<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> At 04:40 PM 9/26/95 -0500, T RYAN <[log in to unmask]> asked: > What is Vega testing? Here's an article from another group that was written in reply to something I posted to that group: Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 17:00:01 -0400 Sender: Yeast-Related Medical Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> From: pat ogrady <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Vega Testing >Any information on vega testing (electric test for allergies which includes >candida) would be appreciated. Here's my experience with vega testing. I've been tested at a md's office and at a naturopath - chiropractor. The testing procedure was similar. You remove all metal objects (eg coins, watch) before the test. You hold a metal cylinder connected to the machine in your dominant hand. The operator places a probe on an acupuncture point on the opposite hand or foot completing the circuit and takes a reading from a meter on the vega machine. At the beginning of the test they calibrate the meter and also during the test when they change acupuncture points. There is a large metal block with a hole in it as part of the electrical circuit. To test a substance a vial containing a pure form of the substance is placed in the hole and the operator places the probe on the acupuncture point. The machine gives off a squeal when contact is made and a reading is taken from the meter. They will also test substances that you bring in by placing them on top of the metal block and taking a reading. The reading is given as a number, 0 - no reaction, 10 mild, 20 moderate, 30 and above avoid. The naturopath - chiropractor was trained as an electrical engineer and I asked him how the test works. As I understand it, if there is no reaction a resonant circuit is formed and you get a maximum reading. If there is a reaction, the strength of the circuit is reduced and the meter measures the reduction in strength. The test was developed in Germany and is used in Europe. When I first took the test I was very leery of how this could work. The results surprised me though. Before taking the test, I had tried a bit of a rotation - elimination diet. I would not eat a food for 4 days, then try it and see if I noticed a reaction. The vega test showed a response to many of the foods I suspected. During the test I did not know which substances were being tested, so I could not bias the results. In this forum and others I have heard of other tests such as kinesiology ( measure reaction by changes in strength), some tests done by acupuncturists, which also measure a reaction by holding the substance close to the body, but not ingesting it. After removing these foods from my diet, my problems (fatigue, bloating, irritable bowel) improved a great deal. My allergies to wheat, milk, corn, tomatoes also meant almost all prepared foods were dropped as well. This also may have been of benefit.