Food+Hypersensitivity

=Allergies and Intolerances= Allergy is an abnormal response triggered by the immune systems toward improperly digested proteins. When the microvilli barrier lining in the intestine is damaged, the proteins are able to penetrate the lining and enter the bloodstream, triggering an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody response and histamine release from the basophils and mastocytes. They can also trigger IgG or immune complex reactions, but these are rarely recognized by allopathic medicine.

Intolerances are reactions involving food molecules that are either naturally occurring (e.g.: histamine, tyramine, ect) or added by the agri-food industry (phenylalanine, tartazine, monosodium glutamate, ect).

Some of the most common intolerances include lactose, gliadin from gluten (celiac dis-ease), caffiene and simple carbohydrates (reactive hypoglycemia). Acidic foods can trigger symptoms such as urticaria and redness, particularly if the intestines are hyperpermeable.

The term "food allergy" refers specifically to Immunoglobulin E. These are referred to as "true allergies" although they are not the only kind of allergic reactions in the body. According to Murray and Pizzorno, only 10-15% of allergies are caused directly by IgE, all others are either associated with other delayed immune system agents (IgG, IgM, and T lymphocytes) or do not involve the immune system. Food intolerances for example may be the result of deficiencies in intestinal enzymes or a response to natural or artificial chemical substances.

Reactions to Food and Food Additives
__3 types:__

toxic reactions
Mechanisms: toxic effect:product contaminants, cooking processes Examples: Bacterial contamination. Toxins.

intolerances cause by chemical agents
Mechanisms: -Effect of histamine and other amines present in food. (e.g Fermented foods. sausage, tuna, smoked herring) -Nonimmunologic histamine release from food (e.g. Strawberries, tartazine [additive]) -Enzyme deficiency (e.g Lactose intolerance) -Chemical action (e.g. Caffiene) -Metabolic alterations: prostaglandins, acetylcholine (e.g. Benzoic acid [preservative], monosodium glutamate [flavor enhancer])

Allergic Reactions
-Immediate hypersensitivity reactions involving IgE (e.g. numerous foods + some additives [preservatives, food coloring]) -Other types of hypersensitivities (e.g. Gluten intolerance) -IgG, T lymphocytes, ect.

Common Allergenic Foods and Hypersenitivity Mediators in Western Countries
Milk and milk products from cows, eggs, meat (beef, pork and chicken), fish, crustaceans, yeast, nuts (especially peanuts) and grains (especially wheat), con, mustard, soy, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, cane sugar, chocolate and coffee. The foods most consumed in the culture. In Eastern countries the main foods causing allergic reactions are rice, soy, and fish.

Symptoms and Dis-eases generally linked to food hypersensitivity
Food hypersensitivities involve every part of the body and can cause many types of symptoms. Identifying the problem depends on several factors such as biological, psychological and hereditary weaknesses, the source of immune activation, types of inflammatory mediators involved and tissue sensitivity to specific mediators. The most commonly affected systems are the digestive, lungs, skin and nose.

Autoimmune Dis-eases. ||
 * Gastro-Intestinal || Celiac Dis-ease, Chronic Diarrhea, Duodenal Ulcer, Gastritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Malabsorbtion, Ulcerative Colitis ||
 * Genito-urinary || Enuresis, Chronic Bladder Infections, Nephrosis ||
 * Immune || Chronic Infections: Otitis, Tonsillitis, Common Colds, Flu, Bronchitis
 * Nervous (mental/emotional) || Anxiety, Depression, Hyperactivity, Inability to concentrate, Insomnia, Irritability, Mental Confusion, Personality Changes, Epilepsy ||
 * Musculo-skeletal || Bursitis, Joint Pain, Arthritis, Lumbar Pain ||
 * Respiratory || Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Wheezing ||
 * Cutaneous || Acne, Eczema, Pruritus, Urticaria, Rashes ||
 * Other || Arrythmia, Edema, Loss of Consciousness, Fatigue, Headaches, Migraines, Sinusitis, Hypoglycemia, Itchy Nose and Throat, Runny Nose ||

=Mechanisms of the Immune System= Composed of two categories: Innate (non-specific) immune system Adaptive (specific) immune system

Skin and Hair
First line of defense. Pores of the skin along w/ hairs and cilia prevent pathogens from entering the body. Nose and ear hair prevent foreign particles from entering the cavities and repel them with vibratory motions.

