Att olika immunologiska reaktioner kan ligga bakom många symtom som vi lider av idag är väl ingen nyhet direkt. Att man kan koppla intag av vissa livsmedel till olika sjukdomstillstånd/symtom är inte heller något nytt.. men att få detta accepterat inom modern läkarvetenskap - det är en helt annan sak. Fick ett intressant mail idag från ImuPro, visserligen är detta ett dokument som syftar till att bevisa effektiviteten av just det här testet, men informationen var ändå intressant. Källan kommer från Alchemy Medical.
IgG food intolerance: A controversial discussion
by Dr. Camille Lieners
*
Introduction
Undoubtedly food plays a major role in health and disease development in humans. On one side it is essential for a normal
development of the organism, on the other side it can alter normal functions, cause chronic diseases (best known is celiac
disease) and even lead to anaphylactic shock. This is an abnormal reaction of the immune system against a harmless protein.
Generally this type of acute allergy is believed to be caused by IgE reactions. But little is known about the chronic inflammation
induced by food. Determination of specific IgG to food seems to be the best marker to identify concerned food causing low
grade chronic inflammation. Elimination diets based on IgG guided findings ameliorate significantly a range of chronic illnesses.
New evidence for the role of IgG mediated immune response
A new scientific publication Jönnson et al. (1) showed and reproduced previous scientific findings (2, 3, 4, 5) that IgG can also be
implicated in anaphylaxis. However, it appears that larger amounts of antigens and antibodies are required than in case of IgE.
The assumption cited in all the past literature, which also is the basis of the arguments from allergologists, that IgG represents
a “normal” reaction with no clinical impact must be rejected, even in type 1 allergy. Calderon et al (6) showed that IgG and IgA
isotypes were significantly detected, even in the absence of IgE, in the three allergic conditions. All allergic patients, including
those showing only IgG and IgA antibodies, significantly ameliorated their symptoms; the levels of beef-specific antibodies were
considerably reduced in response to a cow meat exclusion diet. Calderon further concluded that specific IgG and IgA antibodies
coexist with IgE antibodies in sera from allergic patients and are significantly associated with the clinical course of allergic
disorders, particularly with asthma. It is likely that in humans IgG mediated reactions will predominantly cause milder reactions.
Also these reactions can occur delayed in time. Also food is not injected, as in the model of Jönnsen, but resorbed from the gut
mucosa. This will lead to a dilution of the antigen and the reaction will become dose dependent, a phenomenon observed in
IgG positive food challenge.
Controversy IgG vs IgG4
Mullin et al (7) describes the difference of food allergy mediated by IgE and delayed food allergy mediated by IgG. A major
difference between several tests on the market is the type of IgG tested. IgG is divided in 4 subclasses, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and
IgG4. IgG4 is related to a type 1 allergy and can be considered as the antidote of IgE. IgG4 does not opsonise the antigen and
does not activate the complement (8). IgG4 is a scavenging antibody not inducing inflammation (9, 10). IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3
have all opsonising properties and are able to activate the complement, necessary for an inflammatory response (8). IgG4 is not
recommended for the detection of adverse food reactions, as also stated in the position paper of the EAACI (11). IgG4 is present
in blood in much lower concentrations than the other subclasses. The sensitivity of ImuPro 300 test towards IgG4 is adjusted in
a way to only detect very high levels of IgG4, commonly reported as RAST class 6. This is important because lower values of IgG4
are irrelevant, but higher values of IgG4 could generate histamine, which could lead to pseudo-allergic symptoms in subjects
with low DAO-activity (12). Therefore it is preferable to avoid these foods too.
Arguments brought forward by the allergy societies
The statement and comments made in several publications (13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19, 20, 21) are
misleading, as they all relate to type 1 allergy. Nobody in the field of IgG testing is referring to
type 1 allergy; ImuPro is definitely not addressing allergy type 1 issues. The statements made
are correct, in respect to type 1 allergy, but not to the delayed type 3 allergy.
* Camille F. J. Lieners PhD Luxembourg; director of and responsible for clinical laboratories; specialized in immunology,
clinical chemistry, hormonology, microbiology and auto-immune diagnostics.; responsible for the development of
food hypersensitivy tests and genetic polymorphism tests etc.
