Max Desorgher asked:
 
>I'd like to know some of the facts behind all of this, like how
>exactly does milk lead to ear infections? Is there a causal link that
>can be seen and proved? I suffered from continual ear complaints
>until I cut out all dairy last year. What's the connection?
 
After the Nsouli article on ear infections and allergies came out this
question was asked to Dr. Reichelt. His reply:
 
From:    [log in to unmask] (Kalle Reichelt)
Subject: ear infections, allergy, autism & gluten
Date:    19 Jul 1995
 
Jack Challem, Editor of The Nutrition Reporter (TM) newsletter, wrote:
 
>       I'm sure you'll hear a lot of opinions. But I'll point to you to a
>specific journal citation that confirmed what people have been saying for
>years. The fundamental cause of ear infections is allergy, which causes fluid
>retention in the ear, which creates a great breeding ground for bacteria. The
>most common allergens for small children are milk and wheat.
 
>Nsouli TM, "Role of food allergy in serious otitis media," Annals of Allergy,
>September 1994;73:215-219.
 
This is quite interesting because the IgA antibodies formed in the gut are
transported to all mucous membranes in the body and may react with
appropriate antigens. Because intact antigens are taken up into the blood
postprandially (1) and we have also demonstrated increased levels of IgA
antibodies to gluten, gliadin and casein in some autistic patients (2,3); I
can easily see a possible connection, where all mucosal membranes are
irritated by the circulating antigen reacting with deposited IgA
antibodies.
 
References:
1: Husby S et al (1985) Scand J Immunol 22:83-92.
2: Reichelt Kl et al (1990) J Applied Nutr. 42:1-11
3: Reichelt KL et al (1994) Develop Brain Dysfunct. 7:71-85
 
All the best                                    Cheers
 
                                                TINY
 
Dr. Kalle Reichelt
Pediatric Research Institute
N-0027 Oslo, Norway
 
=================
 
This is one of the Net articles he has written that I have collected and put
up at:
 
  http://www.panix.com/~donwiss/reichelt.html
 
They total 80K and I can easily e-mail them.
 
Don.