The Northern Virginia
CFS/FMS
Support Group

Carrie Zipper and Tory Trocki
Meeting Date: August 17, 2002
ELISA/ACT Testing & Perque Supplements

Elly prepared these notes were prepared on August 14, 2002, before the meeting.

Next Saturday's meeting is a speaker/topic meeting on ELISA/ACT food/chemical sensitivities blood testing and Perque supplements. Many in group have been through this testing with various results, including me in 1993. Some found it helpful, others didn't. I took the Perque brand of supplements for awhile, but since I've found things less expensive that work better for me. Having company representatives at a meeting may give the opportunity to learn more before we buy the test or supplements.

Here's some general stuff from the web about this topic and specificall this company. I am sure you can find more  in your own searches. One thing you will discover is that this testing is controversial and is disparaged on Quackwatch. You'll just have to make up your own mind. If anyone wants to share their experience, send them in with specific examples. Thanks. -Elly

The diagnosis and treatment of food allergies
http://www.food-allergy.org/page2.html

A very helpful site listing all kinds of labs that evaluate difficult conditions such as CFS: http://www.healthy.net/professionals/diagno.asp

Carrie Zipper and Tory Trocki (410) 268-8085     (Not sure if they are still with company)
ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies
14 Pidgeon Hill #300
Sterling, VA 22181
phone: 800 553 5472
fax: 703 450 2981
email: clientservices@elisaact.com
Providers of the most comprehensive functional ex vivo delayed allergy tests.

An overview of lymphocyte response assay (LRA) by ELISA/ACT Testing
http://www.elisaact.com/pdfs/EABOverview.pdf

CFIDS Relevant link at their site:
http://www.elisaact.com/pdfs/EAB_ClinicalPearls_CFIDS10.pdf

Can't find links on web anymore for this. May be outdated.

An overview of ELISA/ACT:
what it tests & why by Dr. Russell Jaffe, MD

ELISA/ACT is the name of a blood test that measures a person's reactions
to a wide variety of common substances: medications, foods, additives, and
preservatives, as well as environmental chemicals. In a healthy state, we
are able to tolerate the substances we eat or are exposed to in the
environment. When the load of foreign exposures exceeds our reserves,
our immune system is activated and we mobilize defenses against the
invaders, lest they interfere with our cellular health. When we become
sensitive, our immune defense and repair system diverts itself to combating
these foreign exposures. This means that we defer repair until the immediate
assault of foreign exposure is over. For too many people, the assaults are
regular and create sustained deficits in repair of usual wear and tear.
In this state, we are also more hospitable to bacterial or viral infections
because our finite immune defenses are preoccupied with neutralizing the
foreign substances to which we are sensitive.

Further, since our immune system is only a part of a larger hormonal and
neurochemical control system. Over-work (and possible exhaustion) by the
immune system imposes stress on the hormonal and neurochemical control
systems as well. This over-work in the immune-hormonal-neurochemical system
can 'short circuit' energy systems in the cell, and leave the body on the
energy-inefficient acidic side as a result of immune reactions. Diets too
high in fat/protein/sugar and too low in buffering minerals, nutrients, and
complex carbohydrates ('carbs'), and distress (which, itself, rouses acid
forming chemical pathways) can all lead to exhaustion until the cycle of
immune overload and essential nutrient deficits is reversed.

ELISA/ACT is distinctive in identifying reactions to all delayed or hidden
immune reactions. This includes antibodies (functionally significant IgA,
IgM, and IgG) as well as immune complexes and cell-mediated responses.
Only a cell culture of all relevant lymphocyte (white cells with long life in
circulation) types can give this information. ELISA/ACT is a highly sensitive cell
response test which provides a specific fingerprint for each person by identifying
substances (typically 6-20 items out of up to 340 that can be tested) which
ought be avoided (substituted) for a period of three to six months. During
this three to six months, a program of repair and immune system 'resetting'
is carried out. The repair program is based on both the results of the cell
culture test and a Health Appraisal questionnaire developed by the lab and
tested for over 10 years. For more information, contact client services
at 703 758-0610.


QUESTIONS

What is the link between immediate and delayed reactions?

We are still learning about the links between the types of immune reactions.
We have often heard that when the delayed/hidden reactions are 'reset to
tolerance' through the ELISA/ACT program, that immediate reactions either
disappear or are much less intense. The goal of immunotherapy, for example,
is to increase the protective type of IgG4 (a subclass of IgG antibodies)
which neutralizes the IgE, the usual trigger to immediate reactions.