Enzymatic Defense
This complements the mechanical barrier, for example, by killing bacteria through lysozomes and lectins.

Inflammation
Helps the body mobilize it’s immune defenses, some of which are phagocytes, enzyme and free radical release by polynuclear Europhiles, monocytes/macrophages, polynuclear eosinophils, and non-specific lymphocytes or natural killer (NK) cells. The complement system (which engages in a series of enzymatic cascade) and the production of interferon (which inhibits viral growth) also intervene in the non-specific immune response

Properdin System and Magnesium
Can effectively thwart microbial invasion through the use of magnesium cations. When these are missing infectious agents (or even cancer) can more easily invade the body.

The Catalase System
Catalase is an enzyme with a coenzyme that is almost identical to the radical of hemoglobin. Copper is necessary for it’s synthesis and is essentially an iron-containing enzyme that helps protect from ionizing radiation, X-rays, gamma rays, and invading anaerobic cells (cancer) by catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

The Thyroid System
Thyroid gland acts as a chemical filter. One of the hormones it produces, thyroxin, purifies the filtered blood through the iodine it contains. The body’s 5 litres of blood are filtered ~84 time a day (~340cc/minute)

Interferon
Any of several related proteins that are produced by a virally infected cell, which then protects it from other viral invasions. It is host specific, not virus-specific Rapid response, production begins immediately after a viral invasion takes place, reaches it’s maximum effect in 48 hours and then decreases

Urine
Slightly acid (pH = 6.5-5.8) urine facilitates the elimination of pathogenic bacteria and toxic metabolic waste. If the pH falls below 6 however it may result in kidney stones, gout, ect.

To maintain the non-specific immune responses a diet with copper for catalase, magnesium for proprdine, iodine for the thyroid and vitamin C for interferon are necessary.

Specific Immune System
Responds if non-specific immune system doesn’t suffice. It is slower to act but more precise. The invading organism must be identified and it is then phagocytes.

Leukocytes
Mostly Leucocytes (white blood cells) which have 2 categories Mononuclear cells: Monocytes/macrophages phagocytize invaders and present what they can’t destroy to lymphocytes. Lymphocytes: play several roles depending on their category

Polynuclear cells: account for 60-70% of circulating leucocytes. Neutrophils (active phagocytes) are the most abundant, followed by eosinophils and basophils. Basophils participate in type-1 allergenic reactions. Eosinophils protect against parasites and chronic inflammation

=Mast Cells, Basophils and Histamine Relaease= Histamine: One of the mediators involved in localized acute inflammatory response, which affects the skin, lungs, nose, and digestive tract and which provides an optimal defense against foreign microorganisms.

[chart on 74]

=4 Types of Hypersensitivity Reactions=

Type 1: Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions
“True allergies” that involve IgE antibodies. Oiccur immediately and can be detected through conventional allergy tests. Anaphylactic reactions fall into this category.

Type 2:Cytotoxic Hypersensitivity Reactions
IgG or IgM antibodies bind to the antigens on cell membranes. The resulting antigen-antibody complexes destroy eurythrocytes, causing hemolytic. 75% of food allergy reactions destroy eurythrocytes making the individual prone to anemia (immune hemolytic anemia)

Type 3: Immune Complex Hypersensitivity Reaction
Occurs when antigens combine with antibodies. Involves IgG and IgG4. About 80% of food allergies involve IgG and IgG4.. Resulting immune complexes are normally removed from the blod stream, but when they are too numerous or amines allow vascular permeability they may deposit in and damage tissue.. Delayed reaction usually taking 2 hours after allergen exposure. Farmer’s lung and cheese worker’s lung (caused by mold) are examples

Type 4: Cell-Mediated Immune Response
Delayed immune reaction involving T lymphocytes, which cause inflammation through the release of lymphokines. Skin contact with poison metals or poison ivy may cause this response. Not mediated by natibodies and may take from 36-72 hours to following exposure to the allergen.

