Article Written by Roy Nambudripad, MD July 1, 2014
Global Advances in Health and Medicine/Sage Journals

ABSTRACT

This case report illustrates the reduction of immunoglobulin E titers and clinical reactivity of peanut allergy in a patient, using Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET). The patient’s initial symptoms and immunoglobulin E result correlated with an oral challenge test that showed signs of anaphylaxis upon ingestion of a fragment of dry-roasted peanut. The symptoms subsided after the patient completed a program of treatments, which lasted approximately 18 months. Moreover, the immunoglobulin E titers decreased in two different types of immunoassays after a total of 18 months: HY*TEC enzyme immunoassay (Hycor Biomedical Inc, Garden Grove, California) and ImmunoCAP system (Phadia, Uppsala, Sweden). A repeat oral challenge test was per- formed with peanut concentrate solution (1:20 weight/volume extract by Greer Laboratories, Inc, Lenoir, North Carolina), and the patient exhibited no reaction after ingesting up to 1 gram of peanut protein gradually over a 3-hour period. This report could support further investigation into the possibility of successful desensitization toward food allergies using NAET.

INTRODUCTION

Peanut allergy and anaphylaxis have been increasing in prevalence, in recent years, warranting attention and research due to their potential risk of anaphylaxis and death, particularly in children.1 Immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated peanut allergy is generally a lifelong condition with minimal treatment options available at the present time. Skin prick tests, serum IgE levels, and patient history are the typical data that are used to diagnose allergy, while the oral challenge test is confirmatory.

Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques (NAET), developed in 1983, is an unconventional treat- ment for food allergies that combines aspects of traditional Chinese medicine with nutritional and chiropractic principles. The technique is noninvasive, as acupuncture points may be stimulated by pressure alone.

Patients who undergo NAET receive a protocol set of treatments consisting of firm, rapid pressure stimu- lation that is applied to the “Hua To JiaJi” points from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as well as desig- nated points down the spine and along the paraspinal muscles which help stimulate the intercostal nerves. The patient then receives standard acupuncture or acupressure along the front of the body on Large Intestine, Large Intestine, and Liver points from TCM. At times, the practitioner may decide to use additional acupuncture points such as spleen and heart points. The entire procedure is performed while the patient holds a homeopathically prepared vial of an allergen, such as peanut.

Similarly, patients who suffer from anaphylaxis also receive treatment while holding real food samples that are sealed in glass jars. Patients with a history of severe allergies are required to undergo a basic protocol of treatment using the homeopathic vials, however, before advancing to the step using real food samples in glass jars.

Although acupuncture alone has been studied and shown to be highly effective in allergic conditions, NAET has yet to be fully researched. The efficacy of NAET in treating allergic conditions, however, has been preliminarily investigated through a randomized, controlled trial of 60 subjects diagnosed with allergy- induced autism. The results indicated that 77% of the experimental group were able to attend regular school after completing a program of NAET treatments for 1 year, whereas none of the subjects in the control group improved during the same time period. An allergy symptom survey also showed significant improvement in subjective symptoms for the experimental group in contrast with the controls.

In addition to this study, a small and non-controlled trial of six subjects with peanut anaphylaxis showed that NAET was able to relieve allergy symp- toms significantly in 67% of the patients, although no significant change was seen in serum IgE levels. However, the subjects treated with NAET did not show a change in serum tryptase levels although they were exposed to peanut. Normally, serum tryptase would elevate with a severe allergic reaction.

The only other published report details the case of a child with eczema from food allergies that may have been cleared after receiving NAET. Thus NAET has yet to be accepted conventionally due to paucity of research studies, although the mechanism of acupunc- ture has been well-studied in the literature and even accepted by the standard medical community.

This report describes the first case of a patient with documented peanut allergy experiencing alleviation of symptoms of anaphylaxis as well as reduction in serum IgE levels after NAET treatments. The results of oral challenge tests during the initial phases and after NAET treatments also support these findings.

PRESENTING CONCERNS

A 19-year old woman presented to our clinic for symptoms, upon multiple occasions of peanut expo- sure, which included tongue swelling, bronchospasm, erythema, and edema at points of contact. She had been able to manage each of these episodes with 50mg of oral diphenhydramine. Her problems began in pre-school, when she was served celery with peanut butter and immediately developed hives. The symptoms worsened as she became older.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

In addition to peanuts, the patient also had similar anaphylactic reactions to walnuts. With other nuts, she would get skin irritation around her mouth but not anaphylaxis. Past medical history also includes anaphylaxis to shrimp ingestion, childhood asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.

She also had an extensive family history of eczema, allergies, and asthma. Her physical examination was remarkable for erythema and eczema on the limbs and neck. Lab work done on December 12, 2011, showed positivity for immunoglobulin E to peanut.

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Article Written by Roy Nambudripad, MD July 1, 2014
Global Advances in Health and Medicine/Sage Journals