17 replies to this topic

[Tobus]

Many of us who are tested for allergies are not tested for food allergies. They must be specifically tested for, not by pricking the skin, but by blood test.

There are even doctors who say diet has no affect on acne, but that is extremely misleading.
If you're allergic to some type of food, that food will cause inflammation, which can lead to acne as well as dozens of other problems.

There are cultures that have no acne whatsoever simply because of their diet.

If you don't think you have any food allergies, think of it this way.
Having a dairy allergy is actually the NORM. Drinking another animal's milk isn't natural. People who aren't allergic have adapted! It's true.

Dairy allergies are extremely common, though sometimes subtle.
You may have noticed having a breakout after eating pizza, or icecream, or a cheese omelet. You also might feel tired and in a bad mood, or depressed. These are common side effects of having a food allergy.

If you really want to cure yourself, and I'm sure you do, take an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay).

This way you'll know exactly which foods to cut out of your diet. Until you take the test, try to simply stop eating dairy products, because there is a good chance, especially if you have other allergies, that you have some degree of dairy allergy. Of course, take a multi-vitamin or get your calcium from another source.
Try using soy milk instead of milk, I think it tastes better anyway.

Even the most subtle food allergies can cause acne, because for the entire duration the food is in your system, it causes inflammation.

Next time you have an appointment with your primary care physician, or if you have a way to contact him/her, ask about taking an ELISA.

It could solve all of your problems with acne.

Sincerely Word,
Toby Turner

[SweetJade1980]

Many of us who are tested for allergies are not tested for food allergies. They must be specifically tested for, not by pricking the skin, but by blood test.

There are even doctors who say diet has no affect on acne, but that is extremely misleading.
If you're allergic to some type of food, that food will cause inflammation, which can lead to acne as well as dozens of other problems.
........................................

Dairy allergies are extremely common, though sometimes subtle.
You may have noticed having a breakout after eating pizza, or icecream, or a cheese omelet. You also might feel tired and in a bad mood, or depressed. These are common side effects of having a food allergy.

If you really want to cure yourself, and I'm sure you do, take an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay).

This way you'll know exactly which foods to cut out of your diet. Until you take the test, try to simply stop eating dairy products, because there is a good chance, especially if you have other allergies, that you have some degree of dairy allergy. Of course, take a multi-vitamin or get your calcium from another source.
Try using soy milk instead of milk, I think it tastes better anyway.

Even the most subtle food allergies can cause acne, because for the entire duration the food is in your system, it causes inflammation.

Next time you have an appointment with your primary care physician, or if you have a way to contact him/her, ask about taking an ELISA.

It could solve all of your problems with acne.

Sincerely Word,
Toby Turner

Thanks so much for mentioning this. More specifically we should find out if we have food hypersensitivies. People use the word allergy back and forth though, so I guess it makes it confusing.

An ELISA is an Food Intolerance Test that looks at specific Hypersensitives dealing with IgG antibodies. Usually known as Type III Immune Complex Hypersensitivies (a form of an immediate reaction occuring within 24 hours). Acne is associated with this form as well as Type IV Cell Mediated Hypersensitivities (a delayed reaction occuring with in 48 - 72 hours or later), but this form can not be detected on an ELISA test because you aren't looking at antibodies but PMN leukocytes (white blood cells). Therefore if one TRULY wanted to test to see if they had food and/or chemical induced acne, they would have to take several tests, one for each type of Hypersensitivy (4 or 5 types)!

For those interested in an ELISA or some other form of a Food Intolerance Test costs several hundered dollars, offer varying ranges of support (3, 6, or 12 months), and provide you with 3 sets of food lists. For example York Allergy has one posted on Amazon (you can also go to their website), here's the description:

$379

Our IgG ELISA At-Home Food Intolerance Test Kit allows you to be screened against 96 foods (including gluten & gliadin) for food intolerance (delayed food allergy) in the privacy and comfort of your own home. This clinically validated laboratory analysis will accurately identify which foods are the culprits behind your ill-health. Once your specimen has been collected, by use of our simple "pin-prick" method (no blood draw is required), it is mailed to our laboratory for analysis (we provide the pre-addressed, pre-paid, plastic international bio-shipping return mailer).

