Hydrolyzed proteins are often used as the primary source of protein in a diet, particularly in elimination diets, since these proteins do not cause allergenic responses.[12] This is because the digestive tract breaks down the protein into individual amino acids that the body is unable to recognize as the offending protein, allowing the protein source to bypass the allergenic immune response associated with IgE.[13] This avoidance of the immune reaction allows the animal to eat a sufficient protein source without the immune system interfering.[13]