Comments, Q&A

"Fantastic website. Extremely valuable information. Unbelievable amount of research and guidelines. One would have to buy several medical books of great expense to track down this info. I have been researching celiac disease and food allergies for years along with reading about how diabetics have had exposure to gluten, dairy, soy which may contributed to diabetes. I will be putting my son on the formula, and I am hoping to improve my health as well. Your program sounds like it is healthy and effective. I know about amino acids because my son has had many amino acid urine and blood tests with many serious problems. Thanks for sharing your research. It is a real service to your readers, both professional and lay. Marilyn B."

I stumbled across your web page and am absolutely amazed by it.

Q: Is there more description on the manuals?  I have been trying to resolve my food allergy issues for 2 years and this is the most comprehensive information I’ve seen yet.

A: Thanks for your positive feedback. We did receive your order for Alpha Nutrition Program manual; this is a good place to start since it provides an overview. We think that Alpha ENF is the best formula available. Alpha ENF follows the scientific tradition of elemental nutrient formulas and is easy to use. Other books in our health education series will help you to advance your knowledge so that you feel confident about self-management.

--------------------------------------
"My wife and I enjoy your ENF product. It has been the catalyst for improved health in both of us over the past 5 months. I was a chronic migraine sufferer (1 to 2 per week), but stopped having them when I tried ENF about 5 months ago. I have only had a single migraine in the past 5 months, and I contribute this miracle to your educational books and ENF product. My wife started using the product in order to support me, and has seen a dramatic increase in her overall health and wellbeing. We are much more aware of what we are putting in our bodies, and have a solid set of "core" food that we eat daily. ENF and your approach to health has made a dramatic improvement in our lives. Thank you! "

------------------------------------------------

I just wanted to thank the Doc for continuing to pursue his Environmed research and marketing.  He saved my life back in 1990 by taking me on as a patient and introducing me to his then, Enfood.  I moved around for years and wasn't able to get the nutrition drink for some time, but came back to BC almost 4 years ago and restarted the program and also do not eat any wheat, dairy, raw fruits and vegs (select ones) red meat and stick pretty close to what he advised way back then.  Not only have I finally lost all the weight that accumulated from eating food that was killing me and swallowing benedryl to compensate, but I am healthier in so many ways.  Restricted diet severely...but feel so much better.  I am a senior and find it difficult to keep up the supply as I really should...but it still provides my main nutrional requirements and again...thank you for saving my life.  I owe so much to you.  Please keep up the good work...on the planet and in the music studio!!! Rev Barbara M.

________

I just have to tell you that I loved reading the article on the food allergies/ADHD. I have on my own determined that food allergy was the cause of ADHD  in my 4 year old son. I started searching for explanations why his behavior was so off the wall. A doctor told me he could have autism. I took him to a psychologist. Found out he didn’t, thank goodness, but also had him allergy tested and found out he is allergic to wheat gluten, eggs, and milk. We stopped all 3 for 90 days, w/ in one month the teachers at preschool said they saw a total change in him. He was calmer, not aggressive, loving, kind, took naps, sat still during circle time, etc. At home he was calmer, listened well. Behaved, etc. We then put him back on the foods. I didn’t tell the teachers. By the end of the week, they wrote a note asking if we had changed his diet. I told them yes, that we were experimenting. Every day that week we had a bad note from the teacher about how bad he was being. Hyper, aggressive, not listening. It was and is truly amazing!

Thank You Alpha, ENV Research!  Your products are wonderful! When I started taking the OMX formula, I was  amazed at how quickly my body reacted. The electric energy came back, and all of the sudden I felt younger. I was already taking Coral calcium, but  the difference is between night and day. The coral calcium with magesium. relaxed me, but your product gives me a boost. Thank you very much!
------------------------------------------------------

I have found the information I was looking for. I want you to know that I am absolutely AMAZED at the thoroughness of this site and the forward thinking of your physician. As an RD who has dealt with both clinical nutrition support and health care management for a good portion of my career, I am just sputtering with (good) shock at finding a doctor who 'gets it' all the way around. You guys are brilliant. Your approach is so complete. I'm going to go back to reading now.  LR

---------------------------------------------------

"I have very much enjoyed your great Web pages!! I'm passing some of the information on to other families with gluten intolerance problems, and am sure their understanding will benefit as much as ours has from your excellent writings."