Other Mechanisms
Inflammatory mediators, such as histamine Prostaglandin 1 Leukotrienes Seritonin Platelet Activating Factor Kinine They can also trigger histamine activators that are present in allergy sufferers.

Foods containing tyramine: processed meats, aged cheese, red wine, chocolate, beer, avocados, beans, ect.

Foods containing histamine: cheese, fermented drinks tuna, sardines, tomatoes, spinach, ect.

Type-3 Delayed Reactions And Autoimmune Dis-eases
When immune complex formations are not removed from the bloodstream, they can accumullate in the local tissues. The body then loses it’s capacity to adapt, resulting in an inflammatory reaction and serious tissue lesions where immune complexes are deposited. This takes place in autoimmune pathologies, where the body’s own cells are seen as antigens. Certain attenuated vaccines are produced in eggs and contain stabilizers and preservatives that can sometimes trigger allergic reactions in certain people.

Cross-reactivity
Cross reactions happen when foods of the same family increase the number of proteins or other similar substances that cause allergic reactions. Most common: Birch-tree pollen/Apple, Artemisia pollen/celery, latex/certain fruits (kiwi, banana, avocado, chestnut, ect.) Other common cross-reactions:wheat/rice, crab/shrimp, apple/pear/peach, and celery/carrot/parsley

The Physiopathology of Food Hypersensitivities
When food particles, specifically proteins and other related molecules cannot be broken down by either hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, or pancreatic enzymes, large molecules of undigested food enter the small intestine and cross the intestinal wall. It is estimated that 80% of patients w/ food allergies have a hypo secretion of hydrochloric acid.

Though the colon generally eliminate large undigested food molecules, a very permeable intestinal wall and an IgA (protects intestinal mucosa and prevent antigen molecules from penetrating it) deficiency may let these molecules pass directly into the bloodstream. These are perceived as antigens and trigger local secretory IgA production and antibody IgG (forms immune complexes with food antigens). This normally facilitates the elimination of food antigens and activates lymphocytes, which promotes \tolerance of food allergens.

In immediate hypersensitivity reactions, histamine response and local inflammation take place. If a delayed hypersensitivity reactions occurs, immune complex-forming IgG is deposited in the blood vessels, the kidneys, the skin and joints - Happens in food allergies but especially in inflammatory bowel diseases and certain autoimmune diseases.

Most important is any change in the functioning of the defense mechanisms, whether enzymatic, chemical, mechanical or immunological, may be the cause of true food allergies.

However reactions to metabolic modifications of food additives or preservatives (e.g. monosodium glutamate), incompatible chemical substances (e.g. coffee), enzyme deficiencies (e.g lactase), and/or allergy meiators (such as histammine, tyramine, calculates and phenylalanine), are considered more as food intolerances.

Self and Non-Self - The HLA System
The HLA (human leukocyte antigen) system or MHC (major histocompatability complex) differentiates self from non-self.

How?

Major role in defining and maintaining individuality. Genes of the HLA system are divided into 3 classes and found on the short arm of chromosome 6 (in human beings) and have many variations from person to person. It is thus a ‘biological marker of self’ T-lymphocyte response is not only antigen-specific but also individual specific Have a capacity for communication and biological recognition. Play a role in both dis-ease predisposition and protection, particularly in autoimmune dis-eases, but also in the reaction to certain antigens, although their function here is not clear.