Stand: 01.02.2012Not all IgG positive food lead to specific symptoms
The main criticism brought forward in all papers denying the relevance of IgG is that not every positive IgG reaction leads to a
symptom. Therefore, these reactions are often qualified as « non-specific » or « false positive ». By the way, these allegations are
also correct for the gold standard in type 1 allergy, IgE. Not every positive IgE is automatically related to a symptomatic allergic
reaction. Provided the test system used has no technical reasons for such false positive results and that the presence of the
detected IgG is real, this result should obtain the same attention than any food causing a specific symptom. We could observe
that every IgG positive food was responsible of water retention, a sign of an inflammatory reaction. Another point of criticism is
that IgG guided elimination diets lead to the elimination of too many foods, which causes malnutrition. This is absurd as in the
ImuPro concept we have two important factors avoiding such malnutrition:
1. Rotation diet: Each person should rotate the food on a 4 – 5 days basis, meaning only eating the same food every 5
th
day. So
automatically he or she has to eat different foods every day, avoiding a monotonous diet and malnutrition. The average daily
Western diet is by definition more monotonous than a rotation diet.
2. After a diet phase of 3 months, when the immune system has stabilized and inflammation decreased, we start the reintroduction of foods, one by one (challenge test) to identify the food causing specific symptoms. This principle is also used in IgE
mediated allergy and is the final proof for a clinically relevant allergy.
It is obvious that, once passed the gut barrier, the reaction between an antigen and an antibody (IgG) will lead to the formation
of an immune complex and that this immune complex will be destroyed by the immune cells. In most cases it will take place in
circulation and will not provoke a specific symptom, other than water retention. Aljada et al (22) showed the pro-inflammatory
effect of a mixed meal. In some individuals, it will lead to reduced insulin sensitivity, which on the long term could lead to insulin
resistance and related weight problems. The impact of chronic low-grade inflammation on insulin resistance and obesity has
been largely documented by Hotamisligil (23, 24, 25).
In practice, it could be observed that in weight problems, every positive food was relevant. When a specific symptom was
concerned, in most cases only 1 or 2 foods were responsible for the symptom. It could also observed that a certain food,
which was positive and did not cause symptoms at the time of testing, became relevant after some time, then causing a new
symptom.
Case report: A mid-aged man was positive to milk, yeast and some other food including gluten. Milk and yeast could be
addressed to 2 individual symptoms, while gluten and the rest were responsible for water retention. After one year the man
got a tendinitis, after excessive workout. Normally after one to two weeks tendinitis would disappear. In this case tendinitis
sustained, even after anti-inflammatory treatment. It turned out that by avoiding gluten, tendinitis disappeared. A challenge
with gluten could produce a relapse of the joint pain. This case demonstrates that one needs a sensitized tissue that is coated
with adhesion molecules to attract and fix circulating immune complexes, which are then destroyed locally.
If the food is eaten regularly, the chronic inflammation will soon or later occur locally and lead to a specific symptom. This is also
the explanation why not every food causes a specific symptom or the same symptom. It is strictly dependent of the individual
predisposition. But it is also the explanation for the wide spread indications, which are positively affected by food elimination
based on IgG. It depends on the genetics, previous traumas or infections of the subject. It also demonstrates that food is not
the primary cause but that food is the ongoing trigger for inflammation and related diseases in presence of an IgG response.
Therefore the identification and avoidance of such a food is extremely important for a possible cure.
Inappropriate interpretation of literature
The papers brought forward by the Allergy Society to show the uselessness of IgG is strictly dealing with type 1 allergy. None
of the papers cited (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 26) rely on scientific works of IgG mediated immune response. No published
scientific papers are in support of the claims of allergy societies. All statements done are polemic and represent the personnel
opinion of some individuals without support of scientific works. Old statements of certain medical societies are repeated which
have been refuted in the past years and which are strictly related to type 1 allergy. A scientifically conducted discussion must
also consider all published papers in favour of IgG, which have become numerous in the past years. Increasing evidence for the
role of IgG to food in IBS (27, 28, 29, 30, 31,44), inflammation and hypertension (32) migraine (33, 34, 35), respiratory diseases (36)
Crohn’s disease (37), behaviour problems like schizophrenia (38, 39) and asthma (6, 36, 40, 45) is described.
I would also like to comment on the paper of Pelsser (41) who concluded « that the prescription of diets on the basis of IgG
blood tests should be discouraged ». Firstly this statement is inappropriate because Pelsser didn’t even conduct an IgG based
elimination diet – so how can she predict any possible outcome. You can only postulate the above statement when you
compare an IgG based elimination diet to a control or other elimination diet.
Neither has been performed. Pelsser justifies her statement with a non-significant challenge between IgG positive and IgG
negative food. Both showed a high percentage of relapse of ADHD by 63%.