When your food intolerance screening is completed, you will be sent a detailed report showing which foods you were screened against and which ones tested as being positive (offending) and which ones were negative (safe). In addition to your printed test results, you will receive the 48-page Food Intolerance Guidebook. This Guidebook is full of valuable information including:

* 2-page multi-colored test result + an additional 2-page B& W colored copy. (The colored copy for yourself and the B& W copy can be shared with your doctor, dietician, nutritionist, etc.)

* A letter of interpretation from our office.

* Easy-to-follow information on implementing your test results.

* Recipes.

* Food lists.

* Food family cross-reference guide.

* Nutrition chart.

* Progress checklist.


* Dietary recommendations.

* A listing of various companies that provide products and literature, which you will find useful while on your elimination diet.

* A detailed receipt with your test results which will reflect the appropriate CPT code and insurance information so you may submit it to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement.

Additionally, you will automatically receive 12 months of unlimited and complimentary support, which will assist and support you with the recommendations provided by your foodSCAN test results and in the Food Intolerance Guidebook.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006U6KJ...lance&n=3760901

More Info:

ELISA Food Allergy and Intolerance Testing

The food allergy and intolerance test is called an ELISA (ee-LIE-zuh) Food Allergy and Intolerance Panel. ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, a term describing the biochemical process whereby antibodies are detected in your blood.

This test is a direct measurement of your immune system's response to food. It is not affected by what you ate the day of the test or even the week of the test.

The ELISA food allergy and intolerance test measures both IgG and IgE antibodies, unlike other food allergy testing.

In a normal healthy person, or in someone with no food allergies, no antibodies will be detected. However, in a high percentage of people with chronic health problems, this test reveals elevated antibodies to a specific food or foods. Invariably, these people feel better after removal of the offending food(s) and treatment for deficiencies related to their food allergy.



Why Skin Testing Doesn’t Work For Food Allergies
If you thought you might have an allergy, your doctor likely ordered a skin test. Skin testing for food allergies has been the traditional way to test for allergies for several decades. This test involves injecting a substance under the skin and measuring the resulting inflammation, also known as a wheal.

In skin testing, the wheal is measured. The size of the wheal determines whether or not an allergy is diagnosed. The technique leaves a lot to be desired because we don’t inject food under our skin, nor do we necessarily get a red bump when we have a food allergy. Equally importantly, this test only has the potential to measure one type of antibody response, called IgE.

“What’s IgE,� you ask? Good question. First, you need to understand that the immune system is very complex. Numerous kinds of antibodies are produced, including IgE , IgG, and many others. They are called immunoglobulins. If you are deathly allergic to something then it is usually an IgE reaction. (However, you can have an IgE reaction to food that isn’t deadly.) The problem is that most food allergies are not IgE, but rather IgG reactions. IgG is a delayed response that typically shows up hours later and may never result in a wheal. However, IgG is a potent stimulator of the inflammatory process, resulting in a variety of allergy symptoms in people.

The most accurate way to detect food allergies is through ELISA testing of the blood. This food allergy testing method measures the actual amount of both IgE and IgG in the blood.

http://www.foodallergysolutions.com/allergy-testing.html

Food Allergy Test - Sample Report

http://www.foodallergysolutions.com/allerg...ing-sample.html (for sample report)

Another example:
The ALCAT Test (14 different types ranging from $87.50 - $1000) http://www.alcat.com/catalog/

The ALCAT Test is proven to be accurate in identifying the relevant foods and substances associated with the many types of chronic inflammatory and metabolic disorders by identifying food, mold and chemical sensitivities.

By definition, "allergies" to foods are acute and the symptom onset is rapid, sometimes within moments. The biological cause is very well understood and because of the rapid symptom onset, testing is usually not necessary to identify the culprit. These reactions are not very common but if you think you have a "true" food allergy it is wise to visit an allergist for comprehensive testing and advice on precautions.

More commonly, delayed adverse reactions to foods, additives and other chemicals are not really classical allergies and the delay of symptom onset and the multitude of possible pathogenic mechanisms involved render the identification of the offending food(s) or substance(s) to be much more complicated.

Whereas approximately only 2-5% of the US pop. has a classical allergy to a food it is estimated that as many as 80-90% of the pop. has some form of adverse reaction to one or more foods or additives manifesting in a broad range of disorders; including, migraine headache, weight gain, fatigue, hyperactivity/ADD, arthritis, breathing and skin disorders, recurring ear infections in children, depression and various others.

