How do I know if I am suffering from food/environmental sensitivity/intolerance?

A food/environmental sensitivity/ intolerance can lead to symptoms such as:

• Constant tiredness
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Skin conditions
• Joint pain
• Migraines
• IBS, colitis, Crohn’s Disease
• Bloating
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Running eyes and nose
• Cramps
• Haemorrhoids
• Inflammation
• Hyperactivity
• Depression

How do you test for the sensitivity/intolerance/allergy?

I use a bioresonance EAV (Electro-Acupuncture according to Voll) machine to test the body’s reactivity to various foods, additives, chemicals, etc. A probe is placed on the acupoints of the fingers and toes and readings taken to test the organs of the body. One or two of these acupoints are then used to test sensitivities to various foods, chemicals, additives and vitamins. The test is totally pain free and does not involve the use of needles, blood or scratching the skin.

How long does the test take?

A full test of 217 different items takes approximately one and a half hours.

You can opt for a limited number of foods and this will take 45 minutes.

What do I get at the end of the session?

You will receive a full report showing your sensitivity to the 217 foods, additives, metals, vitamins, etc. You will also be given advice on changes to diet, excluding the culprit foods and how to re-introduce them back into your diet.

How do I decrease my sensitivity to the items indicated in the test?

You will be advised on eliminating the food items from your diet and about their gradual re-introduction. I also help in de-sensitising your body through the use of homoeopathy or acupoint tapping.

Can you test for various pollens?

Yes, I can test for various pollens if you are suffering from hay fever.

Can you treat hay fever?

Yes. This again involves de-sensitising the body through homoeopathy or acupoint tapping.

What is the difference between an allergy and sensitivity?

In an allergy the body recognises the allergen as a threat and the immune system kicks in, stimulating the release of IgE and IgG antibodies. When these antibodies react with the allergen, antihistamine and other chemical mediators are released.

Type 1 reactions

This type of IgE allergic reaction occurs very quickly, resulting in swelling, itching, breathing difficulties and hives. Very bad reactions can cause anaphylactic shock.

Type 2 reactions

The majority of food allergies fall into this category and involve IgG antibodies. The reaction to the food is fairly slow, taking anywhere between 24 to 72 hours after eating. They are also extremely difficult to test for without sophisticated equipment. Surprisingly, a large percentage of the population have this type of reaction to everyday foods.

Food Hypersensitivity/ Intolerance

This type of reaction does not involve an immune mediated response. It can be caused by having a certain food too frequently, lacking the appropriate enzymes that break down the food or being sensitive to modern preservatives, additives, colours or microbes in the food.

What other tests are used for identifying allergies?

Skin tests. These will identify IgE type 1 allergies but are no good for IgG type 2.

Elimination/Reintroduction. This is quite a common method, but you will need to know which foods need testing.

Scratch test. Not very good for foods. Quite painful

Kinesiolgy. Muscle testing. Can be accurate as an alternative to EAV

Sublingual tests. Gives inconsistent results

Neutralization Therapy. Different concentrations of each allergen are injected under the skin to produce an allergic reaction (a wheal). Gives quite good results but is painful.

ELISA/ACT. Involves removing a blood sample. Seems to be accurate, but is expensive

Blood Group diet. This has shown certain blood groups should eat or avoid particular foods. This has not been verified in my individual testing.

EAV. This is the most sensitive and non-intrusive tests. It is also very reproducible and relatively inexpensive.