[MEND UK] back log update : cfs/me

[MEND-UK] Food Allergy/Sensitivities and Pulse Test Article



Hi,
I have had ME/CFS/FM/Lyme and Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 20 years. The
information described in this article has helped me a lot and I thought I would
share it with you all.

Joyce Waterhouse

Chronic Illness Support and Research Association (CISRA)
P.O. Box 70166, Pasadena, CA 91117-7116 web site:
 http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN



Issue 5. CISRA’s Synergy Health Newsletter 1999

Summary

Many people have found that reducing food allergies, sensitivities and
intolerances has been helpful in reducing a wide range of symptoms and reducing
exacerbations in many diseases in which the immune, endocrine or nervous systems
are involved (e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, asthma,
inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and autoimmune illnesses,
such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis). This article
focuses on food reactions, although reactions to inhaled chemicals are also
important and will be touched on briefly. Food
allergies/sensitivities/intolerances are often neglected because the reactions may be complex and variable, and
involve multiple immune and non-immune mechanisms. Only a small proportion
of people experience very obvious reactions, like an immediate rash or
anaphylactic reaction (IgE mediated, Type I reaction). More common and more difficult
to detect are the delayed immune sensitivities (Types II, III and IV) and the
intolerances, such as lactose, gluten or fructose intolerance, or problems
due to lectins or oxalates. Even the IgE mediated reactions are not always easy
to identify and may include a late phase reaction. Reactions are not limited
to proteins, but have been shown to occur when other substances combine with
proteins to form haptens. Increases in intestinal permeability due to a
variety of causes can allow potentially allergenic substances to enter the blood
stream. (Note: for convenience, allergy or allergen is meant to include all
types of IgE and non IgE reactions.)

Unfortunately, many people do not realize that food and chemical
allergies/sensitivities/intolerances are contributing to or causing their symptoms. The
phenomenon of masking, the multiplicity of mechanisms and tests, the effects
on systems other than the gastrointestinal tract and the changing level of
sensitivity with exposure, all complicate the identification of food reactions.
Some people try just one type of test and eliminate a few foods and believe
this is all they can do. Many do benefit greatly in this way, especially if the
test is fairly comprehensive, like the ELISA/ACT test (covers 390 foods and
chemicals and Types II, III and IV sensitivities; a controlled study showed
that use of the test results led to a 30-50% symptom reduction in fibromyalgia
patients). However, for others, an incomplete approach leads them to miss many
foods that cause reactions via a different mechanism and/or they develop new
sensitivities to the foods that replace those they eliminated. As a
consequence, there is an underestimation of the role of food reactions in many illness.

This article briefly discusses 4 reasons food
allergies/sensitivities/intolerances are often neglected and 5 reasons it is important to detect and
eliminate or treat them. Next, the article presents the pulse test, as described by
Arthur Coca, M.D., as well as a shortcut version of the test and ways of
maximizing the test’s effectiveness. Then follows a discussion of some other
methods, along with some of the experiences of the author from 15 years of
learning about and dealing with severe food sensitivities. Among the ideas and
issues included are: 1. a brief outline of 8 types of food reactions, including
ideas on how to minimize problems with oxalate-containing foods, 2. the
elimination diet with food “challenge†testing, 3. the rotation diet and how it may
be modified to reduce problems with “unmasking†that may intensify symptoms,
4. how food cravings and other “withdrawal†symptoms may be used to help
identify allergens, 5. a brief discussion of immunotherapy, 6. the importance
of striving for maximal avoidance of allergens, including chemicals, to allow
the body to become less hypervigilant, 7. the potential role of microbes, such
as newly-identified Mycoplasma species, Entamoeba histolytica, Candida
albicans and certain viruses in creating a vicious cycle, in which microbes may
increase allergies and allergies may make it harder to eradicate microbes, 8. other
ways proposed to reduce reactions, such as guaifenesin and low carbohydrate
diets for hypoglycemia, 9. survey results showing avoidance of problem foods
and chemicals being rated one of the most successful treatments by chronic
fatigue syndrome patients, 10. increased knowledge seems likely to increase
benefit for those who have not had as much success with allergy testing. The final
section includes a Reference section and a Resource section, providing lists
of companies and organizations that offer products and services that may be of
use in combating allergies.

For those with moderate to severe sensitivities, the help of a physician,
preferably one trained by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM),
is highly recommended. However, it is the view of the author, that even with
the physician’s assistance, do-it-yourself methods are a helpful, and for
some, an essential adjunct to achieve maximal health benefits



for entire article, see: www.members.aol.com/SynergyHN

for 2004 update, see:  http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN/2004FA.html

P.S. And I used to get very frequent colds and gastrointestinal flus until I
learned of the preventive methods described here:
 http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN/CFstrategy Cold and Flu Prevention Strategy



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