Standard allergy tests, such as skin testing, are not accurate for these type of reactions as they measure only a single mechanism, such as mast cell release of histamine or the presence in the blood of the IgE molecules associated with such release.

The ALCAT Test is available in the United States as well as the U.K., Italy, Denmark, Israel, South Africa, Taiwan, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Greece, Germany, Ukraine, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and South America including Colombia, Venezuela and Chile. http://www.alcat.com

Take Care!


PS. It is to be noted that the owner of quack watch doesn't believe in any other method other than skin testing! However he DOES believe in some variation of the "Gold Standard", an Elimination Diet and, unfortunately, this is the most accepted and affordable method when it comes to testing for Type IV Delayed Hypersensitivites:

Proper Testing

The correct way to assess a suspected food allergy or intolerance is to begin with a careful record of food intake and symptoms over a period of several weeks. Symptoms such as swollen lips or eyes, hives, or skin rash may be allergy-related, particularly if they occur within a few minutes (up to two hours) after eating. Diarrhea may be related to a food intolerance. Vague symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, or fatigue are not food-related. The history-taking procedure should note the suspected foods, the amounts consumed, the length of time between ingestion and symptoms, whether there is a consistent pattern of symptoms after the food is consumed, and several other factors. Although nearly any food can cause an allergic reaction, a few foods account for about 90% of reactions. Among adults these foods are peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish. Among children, they are egg, milk, peanuts, soy, and wheat [14].

If significant symptoms occur, the next step should be to see whether avoiding suspected foods for several weeks prevents possible allergy-related symptoms from recurring. If so, the suspected foods could be reintroduced one at a time to see whether symptoms can be reproduced. However, if the symptoms include hives, vomiting, swollen throat, wheezing, or other difficulty in breathing, continued self-testing could be dangerous, so an allergist should be consulted. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelate...lergytests.html

[SweetJade1980]

For those of you that want to spring the money to test for Type IV Hypersensitivites or DTH reactions for which acne was defined as in the below article, there's always some form of the Nutron Test. Problem is....there was so much controversy over this test, partly due to being misinformed about what it WOULD test, and partly because the technique wasn't perfected enough, that I believe this company has gone out of business.

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2004 Apr-Jun;108(2):319-24. Related Articles, Links


[Immunohistochemical evidence of chronic inflammation in acne vulgaris]

[Article in Romanian]

Branisteanu D, Cianga C, Cianga P, Petrescu Z, Carasevici E.

Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iasi, Facultatea de Medicina, Clinica Dermatologica.

The etiology and pathogenesis of acne vulgaris are not yet completely understood. Therefore we have investigated 5 patients with different clinical forms of disease, including the rare form of acne fulminans. Taking into consideration the four factors that are currently incriminated in the development of acne, sebaceous hypersecretion, hyperkeratosis of the pilosebaceous infundibulum, bacterial colonisation and perifollicular inflammation, we have focused our study on a set of cells involved in the chronic inflammatory process. We have evidenced by immunohistochemistry methods, using appropriate monoclonal antibodies, the presence of T lymphocytes and macrophages, while the B cells could be evidenced only in the severe forms. We were also interested to investigate the occurrence of new capillary formation, as an accompanying phenomenon of the inflammatory process. The presence and histological distribution of these cells highly supports the hypothesis that the mechanisms underlying the development of acne vulgaris belong to the Delayed Type Hypersensitivity.

PMID: 15688807 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...l=pubmed_docsum

So, for those still interested, there are however a few other companies using improved versions of this test:

A) ALCAT: $87.50 - $1000 US Appears to offer a cellular test as well as their IgG tests that looks for volume size changes of white blood cells since at least 1996. (may explain why some PCOS women had similar results with this test as those did with IAAP test)

http://www.alcat.com/Images/Pdf/The_Short_..._ALCAT_Test.pdf
http://www.alcat.com/Images/Pdf/ALCAT_A_ne...sensitivity.pdf

Recognizing that patients' reactions to foods, molds, chemicals, and drugs follow various pathways, a technologically simple method of measuring the effects of multiple pathogenic mechanisms on cellular populations provides a logical and cost-efficient system for testing such sensitivities. It also appears that most, if not all, of the various mediator pathways involved in these sensitivities affect reactions in associated blood cells.