IgG food intolerance: a controversial discussionThis result is not surprising if you know the way she performed the challenge that had strong technical mistakes. Instead of
using single food items for the challenge, the children were allowed to choose from complex, processed food, like peanut
butter, pizza, ketchup, and so on. The food was not selected and provided by the therapist, but could be bought in the
supermarket. A challenge with these foods is inappropriate when you want to challenge IgG negative food, as you cannot rule
out that these processed foods contain IgG positive food. The fact that these « IgG-negative foods » exhibited a relapse must be
considered as normal and not as a failure of the principle. In practice, a significant improvement of ADHD in children and adults
equally could be observed, by adjusting their diet according to IgG-findings.
Why to choose ImuPro and not any other test?
1. ImuPro is only processed in certified laboratories.
2. ImuPro is used and processed throughout the world in more than 20 countries.
To our knowledge it is the only test with an external quality and proficiency testing worldwide.
3. ImuPro has a certified antigen production by R-Biopharm AG, an ISO certified diagnostic provider, also providing
antigens for FDA approved IgE tests.
4. All reagents have CE labelling
5. ImuPro is performed of venous blood samples, the gold standard for quantitative measurements, not from finger
prick blood.
6. ImuPro quantifies the specific IgG, allowing a follow up of evolution of antibody concentrations.
7. ImuPro offers the highest scientific support
8. ImuPro has a very high reproducibility, a criterion extremely important to me.
Summary
I believe the main reason for the present controversy is that the allergy societies confuse specific total IgG testing with IgG4
testing, considered as useless in allergic diseases. In most publications in allergy research IgG4 was used as marker. As described
above, the main indications for total specific IgG testing are not classical allergic diseases, as treated by allergologists, but
chronic pro-inflammatory diseases, where no guideline medical treatment is successful. It is also critical to see that publications
of allergy societies do not treat the topic scientifically by citing the pro and contra literature, but just the cons publications
which are most of the time not even scientific papers. Another issue could be that in the past the reliability of certain IgG tests
offered was not sustainable. But since ten years and certainly with the appearance of the ImuPro 300 test, things have changed.
The high consistency and the reproducibility of the ImuPro 300 test have made IgG testing reliable and a new powerful tool
to fight chronic inflammatory diseases by an individualized elimination diet. Certainly more studies are needed for complete
acceptance in the medical society.
Finally some questions need to be answered:
1. Why is the newest research ignored by the allergy society?
2. Why is only the allergy society arguing against IgG mediated food intolerance?
3. Why is it only the allergy society that denies the beneficial effects of an IgG mediated diet?
4. Why are more than 85% of patients who performed such an IgG mediated diet satisfied with the outcome and improvement
of their health situation?
5. Why are no patients complaining about the uselessness of such diagnostics?
6. Why is ImuPro such a success in small countries like Luxembourg, where health expenses are covered
by insurance, except for new tools like ImuPro, where patients have to pay 485 Euros for an ImuPro test? Why is it that
despite the costs more than 4% of the population have done an ImuPro test, with no slow down of demand? If patients
wouldn’t benefit from ImuPro, the test would have been dead for years. Why has the environmental medicine in
Luxembourg adopted ImuPro 300 in its screening program for chronically ill patients?
7. Why are more and more companies aware of the usefulness of IgG mediated food allergies in respect to the health and
productivity of their employees?
8. Why has there been a storm of indignation of consumers/ patients to a polemic article published in a well-known consumer
magazine called “Que choisir” (translated: What to Choose) in France? Not one reply was in favour of the article.Evomed Diagnostics AG • Landwehrstraße 54 • 64293 Darmstadt • Tel. 06151- 666 80 00 • info@evomed.com • www.evomed.com
IgG food intolerance: a controversial discussion
References:
(1) Mouse and human neutrophils induce anaphylaxis. Jönsson F, Mancardi DA, Kita Y, Karasuyama H, Iannascoli B, Van Rooijen N, Shimizu T, Daëron M, Bruhns P. J Clin Invest.
(2011) Apr 1; 121(4): 1484-96
(2) Basophils play a pivotal role in immunoglobulin-G-mediated but not immunoglob- ulin-E-mediated systemic anaphylaxis. Tsujimura Y, et al. Immunity. (2008);28(4):581–589
(3) Pathways of anaphylaxis in the mouse. Strait RT, Morris SC, Yang M, Qu XW, Finkelman FD. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2002);109(4):658–668.