"First let me compliment you on your outstanding web page. I spend much time doing research via internet and the nutramed site ranks among the top."

"Thanks for your allergy pages. I have had symptoms that your pages explain very clearly. Thank you!"

I decided to try your product and methods for help with constant headaches. I started with Alpha ENF along with phase 1 foods and went for 10 days before starting to add in phase 2 foods. By the tenth day I went from an average daily pain level of 4 out of 10 down to a 1 or 2. I was taking pain meds almost everyday. Now, I've only taken pain meds once in the last 18 days. What a difference it is making for me in everything I do! Thanks for your research and great products!
 

"Four years ago I purchased of Dr. Gislason's now-out-of-print Nutritional Therapy, volume 2.  Since then I've used  Nutritional Therapy and Alpha Nutrition Program with great success and excellent results. So, I'm excited to learn that the Program is on the internet.  And I'm interested in how to obtain the course Add-on for Arthritis.  One of my food allergy symptoms presents itself as RA, and there are many people with whom I have contact who have asked for information on the subject. Thanks for your help.  And for this wonderful work, helping people heal and saving our lives".

" Love your site.  You have really done a public service of enormous magnitude.  It a good site technically, too.  Your articles are intelligent, readable, and helpful."

Thank you for all the excellent material that you have written and made available on the Web. The subject of food allergies has interested me for a long time, and I have read a number of scientific publications in the field. Your program of Nutritional Therapy seems to be one of the best that I have come across. I am interested in doing research into the prevention and treatment of diseases (particularly allergies) using natural methods (such as diet, herbs, vitamin and mineral supplements, etc.). My qualifications include a Doctor of Medical Science degree in medical and physiological chemistry."

"In November I gained access to your excellent overview of hypersensitivity reaction to foods. I was in the middle of preparing a presentation on the causes of tongue thrust and myofunctional disorders and your paper fit the need perfectly."

"Thank you for your very fine overview. It provided me with an excellent foundation for understanding allergies and supported my belief that infants so called "foods" including milk can create much grief for the child and for his life. "

"I think your website is a wonderful world of information, easy to understand etc. Having spent two years listening to doctors jargon it made a really pleasant change to find a website that actually made sense. I only have one question I live in the U.K. and have a daughter with special needs, from reading your website about food allergies it looks like she is allergic to cows milk, although we have tried soy milk with same results as cows milk. I was wondering if it was at all possible for you to e-mail me with any suggestions as the hospitals/doctors here in U.K. have been no help. Many thanks. Once again my I say what a truly wonderful website."

"Thanks so much for your invaluable web pages. As a long-time vegan, I felt indestructible until a horrible appendix rupture, peritonitis and partial colon and ileum removal five years ago, followed a year and a half later by the removal of a subsequent adhesion that had slowly strangulated my small intestine. I now feel I can consult the medical profession without being labeled a hypochondriac because of all the chronic problems that have surfaced in these five years."

"First, may I say that this is one of the finest, best-written articles (Perspectives) I've ever had the great pleasure of reading. Perhaps sometime during this next century, we'll begin moving in the direction of Dr. Gislason's urgings. At least, it's devoutly to be wished."

"Hello! I love your website!"

"I really enjoyed your page on food allergies. I am going to link it and your well-written "An Introduction to Immunology and the Mechanisms of Food Allergy" to my page, The Antibody Resource Page (http://www.chem.ucsd.edu/Faculty/goodman/antibody.html/abpage.html) "

"I am dumbfounded at the intelligence of your website dedicated to food allergies. Bravo. "

"Thank you, Thank you - for the information your site provides. My mother who has had digestive problems ALL her life has been informed she has acute and chronic colitis. The information I have found here and shared with mother has given her the support she needed. (You do not know how many doctors have told my mother 1. There's nothing wrong - it's all in your head: 2. It's just stress - tension: 3. Ignored her because helping was too much trouble…"

"Hello, I am currently double majoring on psychology and nutrition . I am currently doing some research for a research project and wanted to use some of the information on depression from your web site and was wondering if you could let me know the author's of the depression section so i can give them proper credit."

"I am a physiology student at Santa Monica City College, CA. I would like a copy, and your permission to use information from your Web Site in my research project. I am studying immunology and hope to be an allergist one-day. Thanks for the great info! "

"Alpha Nutrition Program looks very interesting. I have never seen such a well documented, detailed amount of information as you have available on the net - good work!"