The ALCAT Diagnostic System is designed to measure these blood cell reactions. The methodology involves:

Using innovative laboratory reagents to allow accurate cell measurement in their native form.

Individually processed test samples using an automated cell sizer and counter.

Comparison of the test sample cellular distribution curve against the "baseline" curve.

B) Immogenics/NOVO: $555 US tests 115 foods & candida, provides 2 food lists, and Club NOVO membership support.

http://www.immogenics.com/pdf/english/uk_food_list.pdf (foods tested)
http://www.immogenics.com/pdf/english/sample_results.pdf (sample diet list)

Excerpts:

NOVO's Personalised Approach

NOVO tests you individually and treats you individually.

NOVO is developed from scientific theories surrounding the response (inflammation) of the immune system to foreign substances. These theories are based on the knowledge that the primary function of the immune system is to defend the body against potentially harmful particles and products.

A person’s immune response to outside influences is as personal as one’s DNA. White blood cells are the ‘army’ used by the immune system to combat foreign influences and they work via the release and reaction of chemicals within the cardiovascular canals.

Overuse of medications such as antibiotics and our increasingly stressful lifestyles coupled with increased alcohol consumption are affecting our digestive systems. Increased gut porosity is one such negative effect and allows greater foodstuffs into the bloodstream from the stomach before they have been fully digested. In the bloodstream these undigested particles are not recognized by the body and are treated as ‘foreign’ in the same way the body treats viruses and bacteria. This provokes an inflammatory reaction by the immune system i.e. your body launches an attack on the foodstuff.
This inflammatory reaction activates our white blood cells and sets in motion a chain of events which can cause low energy and weight gain, as well as a host of other symptoms.
When in this inflammatory state, the body’s cellular immune receptors (integrin receptors) signal to the cells to launch an immune response. This reduces activation of the cellular metabolism receptor (tyrosine kinase) which usually works to open the cell door to allow in energy. This causes less energy (glycogen) to be allowed into the cells.

Therefore, this inflammatory reaction causes more energy to be stored rather than be used by the body and so encourages weight gain. As cells receive less energy the body feels hungrier sooner after a meal and a person may feel the need to eat again hence encouraging the intake of excess calories. A lack of energy in cells such as muscle cells causes general low energy levels.

Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, migraines, acne, psoriasis etc. may be direct results of an over-activated immune system.

The specific foodstuffs causing this inflammatory reaction are different for every individual.
http://www.immogenics.com/pagify.php?page=...ch&lang=english

• If I test myself again will I get the same results?
It is impossible for any test which involves the human body to be replicated exactly when there is any time difference between tests. This is the same for cholesterol tests, blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, vitamin and mineral tests as well as NOVO.

The body is a constantly changing entity and the immune system in particular is very complex and continually changing. The medical equipment used also has some tiny effect on reproducibility as well (about 5%). Therefore, we are naturally not able to guarantee 100% reproducibility. We have in place many quality control procedures as standard which help us to ensure that we are always producing very accurate results. Our laboratory will pick up on any problems which may effect your results immediately.

The NOVO programme is effective because all foods causing an inflammatory response are avoided and then a process of re-introduction takes place after 5 weeks which will highlight the ‘key culprits’.

Once a person begins the programme their body’s response to foods will begin to change immediately. Therefore, it will always be the case that once a person has followed the programme for any length of time they will not receive the same results if retested.


NOVO & food allergies

• Is this an allergy test?

No. Acute allergies (IgE or Type 1 allergies) are when a person has a severe and usually very immediate reaction to food such as breathing difficulties, swelling of tongue, mouth, lips, eyes or throat, large itchy red lumps on the skin, continuous sneezing or watery, itchy eyes. These types of allergies usually develop in early childhood, are lifelong and often run in families. An allergy test looks for a very specific response to food - a high production of a particular anti-body called histamine.

The NOVO programme diagnoses whether a food causes an inflammatory response in the body by looking at the level of white blood cells in response to a food. We do not test for histamine production in response to foods so do not diagnose food allergies. Therefore, it is possible that an acute allergy may not be detected.

• What if I already know I have an acute food allergy?

