Differences between the ALCAT test, RAST test, and MRT

There are various tests which are used to identify food allergies and sensitivities. These tests include:
ALCAT - Antigen Leukocyte Cellular Antibody Test: The ALCAT was first created by the American Medical Testing Labs. This test is being marketed as a test for screening adverse reactions which are particular to certain food additives, preservatives, colors or the food items in general. This test gauges the reactions shown towards food intolerance. However, it fails to give clinically effective results. A lot of researches conducted about this test deem it to be unreliable for screening and diagnosing food allergies. Moreover, it can also lead to false diagnosis, misinterpreted results and wrong therapeutic measures. This test is performed by a Coulter counter in which the white blood cells in the blood sample are counted before and after the food intake. The data is then analyzed by using computer which prints histograms which are then converted into final test results.
RAST – Known as Radioallergosorbent Test, RAST is quite well known for its use to identify food allergies. It is also an alternative to the skin test in order to identify the causative agent behind the allergy. The benefits of the RAST are that it has good reproducibility and tends to measure the full range of the measuring curve. Another benefit of this test is that normally, the patients do not have to stop their anti histamine therapy unlike the skin test. Moreover, this test can also be done in the presence of skin allergic symptoms. Therefore, this test has relatively more benefits as compared to the skin test. This test was created by Pharmacia Diagnostics in 1974 and was also marketed by them. This radioimmunoassay tends to clearly indentify the IgE allergens that are present in the blood stream.
MRT – Mediator Release Testing is also one of the tests that are used to identify the causes of food allergies. This test tends to calculate the chemical mediators that are released from the white blood cells as a response to the allergic antigen in the food. Presence of these chemical mediators in the blood indicates strong signs of food allergy to that particular agent. The results shown by this test are in a gradient from mild to very high, thereby indicating the type of allergic reaction exhibited by the body towards that particular food. Problems such as migraine, rashes, throat infections, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and constipation are easily identified under the food allergy by using this test. The agent behind the allergy can then be identified by using proper history and patient monitoring.

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What are Food Sensitivities?

Humans are very different from each other which is why, they normally differ in all aspects of life. One tends to see a lot of variety in the aspects related to humans. Food, for instance, is a good example in this scenario. A particular food which is well digested by one person might not be that stomach friendly with the other. There are varieties of abnormal responses that one can exhibit towards food. These are: Food sensitivity, Food intolerance and Food allergy. Despite the fact that these terms seem to be inter related, these are quite different practically. These terms differ on the basis of their causative agent, duration and the appearance of signs and symptoms.
Food sensitivity: Food sensitivity refers to the sensitivity exhibited by a person towards some particular foods. The reason behind this complexity is quite confusing and cannot be easily studied. That is why, proper and timely response is not made and delayed symptoms are presented by the patient. In short, these food sensitivities can be due to the toxic response of people towards food and can be further divided into: Food intolerance and Food allergy.
Food intolerance: This is a food sensitivity that is non allergenic in nature. It is a delayed reaction to particular food items such as some food additives, beverages or dairy items. Because of the absence of the Ig E antibody, this reaction cannot be deemed as an allergy. The symptoms exhibited by the patient can be either in the form of gastric disturbances such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation. It may also be exhibited in the form of skin reactions such as rashes, etc. General reactions such as stomach cramps can also be exhibited by the patients.
Food allergy:
Food allergy is a severe response to particular food that is exhibited by the immune system of the body. it is quite different from other food sensitivities such as food intolerance. In this response, the IgE mediator is present in the blood stream which is triggered by the allergic food material. The reaction to this particular food item is quite quick and can even be dangerous. The symptoms are dermatitis – skin reaction such as rashes and eczema, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, nausea or constipation – gastrointestinal reactions and cough, breathlessness and asthma – respiratory reactions. The responses of the individuals vary from being very mild to extremely severe. These allergies are resolved via anti allergic medications or by using the desensitization technique.

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The Side Effects of Muscle-building protein powder

Muscle building protein powder is a protein supplement that is taken in the form of powder. These powders are generally consumed by athletes and those people who want to build their muscle mass. This powder is consumed by mixing it with milk or water, consuming it in the form of milk shake or juice. It is normally taken before or after exercising with the perception that it makes muscles and repairs damaged muscle tissues. However, using proteins on a long term basis in order to increase muscle mass can be detrimental to the one’s health. This can be exhibited in the form of the following effects:
1. Kidney stones: Excessive protein intake in the form of supplements is not too healthy for the kidneys. The excessive protein content not only puts the pressure of the kidney’s vessels for further filtration, but it also increases the chances of having kidney stones. These stones can be painful in nature and can decrease the functioning of the kidneys to a great extent. Moreover, the larger stones have to be removed via surgery.
2. Weak bones: Consuming a lot of protein in the diet can increase the acidity of the blood which is indicated by a low pH level of the blood. This acidic nature tends to weaken bones by de-mineralizing them easily. This loss of minerals from the bones can lead to internally weak bones which are more prone to fracture and injuries. It also proceeds the bones from being osteopenic and osteoporotic. Such weakened bones are quite difficult to revert back to normal and can lead to numerous other problems such as back pain, fractures and debilitation.
3. Ketosis: Ketosis is a condition that occurs in the body if one consumes too much of protein and practically no carbohydrates in their diet. This results in the utilization of fat by the body in order to gain energy. This happens because no carbohydrate is available for the body to gain energy from. This condition not only puts extra pressure onto the kidneys and the liver, but also changes the metabolic patterns that the body is used to.
Above mentioned are some of the side effects that too much muscle building proteins can have on the body. Therefore, one should optimize their usage of natural products and stop being dependent upon artificial substitutes which are unhealthy in the long term.

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The Side effects of Whey Protein Isolate Supplement

Whey protein isolate are protein supplements that are used by those individuals who are interested in gaining body mass and increase their muscles. This protein also prevents one from diseases such as high blood pressure and cancer. Whey protein is taken as a supplement by many who want to gaining muscle strength. However, whey protein can have certain side effects that are now being known to others. These side effects are as follows:

1. Allergy: Some people who are lactose intolerant cannot take dairy products as they have lactose in them. Whey protein is also extracted from milk which is why, it cannot be taken by lactose intolerant people. However, if a lactose intolerant person intakes whey protein, then he or she would suffer from immediate allergic reactions that start from rashes and go on to be as serious as an anaphylactic shock. These allergic reactions are relieved on taking the anti histamines or the gradual suppression of the signs and symptoms as the quantity of this compound decreases from the body.
2. Kidney dysfunction: Even though it has not been proved scientifically, it is generally believed that whey protein affects the kidney function. The protein affects the filtration which is done by the kidneys to a certain level. This limits the kidney function. However, this is only possible if very huge quantities of whey protein are being consumed. The kidneys are not affected if the intake is normal. It is also implied that consumption of whey protein over a long time period can also result in suppressed kidney function.
3. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition in which the calcium and vitamin D are being lost from the bones, leaving them weak and prone to fracture. It is said that the intake of whey protein in high quantity tends to create an imbalance in the mineral content of the bones, leading to a decrease in bone density and causing osteoporosis. This cause too is not scientifically proven but rather, it is assumed when high quantities of this protein are being consumed over a long time period.

The above mentioned side effects of whey protein make it unhealthy for use by people. However, care should be taken not to over use this protein or take it for a long time period. This can protect one from the side effects of this protein.

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