"wow...this has been a most informative reading session for me....can't believe that i was right about what my problems have been...told doctor about 2 years ago i thought i was developing food allergies...Dr. pooh-poohed my theory because of my medical history (fibromyalgia..for over 20 years...had since a teenager as it turns out). I have often been thought of as a bit of a hypochondriac...your article truly describes the symptoms I am having right now...I cannot believe how closely..have lost 15 pounds...(weigh about 93) in last two months with no apparent medical reason. Allergies showed at high levels in my blood work...the one part that really got me was the circular argument...that is how my doctor views me.....anyway, just wanted to say that you are providing a very important and informative service on your website..and I am now confident that armed with your information I can get doctor to take me seriously..."

"The Alpha Nutrition Program looks very interesting, I have never seen such a well documented, detailed amount of information as you have available on the net - good work!"

"Hi. I thoroughly enjoyed the web page discussing immune system responses and saw your email below. Perhaps you can help me with a question…"

"My wife and I couldn't agree more with your comments and advice on diet revision. I think you will find our web site both helpful and informative to your readers. [Visit us at ache-no-more.com]"

Your site is excellent!! I have just two questions, though (or maybe I just missed the information on the site?): Is the Alpha Nutrition Program safe to take if one is breast-feeding, and is it safe and nutritious enough for one's baby? (YES) I have gone wheat/gluten free for about a week and a half, now, which is fine, but after having come across your site I was rather excited about the Alpha Nutrition Program  but assume I'll have to wait until I've finished  breast-feeding our baby to try it out? ( NO) Thanks very much for such a fantastic site!"

"Thank you for such a wonderful web site. I'm so excited to read the various sections I downloaded. I've been searching for information that links diet with behavior. I'm researching areas of study for graduate school, and am interested in the subjects discussed at your site. I understand you offer courses, but I would like to know WHAT exactly Dr. S. J. Gislason studied, and WHERE he or she studied. I'm still in the early phase of my research for grad school, but haven't found a lot of information in this area. Topics I've been reading on are: neuropsychology, educational psychology, and briefly psychoneuroimmunology. "

" I was completely fascinated by your web site. You were describing the story of my life ! Since I live in Israel - is there any allergy specialist/clinic in Israel you would recommend ?"

"Thank you so very much. I have a 3 year old that is allergic to milk and every time he gets it he gets very ill and runs a fever. His doctors kept telling me that the fever wasn't from the allergy, but I knew it was."

"Thanks for your allergy pages. I have had symptoms that your pages explain very clearly. Thank you! I have developed a software system to help people with airborne allergies..."

"I am a research student at the University of Sunderland, looking at the effects of a gluten-free diet on children with autism, in conjunction with the Autism Research Unit. The research at the moment is a pilot study, monitoring children with autism whose parents have decided to adopt a gluten-free diet, in an attempt to reduce some of the behaviors commonly associated with autism I read through your web site with interest, especially the pieces dedicated to looking at the physiological effects of foods, such as migraines, eczema (very commonly associated with families who have children who have autism), asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome."

Questions and Answers

Q: Can a knowledgeable scientist (myself) prepare a workable self-management program using just the Book and about 3 kg of Alpha ENF?

A: Yes, we hope so. The program is home science and requires an intelligent approach to self-monitoring and problem solving. We have laid out the essential knowledge in the manual. The instructor makes sure you understand the basic concepts. If you choose to use Alpha ENF for a food holiday, 3 kg will get you through 7 to 10 days and that is usually long enough to feel better. if things go well, you may want to use Alpha ENF longer as a maintenance tool.

-----------------------

 Q: We just received our first batch of Alpha ENF and have started reading our Alpha Nutrition  Program Manual. How do we get a consultant to help us through the program if we think that is necessary?

A: We would prefer that people sign on for email support. Remember that this is an educational process and we do not provide diagnostic and treatment services - you must go to your physician for medical help.

--------------------------

Q: I have Crohn’s disease and have discovered that some foods react some times, but not others. We have worked out that I react to potato, soy, milk, wheat and eggs. I presume the Alpha ENF would be OK according to the information on the net?

A: Yes - Alpha ENF is designed for your needs.

--------------------------

Is Alpha ENF like Jeffrey Bland's Ultra Clear?