(4) IgG-mediated systemic anaphylaxis to protein antigen can be induced even under conditions of limited amounts of antibody and antigen. Ishikawa R, Tsujimura Y, Obata K,
Kawano Y, Minegishi Y, Karasuyama H. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2010) Nov 26;402(4):742-6.
(5) Anaphylaxis: lessons from mouse models. Finkelman FD. Department of Medicine, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ohio, USA. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2007)
Sep; 120(3): 506-15
(7) Testing for Food Reactions : The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Gerard E. Mullin, Kathie M. Swift, Liz Lipski, Laura K. Turnbull and S. Devi Rampertab. Nutr Clin Pract (2010) 25: 192
(8) Immunologie, textbook Charles Janeway, Paul Travers, Mark Walport, Mark Shlomchick, Spektrum akademischer Verlag 5th edidtion (2002) 388-389 ISBN 3-8274-1079-7
(9) Inhibition of complement activation by IgG4 antibodies. Van der Zee JS, van Swieten P, Aalberse RC. Clin. Exp. Immunol. (1986) May: 64 (2):415-22
(10) Immunoglobulin G4: an odd antibody. Aalberse RC, Stapel SO, Schuurman J, Rispens T. Clin Exp Allergy, (2009) 39 (4):469-77.
(11) Testing for IgG4 against foods is not recommended as a diagnostic tool: EAACI Task Force Report. Steven O. Stapel , R. Asero , B. K. Ballmer-Weber 3 , E. F. Knol , S. Strobel , S.
Vieths , J. Kleine-Tebbe Allergy (2008) 63:793–796
(12) Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit (Histamin Intoleranz) [Taschenbuch] Grace M. D. Abbot; Camille Lieners; Isabella Mayer; Albert Missbichler; Markus Pfisterer; Helmut
Schmutz (2006) ISBN: 3950228705
(13) Keine Empfehlung für IgG und IgG4-Bestimmungen gegen Nahrungsmittel. Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie
(DGAKI), des Ärzteverbandes Deutscher Allergologen (ÄDA), der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Allergologie und Umweltmedizin (GPA), der Österreichischen Gesellschaft
für Allergologie und Immunologie (ÖGAI) und der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (SGAI) nach Übernahme des Task Force Report der
European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). Kleine-TebbeJ,ReeseI,Ballmer-WeberBKetal Allergo J (2009)18:267– 273
(14) Unproven diagnostic procedures in IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Niggemann B, Gruber C Allergy (2004) 59:806–808
(15) In-vitro Allergiediagnostik. Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Klinische Immunologie (DGAKI) unter Beteiligung des Ärzteverbandes Deutscher
Allergologen (ÄDA), der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Allergologie und Umweltmedizin (GPA) und der Deutschen Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Renz H,
Biedermann T, Bufe A et al Allergo J (2010)19:110–128
(16) Allergenfamilien und molekulare Diagnostik IgE-vermittelter Nahrungsmittelallergien: von der Theorie zur Praxis. Kleine-TebbeJ, MeißnerAM, JappeU, HeroldDA Allergo J
(2010)19:251–263
(6) Meat-specific IgG and IgA antibodies coexist with IgE antibodies in sera from allergic patients: clinical association and modulation by exclusion diet. Calderon TE, Ferrero M,
Marino GM, Beltramo D, Rabinovich GA, Romero MD. J.Biol.Regul.Homeost.Agents (2010) Jul-Sept: 24 (3): 261-71
(17) In-vitro-Diagnostik und molekulare Grundlagen von IgE-vermittelten Nahrungsmittelallergien. Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergie und Klinische Immunologie
(DGAKI), des Ärzteverbandes Deutscher Allergologen (ÄDA) und der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Allergologie und Umweltmedizin (GPA), der Österreichischen
Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (ÖGAI) und der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (SGAI). Kleine-TebbeJ, Ballmer
WeberB,BeyerKetal Allergo J (2009)132–146
(18) Bioresonanz – diagnostischer und therapeutischer Unsinn. Stellungnahme der Fachkommisssion der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (SGAI) zu den Bioresonanz- und Elektroakupunkturgeräten zur Diagnostik und Therapie von (vermeintlichen) Allergien. WüthrichB, FreiPC, BircherAJetal. Akt
Dermatol (2006)32:73–77
(19) Sinnlose Allergietests. Eine Stellungnahme der Fachkommission der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und Immunologie (SGAI) zur IgG/IgG4-Bestimmungen
gegen Nahrungsmittel. WüthrichB,FreiPC,BircherAJetal Allergologie (2005) 465–468
(20) Sinnlose diagnostischeTestsund Therapieverfahren in der Allergologie – ein zunehmendes Problem. Wüthrich B Dermatology (2010) 16:103–118
(21) AllergenspezifischeT-Zell-Antwortbei Ekzemkrankheiten (Habilitationsschrift). Werfel T. (2000) Fortschritte der Allergologie und Immunologie. Dustri, Deisenhofen München
(22). Increase in intra- nuclear nuclear factor kappaB and decrease in inhibitor kappaB in mononuclear cells after a mixed meal: evidence for a proinflammatory effect. Aljada A,
Mohanty P, Ghanim H, et al. Am J Clin Nutr (2004); 79:682–690.