Injecting a vaccine induces an artificial activation of the immune system, which oversteps the non-specific response mechanisms for this purpose. In some cases individual differences within the same species must be taken into account (e.g transfusions, blood types)

Foreign bodies can also come from within, as in the case of cancer which remains undetectable to the HLA system, requiring the NK lymphocytes, which can recognize the enemy even when the antigens cannot be detected by the HLA system.

Inautoimmune dis-eases moecules that are targeted are not the enemy or foreign

Conclusion: a clear-cut distinction between “self” and “non-self” cannot be made

=Causes=

Heredity
Major role in allergies, when both parents are allergic the offspring has a 67% chance of developing it. 33% chance if one parent is allergic. Stress increases the the frequency of allergic reactions. This is probably due to a decrease in IgA secretion. Normally IgA provides a barrier against invading antigens but when levels decrease there is a sharp increase in allergen and microbial antigen absorption.

Nutrition
In nutritional therapy it is understood that intestinal permeability and an imbalance of intestinal flora (or dysbiosis) are the perfect entryway for large proteins that are perceived as antigens of the body.

Intestinal putrefaction caused by degradation of amino acids - of tyrosine into tyramine or histidine into histamine- is at the root of all allergies and intolerances. The Indican test is used to measure the level of putrefaction.

Putrefaction may also be accompanied by hypochlorhydria and a lack of protein enzymes, which are unable to break down proteins into amino acids.

To prevent the intestinal flora from being compromised, it is important to avoid: Alchohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, corticosteriods, chemotherapy, and radiation to the abdomen.

Psora
In homeopathy this refers to all illnesses originating from the “primary disorder”. Psorinum is produced from a vesicle of scabies. This remedy treats a wide variety of symptoms manifested by an exhausted neuroimmune system and lets the body eliminate toxins it has been eliminating since birth. Symptoms resulting from this elimination include migraines, Eczema, Asthma, Skin Rashes, Prurit, Diarrhea, dischrges as well as psychological symptoms such as depression, sadness, and feelings of loneliness and abandonment.

Wei-Qi Imbalances and the Empty Condition of Metal
Acupuncturist refer to the ‘empty conditions of metal’ to describe certain conditions. Metal is the element associated w/ the lungs and the colon. The empty condition of metal causes the following symptoms: stomach bloating, aczema, chronic rhinitis, loose stool, atonic constipation, thin voice, weight loss, asthenia, intolerance, discouragement, depression, sadness, melancholy, prostration, ect.. All of these can be manifestations of allergies. In TCM a disturbance in the flow of wei-qi is seen as a possible cause of allergy-related conditions. Wei-qi originates in the colon, is dispersed by the lungs and regulates the porosity of the skin and (most likely) the porosity of the intestinal mucosa. The kidneys generate Qi and are therefore the first organs/function to be affected by chronic dis-eases.

Dawn Bramadat explains that a metal imbalance is not only linked to sadness, but also feelings of being abandoned by everyone; it represents the first seperation from mother at birth. Allergies are then a manifestation of the inability to adapt to the outer world and make it one’s own.

Karmic, Mental, and Emotional Dis-eases
In energy medicine an imbalance in the energy field is thought to come from the causal plane (karmic), and the mental plane (erroneous beliefs), or the astral plane (strong emotions) and then go on to affect the etheric plane, which governs the body. While this is a controversial subject, in Tibetan, homeopathic, and Chinese medicine certain pathologies are thought to be inherited from our ancestors on a purely energetic plane.

Emotions and Thoughts
Emotions stemming from the astral plane and thoughts fed by certain beliefs (mental plane) play a fundamental role in heath and dis-ease. Emotions affect the endocrine glands and the central and peripheral nervous system. These have been elucidated by neuro-endocrine-immunology. Stress hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland mobilize immune defense mechanisms against allergy-related immune system dis-eases. The chemical mediators of the brain have a direct effect on the hypothalamus and can control the functions of this immune and neurohormonal axis. Example: a women who is allergic to roses, even if it synthetic.