Alpha ENF came first. Environmed Research pioneered the broad range of applications of elemental nutrient formulas. UltraClear is a semi-elemental formula that is marketed to do some of the things that Alpha ENF does so well. Our term, "clearing" shows up in Bland's UltraClear, but the formula deviates in important and not advantageous ways from the scientific tradition of elemental formulas. We will claim, naturally, that Alpha ENF is better.

----------------------------

Q: Why does the sugar content not stimulate yeast? I have a yeast/sugar problem.

A: The most important reason is that yeast live in the colon and free sugars like glucose and fructose taken orally are absorbed high up in the GIT and do not reach the yeast. If Alpha ENF replaces food, the yeast starve.

---------------------------

Q: How could nature go so awry? You don't explain why there would be such profound immune disregulation around food allergy.

A: Nature is the great experiment - the idea is that not all creatures are perfect and natural systems only run well for short periods of time. Food allergy is actually an obvious consequence of common, if not inevitable mistakes processing food in the digestive tract. There are basically two kinds of food allergy: The type 1 allergy  is abnormal sensitivity - often with a genetic basis. We could do without this one. Type 2-4 hypersensitivity responses are more or less obligatory in all people if antigen gets through the gut boundary - once the antigen is inside, your immune system has to respond to deal with it. The first consideration is the function of boundaries such as the gut mucosa. The epithelial boundary is also an immune boundary - a primitive system of gate keeping. Mistakes are probable routine at this level. When you consider what people eat these days, its not surprising that the gut mucosa has a hard time selecting the good stuff and rejecting the bad stuff.

--------------------------------

Q: How do you think mothers can transfer food allergy to their children?

A: There are several processes in utero - transfer of antigen, antibody and immune cells both ways through the placenta. Mother's immune responses are given to the infant in part and some babies show reactivity to cows milk with their first feeding. A transfer of antigen and antibody continues in the breast milk.

-------------------------------

Q: Do you think its possible that infectious processes disregulate the immune system and then we have food allergy as a kind of side effect?

A: Yes, this is the beginning of a useful hypothesis. I have collected many histories that suggest a GIT infection induces lasting food hypersensitivity. It is not necessary for the infecting organisms to stay around. Viruses are probably the most potent because they can alter the genome of epithelial cells permanently. Also, antibodies to viral antigens can cross-react with normal cell antigens, leading to an autoimmune process. This is something like rheumatic fever - you get a strep throat and recover in a week, but four weeks later you develop rheumatic fever - a delayed hypersensitivity to streptococcal antigens with antibodies and lymphocytes that attack heart and joint tissues.

--------------------------

Q: Perhaps a rotating elimination diet is a low-tech way of letting the immune system rest so it can take care of underlying infections?

A: We don't connect these two ideas. First off, we are  fans of rotation diets - what they do is reduce the antigen load over time which is a kind of rest, but the intermittent ingestion of potential antigens does cause symptoms and sustains hypersensitivity diseases.

--------------------------------------

Q: I'm wondering if food allergy is a secondary not primary cause of the symptoms but becomes a profound secondary cause and when eliminated allow the system to re balance itself?

A: Yes, it may be something like that but the law of parsimony prevails - if one explanation will do, don't invent two. Immune responses to food antigens are natural phenomena - they don't need another cause. Disease produced by this natural occurrence tends to stable over many years, although it may end up as a disabling illness. The food supply determines how frequent the problem will be and how bad it will get. When you change a bad diet to a good diet, you tend to minimize the problem, but not eliminate it. Although tolerance to more foods shows up eventually on a good diet, its doesn't mean you can return to a bad diet and stay healthy. You can make a good case, for example, that if the food supply always has cows' milk proteins in it, then the frequency and severity of hypersensitivity illnesses in the milk-eating population will tend to be high. If you eliminate milk proteins, hypersensitivity illness will decrease as long as dairy products are not eaten.

Questions about an Infant with Eczema

Q .Regarding your answer to my question, you said that "an infant with eczema will tend to develop other food allergy problems so it is prudent to stay with the best pick of foods on the phase 1 and 2 lists of Alpha Nutrition Program". If they tend to develop other food allergy problems, would she develop food allergy to the phase 1 & 2 foods if I feed them to her exclusively all the time?

A .No. tolerance tends to develop.

Q I’m very motivated to keep trying to help her if it’s possible or if I could ever find out exactly what things make the rash worse, but if it’s going to constantly keep changing, it sounds almost like it’s not worth it.