(23) Increase adipose tissue expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human obesity and insulin resistance. Hotamisligil GS, Arner P, Caro JF, Atkinson RL, Spiegelman BM..
J Clin Invest (1995); 95: 2409-2415.
(24) Adipose expression of tumor necrosis factor- direct role in obesity-linked insulin resistance. ) Hotamisligil GS, Shargill NS, Spiegelman BM. .Science (1993); 259: 87-91.
(25) Inflammation and metabolic disorders Hotamisligil GS,Nature, (2006), 444, 860-867 (26) Ungeeignete Testverfahren in der Allergologie J. Kleine-Tebbe. D. A. Herold Hautarzt
(2010) 61: 961-966
(27) Food allergy in irritable bowel syndrome: new facts and old fallacies. Isolauri E, Rautava S, Kalliomaki M, (2004) Gut; 53 (10):1391-3
(28) Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Atkinson W, Sheldon TA, Shaath N and Whorwell PJ. (2004) Gut
53(10):1459-1464.
(29) R. Treating irritable bowel syndrome with a food elimination diet followed by food challenge and probiotics. Drisko J, Bischoff B, Hall M and McCullum (2006). J of the Am
college of Nutrition. Vol25 (6) 514-522
(30) Alterations of food antigen-specific serum immunoglobulins G and E antibodies in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia X. L. Zuo, Y. Q. L, W.
J. Li, Y. T. Guo, X. F. Lu, J. M. Li and P. V. Desmond Clinical and Experimental Allergy, (2007) 37, 823–830
(31) Dietary Treatment of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Peter Whorwell, MBChB, MRCP and Richard Lea, BSc, MD, FRCP Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology (2004),
7:307-316
(32) IgG antibodies against food antigens are correlated with inflammation and intima media thickness in obese juveniles. Wilders-Truschnig M, Mangge H, Lieners C, Gruber HJ,
Mayer C and Marz W. (2007). Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes
(33) A prospective Audit of food intolerance among migraine patients in primary care clinical practice. Trevor Rees, David Watson, Susan Lipscombe, Helen Speight, Peter
Cousins, Geoffrey Hardman, Andrew Dowson. (2005) Headache, Vol 2 No.1 11-14
(34) Food allergy mediated by IgG antibodies associated with migraine in adults. Arroyave Hernandez CM, Echevarria Pinto M, Hernandez Montiel HL. Rev Alerg Mex (2007); 54:
162–168
(35) Diet restriction in migraine, based on IgG against foods: a clinical double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial. Alpay K, Ertas M, Orhan EK, Ustay DK, Lieners C and Baykan B.
(2010) Cephalgia 1-9.
(36) Treatment of delayed food allergy based on specific immunoglobulin G RAST testing. Dixon H. (2000). Otolaryngology- Head Neck Surgery Vol 123:48-54
(37) Clinical relevance of IgG antibodies against food antigen in Crohn’s Disease – A double blind cross over diet intervention study S. Bentz, M. Hausmann, S. Paul, W. Falk,
F. Obermeier, J. Schölmerich, G. Rogler Digestion (2010);81:252–264
(38) Subunit and whole molecule specificity of the anti-bovine casein immune response in recent onset psychosis and schizophrenia. Severence EG, Dickerson FB, Halling M,
Krivogorsky B, Haile L, Yang S, Stallings CR, Origini AE, Bossis I, Xiao J, Dupont D, Haasnoot W, Yolken RH. Schizophr.Res.(2010) May 118(1-3):240-7
(39) Association between bovine casein antibody and new onset schizophrenia among US military personnel. Niehbur DW, Li Y, Cowan DN, Weber NS, Fisher JA, Ford GM,
Yolken R. (2011) Schizophr.Res. Mar2. (Epub ahead of print)
(40) Ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin G and subclass responses through the first 5 years of life in relation to duration of egg sensitization and the development of asthma.
