3/21/14 3/21/14

Allergy symptoms made worse by altered neuromodulation

"Among the constellation of symptoms that characterize the allergic reaction, many, if not most, are secondary to changes in the nervous system..In this sense allergy is an immune-neuronal disorder...therapeutic strategies should target the nervous system and work synergistically with anti-inflammatory strategies."

10/5/13 10/5/13

Histamine intolerance

Histamine intolerance is a widespread phenomenon that can mimic allergy. It plays a role in many diverse conditions including IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases, asthma, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), complications of pregnancy, drug hypersensitivity, and intestinal permeability (by means of which it contributes to autoimmunity). It can be objectively evaluated with serum DAO activity. HI can be ameliorated by supplementation with DAO. Practitioners need to be astute in its diagnosis and management.

10/1/13 10/1/13

Food allergy testing with IgG4 is not recommended

"...food-specific IgG4 does not indicate (imminent) food allergy or intolerance, but rather a physiological response of the immune system after exposition to food components. Therefore, testing of IgG4 to foods is considered as irrelevant for the laboratory work-up of food allergy or intolerance and should not be performed in case of food-related complaints."