Nutritional counselling investigates food intolerance through IgG antibodies in women with endometriosis.
Author: D. Shepperson Mills. Cert Ed. BA. Dip ION. MA.
The Endometriosis and Fertility Clinic, London, United Kingdom.
Introduction:
Enzyme Linked Immunoassay or ELISA method for IgG antibody detection has revolutionised the field of food intolerance treatment. Food intolerance is widespread in Western culture. Recent estimates in the UK suggest that 18 million people now have allergies and intolerances (1). One hundred women with endometriosis, diagnosed surgically, took part in the trial to look for commonalities in food intolerance. The women reported a variety of symptoms associated with their endometriosis, including pain, fatigue and sub-fertility. Research shows consumption of certain "reactive" foods can have profound effects on physical health. Women with endometriosis appear to have higher rates of autoimmune and endocrine disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and atopic disease. (2)
Materials and methods
Cambridge Nutritional Sciences produces high quality diagnostic ELISA immunoassay finger prick blood test for food intolerance testing. The reduction or elimination of certain foods from the diet over 2-6 weeks is undertaken. A 59-microtitre plate is coated with extracts of 59 common foods wells and two for calibration standards and a positive control sample.
Results
The majority (more than 75 per cent) of patients who altered their diet based on the ELISA results of the 59 Food IgG test, found significant improvement in their condition. On their MYMOP forms (measure yourself medical outcome profile - Medical Research Council) 85 per cent showed a drop in pain levels, reporting digestive improvements. Several fell pregnant. Patients conforming to their diet reported the greatest improvement.
Conclusion
Multiple food intolerances were revealed. The most common were wheat, gluten and cow's dairy. Women with endometriosis commonly report autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory markers for CRP (C reactive protein) show an increase after the foods were reintroduced. Drug treatments for endometriosis may damage gut flora and mucus membranes, compromising nutrient absorption, leading to food intolerances. This affects pain pathways and reproductive response. Healthy gut flora produces 80 per cent of the immuno-globulins in the body, when compromised poor immune response becomes the norm (3).
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