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Elimination & Challenge
This is the best method to identify food reactivities, especially intolerances
and is far more simple than it sounds. As delayed food allergy usually involves a number of foods, not just one as in the case of peanut allergy, a number of suspected foods must be simultaneously avoided for 10-14 days.
Many common foods fall into this category.
There are several levels of exclusion, depending on the severity of the problem. Should symptoms improve significantly or clear, each food is
re-introduced one-by-one to see if it rekindles any symptoms. The process is known as unmasking because the re-introduction following avoidance seems to make the symptom more pronounced. After confirmation, if reactive foods can be avoided for a further 6-8 weeks tolerance can improve and these foods can again be used sparingly, without the same ill effects.
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People who are quite poorly because of this problem are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms during the first few days.
This is a clinical test, not the treatment!
Accuracy
High. Several clinical trials have shown that changes of diet, based on the findings of an Elimination & Challenge process, benefit a very high proportion of patients by identifying the food-triggers.
Contra-indications
Very under-weight patients and those with severe or extensive food re-activities, if their menu is limited. |
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