Impressed by the comprehensive nature of the analysis...
Dear Julie,
I was delighted to receive my results from Imupro recently. I was very impressed by the comprehensive nature of the analysis. As a practicing G.P. ordering pathology tests all the time, one expects a brief set of figures with very little in the way of discussion. This is not the case however with Imupro.
The food intolerance chart is incredibly detailed, covering some 270 separate items. Reading it is not a daunting task, in fact it is very “user friendly”. The format is set out in an easy to read style. The food items are subdivided into related groups. The severity of the reaction is colour-coded enabling one to skip sections and home in on the significant items. This style enables the patient to grasp quickly the fundamental points during the consultation thereby making the limited time more productive.
Equally as impressive are the follow-through booklets which accompany the results. One booklet is devoted entirely to a discussion of each of the food items tested, where they originate and more particularly, where they could be hidden. This section appears written for the novice (like me) and broadens one’s understanding of the nature of the food we all consume.
To cap it all off, Imupro produce a booklet which then summarises the results and devises a diet plan specifically for the patient. This tailor-made plan excludes all of the offending food items identified and proposed a rotation diet for those foods deemed harmless. This is of tremendous benefit for both patient and G.P. alike. It may not suit everyone, but it provides a template which can be expanded and modified.
The basis of the test is the identification of a cross-reacting IgG antibody to a particular food item. It is thought that particular food proteins are able to cross the luminal barrier of the gut unaltered. Once in the wall of the gut the proteins initiate an immune response. This tends to be IgG-mediated and not IgE-mediated. That is, the reaction is food intolerance and not food allergy. Imupro is keen to emphasise this point. The test is not intended to determine food allergies which sometimes can be life-threatening with an anaphylactoid response.
Imupro’s test identifies a second mechanism, IgG-mediated reactions which cause a myriad of symptoms in patients and which are familiar to most practising G.P.’s. These include gastro-intestinal symptoms, bloating, dyspepsia, skin reactions, chronic urticaria, mood disorders, etc. Generally these disorders are treated symptomatically and tend to be recalcitrant. Imupro however are able to offer a comprehensive diagnosis of the underlying cause for these sometimes vague and ill-defined symptoms. In addition, Imupro tailor-make a solution for each individual patient.
I consider Imupro’s test for food intolerance to be boon for general practice. It is easy to perform with a very respectable turn-around time. The yield from the test can be great with patient satisfaction being immeasurable. It is time and cost-effective and I imagine that most G.P.’s will be willing to include this diagnostic test in their armamentarium.
Yours Faithfully
Dr N. J. Baker - Redcliffs, VIC