If you know you have an allergy to a particular food than we advise that you continue to avoid this food whatever the results. The food may appear on an allowed food list, this is because we do not test for specific acute allergic reactions.

• What is the difference between the NOVO test and other food sensitivity tests?

There are many different food sensitivity tests available – many of which have no scientific grounding. Many tests conducted by a blood test look at the response by your blood to food by testing for only one specific reaction (such as IgG antibodies). Using the most state-of-the-art equipment the NOVO programme tests for over 1 million reactions per food. This means that the NOVO programme stands out as the most sensitive and accurate test available in the world.

.................................

• Can I drink alcohol on the programme?

We recommend that everyone on the NOVO programme avoids all alcohol for the first 8 - 10 weeks.

• If I cut out alcohol won't I lose weight anyway because I am reducing my calorie intake?

Our recommendation that you avoid alcohol for the first 8 – 10 weeks is not a means of managing calories. Our research has shown that people who have never drunk alcohol lose just as much weight following the NOVO programme as those that previously regularly drank alcohol.

Alcohol is one of the major causes of damage to the gut lining. By avoiding alcohol you give your body a chance to heal itself.

• Is it true I may feel ill at the start of the programme?

Many people experience some detox symptoms in the first couple of weeks of the programme. It is a sign that the body is responding to a change of diet, in particular the removal of foods regularly eaten. These symptoms are usually mild and last a few days.

• Can I use my friend's programme?

Each programme is very individual and based on your body's own response to food therefore you will not get results following someone else's programme.

• How long do I have to stay on the diet?

We recommend that you follow the programme strictly for a minimum period of five weeks. At this time you can choose to re-introduce some of the foods at the bottom of your trigger list. This is just a guideline. There may also be foods which you decide to avoid on a more permanent basis if you feel they are the real problem foods or make you feel unwell when you eat them. Our nutritionist team can work with you through the re-introduction phase.

................

Candida albicans

• You test for Candida, what is this?

Candida albicans is a naturally occurring yeast in the body. Sometimes it can overgrow and a person may have too much yeast in their system. This is one of the causes of damage to the gut lining which can cause inflammatory responses to food. If you come back with a positive result you are advised to treat this by following an anti-candida diet - all the instructions are given in the Help Notes which accompany the test results.
http://www.immogenics.com/pagify.php?page=...g=english#blood

C) IAAP: $1500 U.S., includes monitoring equipment, weekly monitoring, lifetime support, 3 food lists and tests over 100 foods, herbs and at least candida.

The IAAP (Immune Activation Avoidance Program) uses automated hematology analysis to determine the degree of activation caused by a particular food using a blood sample from the individual concerned. Tests have shown that even identical twins suffering from the same condition can react to different foods.

A small sample of blood is incubated with a particular food and the degree of ‘activation’ compared to a control sample (a further sample from the same individual). Using a combination of techniques, including laser, the likely response of the immune system can be determined across a broad range of foods. Where activation is detected, the food is eliminated from the eventual ‘diet’.

IAAP should not be confused with allergy testing or food intolerance – it is a direct measure of immune activation as occurs with bacteria, viruses and any other foreign matter including transplanted organs.

Immune activation provokes systemic disease as the blood travels to all parts of the body. As a treatment option its main advantage is simply that it removes cause. In addition, because of the systemic nature of the resulting inflammation, immune activation can create multiple disease states, as in PCOS (link to PCOS and Infertility); currently these multiple disease states will be treated with multiple drug intervention – removal of cause is a single and highly effective ‘treatment’.

http://www.fertilityforall.com/IAAP/

The test
It is important to appreciate that the response illustrated is not an allergy; it is the immune response that is dedicated to the detection and removal of pathogens (i.e. a disease causing micro-organism).

The sophistication and comprehensive range of responses available to the white cells of the immune system (and the roll played by the platelets) makes all other forms of testing less than appropriate, e.g. tests featuring the detection of various markers cannot detect activation of a PMN or a platelet, while cell counting methods are completely obsolete (although still available).

The EPC procedure

Fortunately, blood cells remain live and viable for some considerable time after being removed from the body. Cells can still react to a pathogen after they have been removed from the body. It is impractical to subject the response to more than one hundred foods to microscope investigation. However, the development of automated hematology analyzers allow a complete assay to be provided.