Can ELISA/ACT help with sensitivity to Candida?

Sensitivity to Candida occurs when our digestion is impaired and thereby
leads to repair deficits in the intestines and a consequent 'leaky gut
syndrome'. This is often linked to a long retention of digestive remnants
(long 'transit time') on which yeasts like Candida can grow as they try to
further digest what should have been previously more fully digested,
assimilated, and eliminated.

Eating foods which are immunocompatible (e.g., based on ELISA/ACT testing)
lowers the work load on the immune system. A concurrent repair program,
perhaps including enough buffered ascorbate to stimulate intestinal repair
and shorten the transit time, can often allow the body to get ahead of
resistant Candida sensitivities.

How delayed are delayed sensitivity reactions?

Delays between several hours and days (sometimes up to a week or more) can
occur in different types of delayed sensitivity reactions. That is why
detection of the delayed or hidden reactors has been so difficult in the past
and why a system that looks at all the different delayed pathways is so valuable. This is part of why the ELISA/ACT system of testing by lymphocyte culture was developed.

Are symptoms related to delayed sensitivities similar to conventional allergies?

Delayed sensitivities usually show up as symptoms related to an autoimmune
condition. The 'weak link' in the body is the organ or system that first
shows symptoms. Examples include irritable bowel to ulcerative colitis in the
intestines; migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis and cerebral focal
swelling [cognitive interference / 'brain fog'] in the brain; Fibromyalgia and
fibromyositis in muscles; rheumatoid arthritis and related arthrities in the
joints; etc. In contrast, conventional allergies usually manifest as hives,
wheezes, itching, and anaphylaxis. While there can be an overlap of both
types, immediate and delayed immune reactions have different mechanisms and
different symptoms.

Are cognitive symptoms common?

When immune reactions affect the brain, focal swelling can occur. In
addition, when energy reserves are depleted by immune reactions and maldigestion,
the brain can be deprived of what it needs for sustained function.

How common is the link between CFS and delayed sensitivities?

While definitive epidemiologic studies have not been reported yet, clinical
reports suggest that it is common for CFS folks to have delayed sensitivities
(often unknown until proper testing is done). Immune reactions are
energetically demanding and also leave acidic residues. When cells are too
acidic, cellular machinery functions poorly and can easily become
energy-starved. The best easily available measure of cellular acidosis is
the urinary pH after a 10+ hour rest. The first morning urine can be tested
to see if cellular acidosis is likely. The recent work showing swollen,
underfunctional mitochondria (energy powerhouses in the cell) can be made
worse (and perhaps be caused) by persistent immune reactions.

When chronic fatigue doesn't respond to therapy, testing for delayed
sensitivities (which ought then be avoided for three to six months) combined
with a program of cellular and energetic rebuilding (provided on request as
part of the interpretation of ELISA/ACT testing including both specific
supplementation and healthy habits to reset distress patterns) is a sensible
primary step to take. Discuss this with your physician.

Perque Inc.

http://www.emersonecologics.com/CompanyInformation.asp?c=PER&cn=Perque

PERQUE is a line of nutrtional supplements founded in 1985 by Dr. Russell M. Jaffe, PERQUE, Inc. Some of the marketing: "PERQUE, Inc. innovates and sells uniquely potent products that meet consumer and professional needs to restore, sustain, and enhance health. PERQUE products converge the best of technology, formulation, third party post-production assays, outcome validation studies, and clinical experience into effective and active health
agents. These superior health agents provide universal relief from nutritional distress and exemplify integrity at all levels. PERQUE products are highly functional and clinically proven with more powerful, comprehensive formulation than other comparable brands.

Every PERQUE product provides 100% potency and activity for its entire shelf
life. Every ingredient used in a PERQUE product is pharmaceutical-grade or
better. All PERQUE products dissolve rapidly (usually within 20 minutes),
eliminating digestive irritation often found with other brands. Full label
disclosure is provided for all PERQUE products - no hidden ingredients. Every
PERQUE product is activated with the same transporters that are used by
nature and in food to ensure full bioavailability. The biologically preferred
form of an ingredient is always used for enhanced activity. Free of wheat/gluten, corn/zein/starch, dairy/casein/whey/milk derivatives, yeast, soy, sulfate, phosphates (other than coenzymes), and preservatives. No GMOs. 100% vegetarian formula.