Vance, G.H.S., Thornton, C.A., Bryant, T.N., Warner, J.A. and Warner, J.O. Clinical and Experimental Allergy,(2004) 34, (10), 1542-1549.
(41) Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomised controlled trial. Pelsser LM,
Frankena K, Toorman J, et al. Lancet (2011); 377: 494- 503
(42) Lebensmittelunverträglichkeit, Allergie Typ 3 erkennen und richtig behandeln. Hans J. Schwyn, Camille Lieners AT-Verlag, (2009) ISBN-10: 3038004154
(43) L’Immuno-nutrition, se nourir selon son immunité Dominique Rueff Edition Xavier de Guibert (2007) ISBN 978-2-7554-0107-3
(44) Milk protein IgG and igA : the association with milk-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in adults. Anthoni S, Savilahti E, Rautelin H, Kolho KL World J. (2009) Gastroenterol.
Oct 21 ; 15 (39) 4915-8
(45) The effect of exclusion of dietary egg and milk in the managment of asthmatic children : a pilot study. Yussof NA, Hampton SM, Dickerson JW, Morgan JB, (2004) J.R.Soc
Health 124(2) 74-80
IgG food intolerance: A controversial discussion
by Dr. Camille Lieners
*
Introduction
Undoubtedly food plays a major role in health and disease development in humans. On one side it is essential for a normal
development of the organism, on the other side it can alter normal functions, cause chronic diseases (best known is celiac
disease) and even lead to anaphylactic shock. This is an abnormal reaction of the immune system against a harmless protein.
Generally this type of acute allergy is believed to be caused by IgE reactions. But little is known about the chronic inflammation
induced by food. Determination of specific IgG to food seems to be the best marker to identify concerned food causing low
grade chronic inflammation. Elimination diets based on IgG guided findings ameliorate significantly a range of chronic illnesses.
New evidence for the role of IgG mediated immune response
A new scientific publication Jönnson et al. (1) showed and reproduced previous scientific findings (2, 3, 4, 5) that IgG can also be
implicated in anaphylaxis. However, it appears that larger amounts of antigens and antibodies are required than in case of IgE.
The assumption cited in all the past literature, which also is the basis of the arguments from allergologists, that IgG represents
a “normal” reaction with no clinical impact must be rejected, even in type 1 allergy. Calderon et al (6) showed that IgG and IgA
isotypes were significantly detected, even in the absence of IgE, in the three allergic conditions. All allergic patients, including
those showing only IgG and IgA antibodies, significantly ameliorated their symptoms; the levels of beef-specific antibodies were
considerably reduced in response to a cow meat exclusion diet. Calderon further concluded that specific IgG and IgA antibodies
coexist with IgE antibodies in sera from allergic patients and are significantly associated with the clinical course of allergic
disorders, particularly with asthma. It is likely that in humans IgG mediated reactions will predominantly cause milder reactions.
Also these reactions can occur delayed in time. Also food is not injected, as in the model of Jönnsen, but resorbed from the gut
mucosa. This will lead to a dilution of the antigen and the reaction will become dose dependent, a phenomenon observed in
IgG positive food challenge.
Controversy IgG vs IgG4
Mullin et al (7) describes the difference of food allergy mediated by IgE and delayed food allergy mediated by IgG. A major
difference between several tests on the market is the type of IgG tested. IgG is divided in 4 subclasses, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and
IgG4. IgG4 is related to a type 1 allergy and can be considered as the antidote of IgE. IgG4 does not opsonise the antigen and
does not activate the complement (8). IgG4 is a scavenging antibody not inducing inflammation (9, 10). IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3
have all opsonising properties and are able to activate the complement, necessary for an inflammatory response (8). IgG4 is not
recommended for the detection of adverse food reactions, as also stated in the position paper of the EAACI (11). IgG4 is present
in blood in much lower concentrations than the other subclasses. The sensitivity of ImuPro 300 test towards IgG4 is adjusted in
a way to only detect very high levels of IgG4, commonly reported as RAST class 6. This is important because lower values of IgG4
are irrelevant, but higher values of IgG4 could generate histamine, which could lead to pseudo-allergic symptoms in subjects
with low DAO-activity (12). Therefore it is preferable to avoid these foods too.
Arguments brought forward by the allergy societies
The statement and comments made in several publications (13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19, 20, 21) are
misleading, as they all relate to type 1 allergy. Nobody in the field of IgG testing is referring to
type 1 allergy; ImuPro is definitely not addressing allergy type 1 issues. The statements made
are correct, in respect to type 1 allergy, but not to the delayed type 3 allergy.