A Your decision - how much effort is "worth it".

Q I also have Alpha Nutrition Program book, but have lots of questions. 

A. Yes, of course. We think our program book is very helpful, but your really have to study it; pay attention to details; and make good decisions on your own. You may be more comfortable with professional guidance close to home- so you should give some priority to finding an MD or dietitian who can help.

Q. Request Medical consultation with Dr. Gislason by Phone

A. Sorry, we cannot provide you with medical diagnostic and treatment advice over the phone nor by e-mail. We have removed our case management offer for legal reasons but still provide scholarly research and expert opinion. As a company, Environmed Research Inc. has gone to great lengths to make good information available and to provide instruction on self-help. Our books are designed for self-management and  require you to be self-reliant. The bottom line is that you are responsible for deciding what you are going to do and if you have any doubts to follow the advice of your own physician.

Digestive problems.

Q I’ve read with great interest your thoughts on the internet regarding digestion, candida, irritable bowel syndrome and other problems associated with the GIT. In 1988, I came down with a horrible virus that greatly affected my digestive system--night sweats, rash, fatigue, sore muscles, etc. Since then, I’ve never fully recovered. I have been lumped into the chronic fatigue group. I don’t believe I belong there. I’m about 95 percent from how I was before I got sick--I run five days a week, 3-4 miles a day, and I have a job that keeps me active and on the go. The problems I am left with are a irritable GIT. I have horrible bloating, gas, undigested food in stools, sore neck muscles, sleep interruptions, etc.  I go to all kinds of physicians all the time seeking an answer to my problems. They say they can’t help. "You have chronic fatigue and there’s no cure." I recently saw a gastroenterologist about Celiac disease. He gave me a blood test, which was negative. He said I look too healthy to have Celiac (although my grandparents came from Ireland). Besides, he said, you don’t have diarrhea (actually I have chronic constipation). I can’t get over the hump here. Can you please give me some advice? Should I start a gluten free diet? I am at my wits end. Thanks.

A: You might surprised to know how often we hear versions of your story - many times a day. Your illness does challenge the medical model since diagnostic categories are too rigid and complex disease causing process are often not considered. You fit the type 3 food allergy pattern; the basic theory is outlined at our web site. The GI tract becomes reactive and permeable; food antigens enter your bloodstream and trigger flu-like episodes with a high risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases…This is always the predicament that Celiacs are in if they eat gluten but gluten is only one trigger among thousands of  possible food antigens. The solution is complete diet revision using Alpha Nutrition Program. This is a major intervention, not to be undertaken lightly. It sounds like you are well motivated. The basic idea is that you have changed and you have to stop what you are doing and redesign your food supply from scratch. Alpha Nutrition Program is a diet-design algorithm which works surprisingly well. You have to assume that your diet modifications are long-term if not permanent. Gluten intolerance is assumed in the Alpha Nutrition Program.

Food Intolerances

Q I recently developed severe food allergies and intolerances. Not sure of cause but my doctor thinks this was result of a viral infection/sensitivity to NSAIDS. Right now I can only eat about a dozen foods without getting diarrhea, churning sick stomach and gas. These are chicken and turkey, fish, potatoes, yams and squashes, corn spaghetti, can have tomato sauce, peas ok, canned peaches, pears and bananas. Have tried other foods but these seem to be a problem, e.g. rice, broccoli, etc. It took two months of GI tests to find out that the symptoms I have were probably food related. Once I dropped many foods, I got better, especially wheat, but I do not have celiac disease. I am 58 years old and never was allergic to anything except sesame oil. Can your program help me?

A: Yes. You have found you way to many of the phase 1 foods on Alpha Nutrition Program These are the best tolerated foods universally. The program sets out a path of food reintroduction that should allow you to expand your diet. The program teaches you all the things you got to know to manage your illness long-term.

Q: Do you know if food allergies are permanent? 

A. Long lasting but not necessarily permanent. You have to accept that you can never go back to where you started. Tolerance sometimes returns partially in several months to a few years - this is a slow process. We think of immune activity as weather like -- everything is changing and long term forecasts are notoriously unreliable,

Q: Do you know of cases similar to mine, i.e., some one becoming allergic or intolerant of a whole lot of foods at once?  A: Yes, this is a common description in our incoming email.