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HOLLYWOOD, FL USA – Six of the contributing editors for Reviews in
Gastroenterological Disorders attended the 2003 Digestive Disease Week
(DDW) meetings and reported on noteworthy presentations in their areas of
expertise (Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2003; 3(3): 158-179).

One of the studies reviewed evaluated a different treatment modality -
food elimination diets in IBS, which was presented at the plenary session
by a research team from the University Hospital of South Manchester.
According to the review, “… the results of this study could change current
management of IBS.”

The University Hospital of South Manchester researchers conducted an
independent, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.  The study
consisted of 150 outpatients with all bowel habit subtypes of IBS and
randomized them to either a diet excluding all foods to which they had
measurable IgG antibody titers, as reported by the IgG ELISA food
intolerance screening known as the foodSCAN, or, alternatively, a placebo
diet.  In the placebo diet, the same number of foods were excluded but not
those to which the patients were reported allergic, based on elevated IgG
antibody titers.

The results of this study proved to be extremely interesting.  Patients on
the diet in which foods that had positive IgG antibody titers were
excluded did significantly better than patients on the placebo diet.
Global symptoms, as well as symptom severity scores, improved.  Simply
put, the health of patients following the correct diet improved
dramatically, while the health of patients on the placebo diet did not.
Additionally, patients with both diarrhea- and constipation- predominant
IBS appeared to respond similarly.

According to Dr. P.J. Whorwell, Gastroenterologist, University Hospital of
South Manchester, "This is the first time a commercially available blood
test for food intolerance has been subjected to scientific scrutiny in
patients with irritable bowel syndrome.  In a controlled trial, patients
eliminating foods to which they had antibodies as determined by Yorktest
Laboratories experienced a significant improvement in their symptoms,
providing evidence that this approach may be very valuable in treating
this condition."

Reviews in Gastroenterological Disorders went on to report, “… if these
results are confirmed, they have the potential to change practice because,
arguably, this approach should be cheaper and may be more effective than
most other current therapies available.”

BACKGROUND NOTES:

* Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has been reported to affect at least 15%
the population. In fact, it is so common that surveys reveal about half of
the people attending hospital out-patient departments with digestive
problems are suffering from IBS.  Symptoms can include: abdominal pain and
spasm, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, flatulence, incontinence, nausea,
belching and vomiting.  Secondary symptoms include panic attacks, anxiety
and depression.

* For over 20 years York Nutritional Laboratories (YNL) has been a leading
pioneer in the arena of food allergy testing and has carried out tens of
thousands of tests for patients throughout the world.

* YNL came to international attention with its development of the
foodSCAN; a simple kit that provides a convenient method to test for IgG-
mediated food allergy. A tiny "pin-prick" sample of blood is taken by
using this unique kit, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The established Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique is
used to identify an individual's IgG antibody reactions against 113
different, and commonly eaten, foods.

* YNL introduced North America to its 93-food foodSCAN IgG ELISA Food
Intolerance Test in December 2000.  In June 2001 YNL increased the number
of foods tested for IgG-mediated food allergy from 93 to 113 - without any
increase in the patient cost.

* In August 2002 YNL launched the cdSCAN, a finger-stick IgA Tissue
Transglutaminase (tTG) Autoantibody Assay for the screening of Celiac
Disease.

* In December 2003 YNL made available the hpSCAN Helicobacter Pylori
(H.pylori) Digestive Disorder Kit, which is a rapid test that provides
results within 10 minutes.

* A panel of medical professionals assembled by The Wall Street Journal
reviewed 18 companies and their "at-home" test kits, including York
Nutritional Laboratories' foodSCAN IgG ELISA Food Intolerance Test.  The
panel reported very favorably on York Nutritional Laboratories and its
food intolerance screening services.  "York Nutritional Laboratories; Uses
the well-regarded ELISA test." - The Wall Street Journal, Friday, October
26, 2001

* The August/September 2002 issue of The Townsend Letter For Doctors,
published the British Allergy Foundation's (BAF) audit, which the BAF
commissioned the Department of Health Studies at York University to
oversee.  The study involved over 1700 patients and validated the foodSCAN
finger-stick test as a treatment for IBS, eczema and migraines.

For further information about food intolerance and its relationship with
IBS, or to receive a copy of the Reviews in Gastroenterological Disorders’
review article, contact John Kernohan: Toll Free (888) 751-3388, Fax (954)
920-3729, [log in to unmask] or www.yorkallergyusa.com.

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