The individual’s whole blood sample (i.e. white and red cells) is subdivided into small aliquots (or sub-samples). Each of these sub-samples is either treated as a control (i.e. nothing is done to it except that it ‘ages’ at the same rate as the other sub-samples) or is incubated with an extract (a highly diluted liquid) of one of the foods to be tested. The food extracts are the same as those used for routine intra-dermal allergy testing in hospitals around the world.

Following a period of incubation, the samples are investigated using the automated hematology analyzer. Recent advances in measuring techniques now allow a comprehensive investigation of the state of the white cells following exposure.

Where signs of activation are apparent as contrasted with the controls, a food will be disallowed. If no sign of activation can be found, the food is allowed. Automation removes the problem of operator bias or possible inattention. Data is available immediately and is converted into ‘eat’ – ‘don’t eat’ by an algorithm built into the EPC computer system making ‘client ready results’ available immediately for onward transmission to the client.

http://www.fertilityforall.com/hiw/index.htm (incl. pictures)

Unfortunately the author of the books and creator of this test was once associated with the Nutron Test (and Immogenics) so if you think this board had diet-acne controversy, you should have read what it was like with the women on various PCOS boards! OMG, I felt so bad for the author and a few of these women because they were getting attacked. Based on some recent testimonies, this test doesn't work 100% of the time (didn't work for 2 or 3 people so far), but the immune system is complex and with time, I'm sure they'll come up with another improved version. However, you can read about it most of it here (and some testimonies) http://www.pcosupport.org/forums/viewforum...6cb8af0afc81cb5 , but it's rather sickening and ultimately, in the end those that choose not to buy the books (w/ over 153 references & abstracts), or follow the Hard Method - Elimination Diet or the Easy Method - the IAAP Test (or some similar test) only hurt themselves, not to mention their children (possibly passing this disease onto them), in the end. I can't think of any greater miracle than conception, when under normal circumstances you couldn't...but it's their life.

Furthermore, please note that this test is NOT only for women with PCOS. This company also provides this service for athletes as well as those dealing with obesity, heart disease, insulin resistance and other signs of the Metabolic Syndrome, which according to more recent studies is being classified as a Chronic Silent Inflammatory Disease! As for the results: lowered testosterone, clearer skin, reduced hirsutism, loss of weight, onset of menses, less depression, more energy and, among the relief of other symptoms....women that couldn't get pregnant with years of trying did so within weeks! http://www.pcosliving.com

[Dotty1]

You might want to add www.EnteroLab.com. They test for gluten, soy, yeast, egg and dairy sensitivity via stool tests and have a 95% accuracy rate. 5% of the population lacks histamines(?) so the test can be inaccurate if you happen to be part of that 5%.

Each test is $99 and you can order it via the mail or internet. You send your stool sample to them and then you can check your results online.

EnterLab's stool sample test for gluten-sensitivity is even more accurate than the blood test and "gold-standard" biopsy.

[bdonpowerlifter]

You might want to add www.EnteroLab.com. They test for gluten, soy, yeast, egg and dairy sensitivity via stool tests and have a 95% accuracy rate. 5% of the population lacks histamines(?) so the test can be inaccurate if you happen to be part of that 5%.

Each test is $99 and you can order it via the mail or internet. You send your stool sample to them and then you can check your results online.

EnterLab's stool sample test for gluten-sensitivity is even more accurate than the blood test and "gold-standard" biopsy.

So the specific foods you listed are the only ones it tests for? If willing to shell out the money, would you suggest using one that test for more than that?

[Dotty1]

Yes, EnteroLab only tests for those 5 foods.

I am not familiar with ELISA or ALCAT tests and want more information about them.

I certainly would pick EnteroLab over ANY traditional allergy tests offered at my doctor's office - for example, the "scratch test," the "Celiac Blood Test" and the "Celiac Gold-Standard Biopsy Test."
The scratch tests at doctor's offices are worthless. I don't even know why they offer them.

But I know very little about ELISA and ALCAT tests so I cannot give an answer. But if ELISA and ALCAT use blood tests, then I would definitely pick EnteroLab because it is a stool test. The histamines(?) or IgA(?) that all of the tests are measuring are found in copious amounts in the bowel movement after eating an allergenic food. But it takes YEARS AND YEARS for them to finally show up in the blood (and that is why the Celiac Blood Test is only accurate 60% of the time... but the Celiac Stool Test is accurate 95% of the time).