* Camille F. J. Lieners PhD Luxembourg; director of and responsible for clinical laboratories; specialized in immunology,
clinical chemistry, hormonology, microbiology and auto-immune diagnostics.; responsible for the development of
food hypersensitivy tests and genetic polymorphism tests etc.
Stand: 01.02.2012Not all IgG positive food lead to specific symptoms
The main criticism brought forward in all papers denying the relevance of IgG is that not every positive IgG reaction leads to a
symptom. Therefore, these reactions are often qualified as « non-specific » or « false positive ». By the way, these allegations are
also correct for the gold standard in type 1 allergy, IgE. Not every positive IgE is automatically related to a symptomatic allergic
reaction. Provided the test system used has no technical reasons for such false positive results and that the presence of the
detected IgG is real, this result should obtain the same attention than any food causing a specific symptom. We could observe
that every IgG positive food was responsible of water retention, a sign of an inflammatory reaction. Another point of criticism is
that IgG guided elimination diets lead to the elimination of too many foods, which causes malnutrition. This is absurd as in the
ImuPro concept we have two important factors avoiding such malnutrition:
1. Rotation diet: Each person should rotate the food on a 4 – 5 days basis, meaning only eating the same food every 5
th
day. So
automatically he or she has to eat different foods every day, avoiding a monotonous diet and malnutrition. The average daily
Western diet is by definition more monotonous than a rotation diet.
2. After a diet phase of 3 months, when the immune system has stabilized and inflammation decreased, we start the reintroduction of foods, one by one (challenge test) to identify the food causing specific symptoms. This principle is also used in IgE
mediated allergy and is the final proof for a clinically relevant allergy.
It is obvious that, once passed the gut barrier, the reaction between an antigen and an antibody (IgG) will lead to the formation
of an immune complex and that this immune complex will be destroyed by the immune cells. In most cases it will take place in
circulation and will not provoke a specific symptom, other than water retention. Aljada et al (22) showed the pro-inflammatory
effect of a mixed meal. In some individuals, it will lead to reduced insulin sensitivity, which on the long term could lead to insulin
resistance and related weight problems. The impact of chronic low-grade inflammation on insulin resistance and obesity has
been largely documented by Hotamisligil (23, 24, 25).
In practice, it could be observed that in weight problems, every positive food was relevant. When a specific symptom was
concerned, in most cases only 1 or 2 foods were responsible for the symptom. It could also observed that a certain food,
which was positive and did not cause symptoms at the time of testing, became relevant after some time, then causing a new
symptom.
Case report: A mid-aged man was positive to milk, yeast and some other food including gluten. Milk and yeast could be
addressed to 2 individual symptoms, while gluten and the rest were responsible for water retention. After one year the man
got a tendinitis, after excessive workout. Normally after one to two weeks tendinitis would disappear. In this case tendinitis
sustained, even after anti-inflammatory treatment. It turned out that by avoiding gluten, tendinitis disappeared. A challenge
with gluten could produce a relapse of the joint pain. This case demonstrates that one needs a sensitized tissue that is coated
with adhesion molecules to attract and fix circulating immune complexes, which are then destroyed locally.
If the food is eaten regularly, the chronic inflammation will soon or later occur locally and lead to a specific symptom. This is also
the explanation why not every food causes a specific symptom or the same symptom. It is strictly dependent of the individual
predisposition. But it is also the explanation for the wide spread indications, which are positively affected by food elimination
based on IgG. It depends on the genetics, previous traumas or infections of the subject. It also demonstrates that food is not
the primary cause but that food is the ongoing trigger for inflammation and related diseases in presence of an IgG response.
Therefore the identification and avoidance of such a food is extremely important for a possible cure.
Inappropriate interpretation of literature
The papers brought forward by the Allergy Society to show the uselessness of IgG is strictly dealing with type 1 allergy. None
of the papers cited (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 26) rely on scientific works of IgG mediated immune response. No published
scientific papers are in support of the claims of allergy societies. All statements done are polemic and represent the personnel
opinion of some individuals without support of scientific works. Old statements of certain medical societies are repeated which
have been refuted in the past years and which are strictly related to type 1 allergy. A scientifically conducted discussion must
also consider all published papers in favour of IgG, which have become numerous in the past years. Increasing evidence for the
role of IgG to food in IBS (27, 28, 29, 30, 31,44), inflammation and hypertension (32) migraine (33, 34, 35), respiratory diseases (36)
Crohn’s disease (37), behaviour problems like schizophrenia (38, 39) and asthma (6, 36, 40, 45) is described.