Mediation, yoga and qi-gong are techniques that yield the best results for stress relief and controlling one’s thoughts.

Dis-eases Arising from Energy Incompatibility
According to Janine Fontaine “Achieving harmony between the vibrations of the body and the vibrations of the food we eat is key to maintaining digestive health. Disharmony between the two leads to food intolerances and allergies” The body must be properly tuned to receive the energy contained within the food. Thus the food we eat should be living and healthy and free of chemicals, radiation, and modified genes.

The Core Issue
The outside world is perceived as an unknown, dangerous entity. Consequently, fear (kidneys), feelings of abandonment, and sadness (lungs) result from the separation that is felt between the self and the non-self or the Other. This leads to an inability to make the outer world one’s own.

=Screening Tests=

Allergy Skin Tests
Excellent means to detecting immediate allergies, especially as regards environmental and food allergies. Drawbacks: cannot be performed if the skin is too damaged; risk of anaphylactic shock if the reaction is very severe; test may yield false negatives (undetected alergens)

Rast Test
Radio-Allergo-Sorbet-Test and similar CAP RAST Carried out in-vitro (in laboratory) so no risk of anaphylactic shock. Should be compared to skin tests Drawbacks: does not test for delayed reactions and often yields false positives (detecting non-existent allergy)

ELISA Test
Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbet Assay Can test between 96 and 235 allergens, either for IgG alone or IgE and IgG

ELISA/ACT (Activated Cell Test), a variant of ELISA, can detect IgG, IgA and IgM along w/ immune complexes and activated cells.

Disadvantages: expensive

Food Chalenge Test
Allergists consider it the most reliable as they are done in vivo. Risk of serious allergic reactions are very high. Provocation-neutralization testing, which is performed through injections or sublingual dilutions are available.

Elimination/Reintroduction Diet
Phase 1: Rid body of all substances causing allergies, if able a 4 day fast is recommended. Even drinking water must be filtered. Diabetics should follow a hypoallergenic diet: rice, apples, carrots, pears, and olive oil. This is also ok for children.

Phase 2: Reintroduce a new food every 4 days starting with foods MOST likely to cause a reaction such as milk, eggs, wheat, corn, peanuts, soy, yeast, chicken, beef, cod, mustard, sugar and coffee.

IMPORTANT: If a food is suspected of causing a serious reaction take skin or RAST test rather than reintroducing

A detailed food diary should be kept listing any/all symptoms.

A variant of this is Dr. Berger’s 21 day program

The Pulse Test
The Coca Test detects any allergenic reactions through the pulse.

Guidelines: Stop smoking for the duration o the test. Pulse should be taken from a sitting position. Normal eating routine is maintained for 3 days

=Energy Medicine=

Kinesiology
3 most common: BioSET: uses samples of common allergens and a desensitization process that uses acupressure points.

Touch for Health: uses muscular testing in accordance with guidelines from TCM and symbolic metaphors. Uses chronobiology (e.g. lungs between 1-3 a.m.) and tests a specific muscle with respect to each organ.

Kinesiology and Reprogramming: yes/no questions are asked to the patient directly or non-locally w/out a direct sample of the allergen.

Auriculomedicine
Combines Chinese medicine applied specifically of the ear, Chinese pulse assessment, electro acupuncture for the ear, and strips of products to be tested.

Allergy Testing Devices
MORA-therapy detects the energy frequencies that are out of balance with the rest of the body and heals this dissonance by emitting a balancing and neutralizing frequency. Merits further study.

Voll devices can detect allergies by placing electrodes on allergy points (according to TCM) and testing one product at a time

Complementary Tests
Intestinal putrefaction tests (Indican), parasitology tests (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis, CDSA), intestinal permeability should be used in conjunction with allergy detection and intolerance tests.

The Indican test detects bacterial proliferation and putrefaction as well as intestinal permeability. The patient must consume chicken or other foods containing tryptophan the day before the test as it is needed to produce indican.