Edited by Dotty1, 11 March 2010 - 06:33 PM.

[Drizzler]

I wonder, would it be a good idea to eat every type of food (soy/wheat/dairy/citrus etc) in the few days before the test. That way anything your body reacts to would be present. Do I have this right? I.e. maybe I have a dairy allergy, but I haven't had any dairy in weeks, so the test might not show any reactivity. Do I have this right?

SweetJade hopefully you see this...

[wicky]

i would be interested to know this as well. I had a stool test done and a parasite was discovered. Too bad it ddidnt help my breakouts or the out of the blue welts and hives I get along my jaw line...I had a DNA test done on a hair sample and was wondering how accurate it was and if anyone has had this done?

[Rusnakes]

From what I understand, you don't need to add these things back into your diet for the stool sample with Enterolab. I just ran across a thread on a gluten-free discussion board about Enterolab and their results. Thought you might be interested: http://www.glutenfre...terolab-testing

I am going to get this test done. I've researched all of the options and it seems as though the blood testing is not very accurate, although it does test for a LOT of food sensitivities. As a side note, I found out that gluten was a trigger for my acne several months ago. I had eaten homemade (i.e., hand milled) cream of wheat for breakfast and then had whole wheat (again, hand milled) pancakes with my family for supper. I was SO sick from it, I was actually dizzy. I stopped eating gluten-based products as a trial, and wouldn't you know it, my acne improved about 60% in a couple of days. Mind you, I have adult-onset cystic acne, with persistent moderate levels of "surface" acne (a blend of all types), which had been around for 19 years (acquired at age 19, and I just turned 38). I have tried literally EVERYTHING for my acne and this was the first thing that worked that lasted longer than 3 days (I always get a 3-day magical "drop" in symptoms, only to have things return). I've found that my face actually has zone of sensitivity, where gluten made my face inflamed (when you see it that way for 19 years, you forget how inflamed it is!) in certain areas, while I believe dairy bothers 2 areas, and something else is bothering my chin and temples. I got a LOT of relief right away from the gluten-free diet. TInkering with other foods to see if I can get back to a completely clear face. AND, one bite of gluten or dairy, and my face is red and acne returned within 1 day.

Good luck on your search. I am a firm believer now in food sensitivities explaining at least a portion of the acne issues out there. Wish the dermatologists were on board with this kind of thinking....


Emily
SE MI

[kidego]

Rusnakes, on 10 October 2011 - 06:44 PM, said:

From what I understand, you don't need to add these things back into your diet for the stool sample with Enterolab. I just ran across a thread on a gluten-free discussion board about Enterolab and their results. Thought you might be interested: http://www.glutenfre...terolab-testing

I am going to get this test done. I've researched all of the options and it seems as though the blood testing is not very accurate, although it does test for a LOT of food sensitivities. As a side note, I found out that gluten was a trigger for my acne several months ago. I had eaten homemade (i.e., hand milled) cream of wheat for breakfast and then had whole wheat (again, hand milled) pancakes with my family for supper. I was SO sick from it, I was actually dizzy. I stopped eating gluten-based products as a trial, and wouldn't you know it, my acne improved about 60% in a couple of days. Mind you, I have adult-onset cystic acne, with persistent moderate levels of "surface" acne (a blend of all types), which had been around for 19 years (acquired at age 19, and I just turned 38). I have tried literally EVERYTHING for my acne and this was the first thing that worked that lasted longer than 3 days (I always get a 3-day magical "drop" in symptoms, only to have things return). I've found that my face actually has zone of sensitivity, where gluten made my face inflamed (when you see it that way for 19 years, you forget how inflamed it is!) in certain areas, while I believe dairy bothers 2 areas, and something else is bothering my chin and temples. I got a LOT of relief right away from the gluten-free diet. TInkering with other foods to see if I can get back to a completely clear face. AND, one bite of gluten or dairy, and my face is red and acne returned within 1 day.

Good luck on your search. I am a firm believer now in food sensitivities explaining at least a portion of the acne issues out there. Wish the dermatologists were on board with this kind of thinking....


