Hi Stephanie,

In answer to your first question:

1.) Is there a difference between the IGe, IGg test and the ALCAT test?

IgE and IgG are two types of antibodies.  

IgE antibodies are important in classical food allergies which are the kind that happen within seconds or minutes of being exposed to a food.  Classical food allergies have nothing to do with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic inflammatory conditions.  IgE testing will not help you get over arthritis because it tests for the wrong thing.

IgG antibodies can be involved in delayed food hypersensitivites, which are the kind that are behind rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions, but they are not as clinically relevant as ALCAT testing.  This is because 1) they measure exposure to certain foods and not necessarily reactivity so you get a lot of false positives and 2) there are also other inflammatory pathways that don't have anything to do with IgG that can cause delayed food hypersensitivities, so you get a lot of false negatives.

ALCAT testing measure the number and size of all the blood cells before and after exposure to a given food or chemical.  Because all delayed food and chemical sensitivities results in an increase in cell size, a decrease in cell size, a increase in the number of certain types of cells and/or a decrease in the number of certain types of cells, this test 1) catches all possible type of adverse immune system reactions in the time frame being measured which is hours to days and 2) is highly relavent clinically because it is scoring only actual reactions.

Hi Barbara!

Thank you so much for the information.  Apparently, my insurance does cover this procedure. If the Dr. I am going to tomorrow doesn't facilitate the ALCAT test,  I will definitely do it through you. 


1.) If I do the ALCAT does that mean I do not have to do the fasting?
2.)  I read in your book that fasting does help with autoimmune disorders,  should I still do the fasting to clean out my system?  If so, is five days of fasting the minimum?   If not, how many days should I do?

Okay, I think these are all the questions I have for today. 

Have a good day.

Thank you!

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

In answer to your questions:

1.) If I do the ALCAT does that mean I do not have to do the fasting?  Yes, with the ALCAT test, fasting become optional.

2.)  I read in your book that fasting does help with autoimmune disorders,  should I still do the fasting to clean out my system?  If so, is five days of fasting the minimum?   If not, how many days should I do?  You can fast if you like, but wait until you have your ALCAT diet perfected first.  That way you will get maximum benefit from your fast.  You can fast as long (within reason) or as short as you want, but the benefits really start kicking in at the end of day 3.  I personally like 5 day fasts.

Hi Barbara,

You said to eliminate sugars from my diet. 

1.) For fasting  does that include natural sugars?
2.) In general, natural and brown sugars?

Thank you!

Stephanie 

Hi Stephanie,  I you purchase your ALCAT test through my website (http://www.ConqueringArthritis.com/alcat) then I am the one to do your consultation.  No, my office does not take insurance.  However we provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your health insurance yourself.