Food allergies, Testing, & Applied Kinesiology – everything you need to know!

Related to my previous blog post on different diets (if you haven’t read it yet click here) this article is the next best one you will want to read to learn how to create a diet specifically tailored to you, But, before I continue let my give a quick overview on the immune system - bare with me as it is complicated and still being understood. 
So the immune system is set up to protect us and when something reaches the blood stream that shouldn’t be there – a toxin, a microbe, a virus, a piece of food that leaked through the gut – the immune system reacts by sending out an antibody or Tcell which then acts to destroy it.  This is a great system to have; however, it sometimes overreacts or cross reacts to something similar in the body and this is where we see food allergies, skin reactions, and autoimmune conditions. 

​Typically, the body reacts in four ways called hypersensitivity reactions.  

An example of a Type I is when one gets stung by a bee and goes into anaphylaxis; however, it can also be an allergy appearing as hives or eczema.  It involves an IgE antibody binding to a mast or basophil cell and causing it to release large amounts of histamine.  IgE can be found in the blood for up to 3 days after exposure, which  limits the testing window, which is why when you go to your Dr for a skin scratch test many allergies do not show up.   

Type II reactions occur when IgG antibodies bind to a cell and cause its destruction (this is seen in graves or rheumatoid arthritis).  It can also also result in IgM and IgA antibodies being produced as well.    These are found in the blood up to 21 days after exposure to an antigen causing delayed reactions making it difficult to determine any food sensitivities causing their release.  These antibodies can also form complexes, which then leads into Type III reactions.

Type III occurs when antibodies bind to each other forming complexes, which get stuck in places where they shouldn’t be causing inflammation and numerous and variable symptoms seen in conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid and reactive arthritis, lung conditions and some kidney diseases. 

Type IV doesn’t involve an antibody, but a cell called a TH cell. TH cells have a bit more attacking ammunition.  often they start with some trigger a toxin, microbe, or protein that leaked into the blood stream (often gluten).  As the TH cell attacks it also ends up taking the body as the atigen is similar in structure to the tissue cells in our body. This is seen in MS, Hashimotos, Celiac, and contact dermatitis.

​Other than the hypersensitivity reactions there are also inflammatory reactions and intolerances.  Inflammatory reactions are the result of a biochemical cascade stimulated by with the immune system to help heal and repair the area.  It is often seen as pain, swelling, heat, and redness and like the immune system sometimes reacts to allergens that it shouldn't - it is hyper-reactive. Acute inflammation is good, but chronic inflammation is bad. 

Lastly, an intolerance is an inability to digest a food and it does not create a reaction; for example, milk and lactose intolerance resulting from lack of the lactase enzyme. 

​Here is a great flow chart showing some of the differences - it is just missing inflammatory reactions; however, they occur after any of the immune-mediated reactions.

How do I know if I am having a reaction to the foods I am eating? 

~20-30% of the population have a food allergy / sensitivity!

TESTING:

To screen for food allergies, sensitivities, inflammation, and intolerances there are a few options.  One is to do a skin scratch test to looking for a type I reactions (if exposed to the allergen within the 3 days previous), an IgG food allergy test (if exposed to the antigen within the past 21 days),  a blood test called ANA to screen for an autoimmune condition (T cell reaction).  And probably my favorite is a new test called the Mediated Release Test (MRT) which screens for an inflammatory reaction to each food / chemical (this will include a screening to all the hypersenstivity reactions).  Lastly, to identify an intolerance one can do a breath test or an intolerance test.   

An additional way to determine food allergies is via applied kinesiology! 

I came across a scientific journal where the researchers used applied kinesiology to screen for food allergies and were incredibly accurate.  They screened 17 individuals ranging in age from 16-74 with numerous health complaints for 21 different allergenic foods.  They cross referenced the Applied Kinesiology screening with food allergy testing and got 19/21 correct (90.5%).  This is great news as applied kinesiology is much more cost effective compared to private testing.  However, one must also be skilled in applied kinesiology; if not, it may be a good idea to consider MRT testing.  Check out the scientific journal here: Correlation of Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing Findings with Serum Immunoglobulin levels for Food Allergies by Walter H. Schmitt and Gerry Leisman. 

How does applied kinesiology work?

It was difficult for me to get my head around applied kinesiology until the authors of the paper talked about chemical signals sent to the brain via the saliva.  For example, if you were to hold a solution of Ipecac in your mouth a signal is sent to the motor muscles triggering you to vomit; similarly, if you eat a food your body does not agree with a signal is sent to the muscles making them weaker.  In the experiment discussed above by Schmitt and Leisman (1994) they asked the patients to put each food into their mouth allowing the saliva to start to digest it and then ran a blood test after as well as the applied kinesiology testing and got accurate results. 

Conversely, if someone tastes something that is beneficial the muscles may feel stronger. 

How is it done?

According to Walther it is a matter of being consistent, getting a good sense of a relaxed muscle and strong muscle while using the same force and speed.  This in itself can be extremely difficult, but also incredibly useful once mastered.  So, get practicing or see a practitioner with experience in it!  And of course, if you can afford it combine it with MRT testing (done through your local naturopathic doctor) and daily tracking to confirm. 

If you have any questions let me know...or better yet book in online!
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Thanks for reading :)