding something to the body that harms it. It's like trying to drive a car with the handbrake on.

Important info

We test from capillary blood (taking from a finger). We provide the highest level of service in this area.

SEPEA Elisa Screen sampling sets have a certificate from the Slovak State Institute for Drug Control (ŠÚKL).

For testing, our partners are the British companies Omega Diagnostics and Cambridge Nutritional Sciences, which have their own scientific base, research and years of experience.

The reliability of our tests is 96%. Our British partner is a member of the British Association for In Vitro Diagnostics (BIVDA).

The quality management of their facilities is certified ISO9001:2008 and also ISO 13485:2003.

We provide advice on all products supplied by our company on the indicated infoline 0918 621 847, you can also contact us by e-mail.

If you are a doctor, pharmacy, nutritionist, you deal professionally in this field and you are interested in cooperation, please contact us.