Emily
SE MI

If you eliminated Gluten and you still get Acne then it's Soybean. The reason the blood tests fail is because most Dr's are not aware of both tests that are avaliable for each food. ex Soybean IgE is the 1 they order (it's the standard test), they should be ordering Soybean IgE & IgG. Soybean IgG is sent to a Reference Lab and more accurate. So you NEED TO ASK that both IgE & IgG are ordered on ALL allergy tests (unless not avaliable ( all 9 common allergies are avaliable))

[organicfanatic]

Im getting lots of testing done including the E95 food allergies blood test.

Im doing hormone testing, heavy metal testing, food allergies, and candida/ parasites.

I am excited to get the results for the food allergies!

[elsky]

Im looking to get tested as well. I was tested 6-7 years ago when I was breaing out in hives.. and the dr. said i was allergic to soy. How grand is this.. I pretty much each soy products all the time because Im a vegetarian. what now? im going to start taking it out of my diet and see what happens.

[Chestercool]

I wish i could make those tests there...the only test available in my country costs 1500 dollars, and it takes a lot of time cause the lab sends it to germany...dissapointing, I gotta do the old school method, eating a lot of it and see if it makes me breakout, just as i figured out bananas, broccoli and carrots break me out.

for people who is expert in allergies/inmmune system. Im allergic to house dust for example and cotton, if im allergic to many things which affects my respiratory system, are there higher posibilities to have allergies to food?

Edited by Chestercool, 13 December 2011 - 11:36 PM.

[steven m jacobson]

Dotty1, on 11 March 2010 - 06:32 PM, said:

Yes, EnteroLab only tests for those 5 foods.

I am not familiar with ELISA or ALCAT tests and want more information about them.

I certainly would pick EnteroLab over ANY traditional allergy tests offered at my doctor's office - for example, the "scratch test," the "Celiac Blood Test" and the "Celiac Gold-Standard Biopsy Test."
The scratch tests at doctor's offices are worthless. I don't even know why they offer them.

But I know very little about ELISA and ALCAT tests so I cannot give an answer. But if ELISA and ALCAT use blood tests, then I would definitely pick EnteroLab because it is a stool test. The histamines(?) or IgA(?) that all of the tests are measuring are found in copious amounts in the bowel movement after eating an allergenic food. But it takes YEARS AND YEARS for them to finally show up in the blood (and that is why the Celiac Blood Test is only accurate 60% of the time... but the Celiac Stool Test is accurate 95% of the time).

Just to but in a little bit about the scratch tests. In my experience they are not worthless. My father was diagnosed with 2 of the ten top allergens, that being animal hair (cats) and pollen. Those tests for me came back negative, thankfully, but I am allergic to gluten, that stool test does look like a winner though, specially at only 99$, great for someone without insurance.

Edited by steven m jacobson, 14 December 2011 - 06:24 AM.

[tk112233]

organicfanatic, on 11 December 2011 - 07:17 PM, said:

Im getting lots of testing done including the E95 food allergies blood test.

Im doing hormone testing, heavy metal testing, food allergies, and candida/ parasites.

I am excited to get the results for the food allergies!

does insurance cover the E95 blood test? if not, how much money is it?

[Impossible]

Blood tests can only reveal allergies (IgE), not intolerances (IgG). Tests for the latter have no scientific basis, and it's not known if any of the results mean anything. Keep that in mind before you spend a lot of money on them.

[dejaclairevoyant]

Quote

Try using soy milk instead of milk, I think it tastes better anyway.

I know you're trying to help but I just had to correct you on this--soy is one of the most common allergens and very unhealthy in general. Many people make the mistake of getting off dairy and meat and loading up on soy.

[organicfanatic]

tk112233, on 14 December 2011 - 10:13 PM, said:

organicfanatic, on 11 December 2011 - 07:17 PM, said:

Im getting lots of testing done including the E95 food allergies blood test.

Im doing hormone testing, heavy metal testing, food allergies, and candida/ parasites.

I am excited to get the results for the food allergies!

does insurance cover the E95 blood test? if not, how much money is it?

I don't have insurance so I had to pay for it. It cost about 250$. I got the results back today and wow... i have a lot of allergies.. luckily I have already cut most the things out of my diet that I am sensitive to. I got it done through my naturopath. It's worth looking into