Hi Susan,

I have never had an ALCAT test but feel that the ELISA is helpful. Typically
I already suspect certain foods when I have the test done, but because
symptoms can occur as late as 3 days after ingesting the food, it is really
hard to tell sometimes with elimination alone. 

This time around I had already suspected pork. There were several times I
ate pork and afterward I had horrible water retention in my legs and
stomach. It was gone the next morning. Since we had eaten at restaurants
those times I thought it could have been cross contamination because I am
very intolerant to dairy - no doubt about it - and I wasn't sure. When I got
my results back I showed a medium reaction to pork. Equally I had suspected
a reaction to beef and also buffalo (not tested). Shortly before getting the
test I also noticed water retention after eating beef (grass fed,
hormone/antiobiotic free) but more so, I felt almost addicted to it. They
say this can be a sign that you are intolerant to a food.

For me personally eating paleo alone didn't do it - I find these tests very
helpful and typically when I eliminate the foods that the lab found I react
to, I start to feel better.

If you have more questions that you feel don't belong on the list feel free
to email me privately.

Kristina

-----Original Message-----
From: Paleolithic Eating Support List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Susan Carmack
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 8:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Fish/Smarten Up! and allergy testing

Hi Adrienne and paleopeople,

>I had an ELISA blood test done
>I've had the ALCAT test done

Please tell me what you think of these tests. My son is almost paleo, 
yet he is getting some ugly rashes on his elbows. When he stopped 
eating eggs and bananas (as well as gluten and dairy), his rashes went away.
Would you recommend testing or just eliminating foods?

Speaking of gluten, Ron Hoggan has a new DVD out called Smarten Up! 
http://www.smartenup.info/ that I just finished watching. In the 
presentation, Ron discusses gluten and how it impedes learning and behavior.
Celiac disease is explained in detail and why grains are so 
detrimental to our health.

>As for fish -- sardines, wild salmon, wild sea scallops and the wild sea
>prawns from Florida available at Whole Foods store are excellent.

I just lightly fried some salmon and sprinkled some fresh ground 
horseradish root on top of it. It was very good!... very reminiscent 
of wasabi that I love to slather on sashimi

All the best,
Susan