I would also like to comment on the paper of Pelsser (41) who concluded « that the prescription of diets on the basis of IgG
blood tests should be discouraged ». Firstly this statement is inappropriate because Pelsser didn’t even conduct an IgG based
elimination diet – so how can she predict any possible outcome. You can only postulate the above statement when you
compare an IgG based elimination diet to a control or other elimination diet.
Neither has been performed. Pelsser justifies her statement with a non-significant challenge between IgG positive and IgG
negative food. Both showed a high percentage of relapse of ADHD by 63%.
IgG food intolerance: a controversial discussionThis result is not surprising if you know the way she performed the challenge that had strong technical mistakes. Instead of
using single food items for the challenge, the children were allowed to choose from complex, processed food, like peanut
butter, pizza, ketchup, and so on. The food was not selected and provided by the therapist, but could be bought in the
supermarket. A challenge with these foods is inappropriate when you want to challenge IgG negative food, as you cannot rule
out that these processed foods contain IgG positive food. The fact that these « IgG-negative foods » exhibited a relapse must be
considered as normal and not as a failure of the principle. In practice, a significant improvement of ADHD in children and adults
equally could be observed, by adjusting their diet according to IgG-findings.
Why to choose ImuPro and not any other test?
1. ImuPro is only processed in certified laboratories.
2. ImuPro is used and processed throughout the world in more than 20 countries.
To our knowledge it is the only test with an external quality and proficiency testing worldwide.
3. ImuPro has a certified antigen production by R-Biopharm AG, an ISO certified diagnostic provider, also providing
antigens for FDA approved IgE tests.
4. All reagents have CE labelling
5. ImuPro is performed of venous blood samples, the gold standard for quantitative measurements, not from finger
prick blood.
6. ImuPro quantifies the specific IgG, allowing a follow up of evolution of antibody concentrations.
7. ImuPro offers the highest scientific support
8. ImuPro has a very high reproducibility, a criterion extremely important to me.
Summary
I believe the main reason for the present controversy is that the allergy societies confuse specific total IgG testing with IgG4
testing, considered as useless in allergic diseases. In most publications in allergy research IgG4 was used as marker. As described
above, the main indications for total specific IgG testing are not classical allergic diseases, as treated by allergologists, but
chronic pro-inflammatory diseases, where no guideline medical treatment is successful. It is also critical to see that publications
of allergy societies do not treat the topic scientifically by citing the pro and contra literature, but just the cons publications
which are most of the time not even scientific papers. Another issue could be that in the past the reliability of certain IgG tests
offered was not sustainable. But since ten years and certainly with the appearance of the ImuPro 300 test, things have changed.
The high consistency and the reproducibility of the ImuPro 300 test have made IgG testing reliable and a new powerful tool
to fight chronic inflammatory diseases by an individualized elimination diet. Certainly more studies are needed for complete
acceptance in the medical society.
Finally some questions need to be answered:
1. Why is the newest research ignored by the allergy society?
2. Why is only the allergy society arguing against IgG mediated food intolerance?
3. Why is it only the allergy society that denies the beneficial effects of an IgG mediated diet?
4. Why are more than 85% of patients who performed such an IgG mediated diet satisfied with the outcome and improvement
of their health situation?
5. Why are no patients complaining about the uselessness of such diagnostics?
6. Why is ImuPro such a success in small countries like Luxembourg, where health expenses are covered
by insurance, except for new tools like ImuPro, where patients have to pay 485 Euros for an ImuPro test? Why is it that
despite the costs more than 4% of the population have done an ImuPro test, with no slow down of demand? If patients
wouldn’t benefit from ImuPro, the test would have been dead for years. Why has the environmental medicine in
Luxembourg adopted ImuPro 300 in its screening program for chronically ill patients?
7. Why are more and more companies aware of the usefulness of IgG mediated food allergies in respect to the health and
productivity of their employees?
8. Why has there been a storm of indignation of consumers/ patients to a polemic article published in a well-known consumer
magazine called “Que choisir” (translated: What to Choose) in France? Not one reply was in favour of the article.Evomed Diagnostics AG • Landwehrstraße 54 • 64293 Darmstadt • Tel. 06151- 666 80 00 • info@evomed.com • www.evomed.com
IgG food intolerance: a controversial discussion
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