=Solutions=

The Rotation Diet
For multiple un-fixed hypersensitivity reactions (cyclical)

Dietary Recommendations
Eat 2 quail eggs, preferably raw, every morning for 1 months. (They contain a product that allows people adapt to allergens) A balanced diet.

Recommended Minerals
- Potassium

Orthomolecular Treatment
- Arabinogalactan -Active Lb. -Betain HCl -Proteases (Pepsin) -Peptidases -Pancreatic Enzymes

Natural Health Products That Heal The Intestine
N-acetylglucosamine: which stimulates the production of IgA L-glutamine: Major nutrient source for the cells that line the small intestine Butyric Acid: Helps heal the colon

Nutrients.Vitamins and Minerals Needed to Stimulate The Immune System
Avoid: -Simple sugars (feed yeast and reduce neurophil activity. This can result in 50% reduced phagocyte activity 30 minutes after consumption for up to 5 hours)

Include: -Essential Fatty Acids (helps convert linoleic acid into Prostaglandin E, facilitating inflammatory normal response) -Vitamin A (Stimulates immune functions including antitumoral and antiviral leukocyte functions) -Beta-carotene (Daily dose of 180mg increases T4 lymphocyte (auxiliary) activity up to 30%) -Vitamin C (Stimulates production of interferons; may reduce sensitivity to Monosodium glutamate) -Vitamin E (Daily dose of 800UI enhances T-Lymphocyte activity by 65%) -Vitamin B6 (Increase activity of antibodies and immune mediators:interleukines, lymphokines, cytokines, ect.) -Magnesium (essential for properdin system and other immune functions) -Zinc ( Increases T lymphocyte and cellular mediator activity) -Iron (prevents thymus gland and lymphatic tissues from atrophying. -Selenium (Facilitates leukocyte activity and thymus function) -Quercetin (natural anti-histamine)

Oligotherapy According to Menetrier
Use o manganese-copper and sulfur is recommended

Medicinal Plants
-Astragalus (Huang Qi), for enhancing Wei Qi, increases leukocyte production and reinforces immune response. Contraindicated for people w/ Yin deficiency with heat signs. -Echinacea, stimulate T lymphocytes and interferon activity.

In acupuncture points corresponding to the empty condition of the lung and full condition of the liver are used. Also considered is the empty condition of the kidneys as it is the origin of Wei-Qi (skin permeability)

In Homeopathy it is individualized according to symptoms manifested by psora. Remedies such as Apis, Lung histaminum and Histaminum are often prescribed.

In auriculomedicine a combination of ear acupuncture and product compatibility tests are used.

Desensitization
Standard injections are not effective in food allergies. 2 types are used:

Provocation-Neutralization: A small amount of a dilute extract of the food to be tested is injected into the patients arm or under the tongue. Smaller and larger doses are then given and when no reaction is found this is the “neutralizing dose”. This test is 80% accurate and better with immediate food reactions.

Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization (EPD): Stimulate production of T-suppressor lymphocytes (T8) specific for allergen suppression. Injections combine low doses of the allergens with the enzyme beta-glucurodinase, which stimulates the body to produce T-suppressor lymphocytes. Shots are received every 2 months at first and then progressively longer intervals

=Prevention= Risk of developing allergies is inherited mostly from the mother. She should stop smoking and stop consuming highly allergenic foods such as cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and soy milk. During breastfeeding she should be very careful not to consume highly allergenic foods such as dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, cane sugar, eggs, peanuts and mustard.

It is important infants not be given cow’s milk or solid foods during the first 6 months as their intestinal flora is not fully developed and thus more permeable. Foods should be introduced one at a time starting with vegetables, moving to meats and finally grains. When babies develop an infection it is important to keep antibiotics to a minimum so as not to disrupt the flora. For inflammation/pain avoid giving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (aspirin/Tylenol) or steroids (cortisone) as they can increase permeability.