Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment [Paperback]

Jonathan Brostoff M.D. (Author), Linda Gamlin (Author), Jonathan Brostoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

 •  A leading international authority on food allergy and intolerance provides invaluable advice for achieving dramatic and long-lasting improvements in your health. 

•  Explains how sensitivity to foods is responsible for many chronic and misdiagnosed ailments such as migraines, sinus problems, and persistent fatigue. 

•  Includes a step-by-step process for identifying food allergies and intolerances and reshaping your diet for better health.

Many people suffer from chronic, unexplained health problems--migraine headaches, poor digestion, recurring sinus symptoms, aching muscles and joints, persistent fatigue--whose causes remain elusive, even to doctors. When conventional tests fail to provide a clear-cut diagnosis, doctors often suggest that these symptoms are due to stress or anxiety, but now Jonathan Brostoff and Linda Gamlin demonstrate that quite often food allergies and food intolerance are the true culprits in these situations.

The authors provide clear explanations of the causes of, as well as the differences between, food allergies and food intolerance and offer numerous case studies on problems all too familiar to many readers. More important, they provide much-needed solutions and treatments for these problems. Along with a wealth of illustrations and charts, Food Allergies and Food Intolerance includes an invaluable step-by-step process for diagnosing food intolerance with a three-stage elimination diet and a system of gradual food reintroduction. A must for anyone who suspects a chronic condition may be linked to dietary sensitivity, Food Allergies and Food Intolerance supplies information that often results in dramatic and long-lasting improvement in people's health and in their lives. 

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This third edition updates a work originally published in 1989 as The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance. Brostoff, a recognized authority on food allergy and author of numerous research studies, and Gamlin, a biochemist and journalist, clarify the difference between allergy and intolerance, explaining the immunological processes underlying hypersensitivity. Drawing on recent research, they identify common allergens and common treatment options. The authors also present a very detailed elimination diet and reintroduction schedule, their recommended method of diagnosing food intolerances. The text is detailed and thorough in the topics covered but lacks a satisfactory examination of alternative and/or complementary practices (many of which are excellent resources for allergy sufferers). Recommended for public and consumer health collections.
-Andy Wickens, King Cty. Lib. Sys., Seattle
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Explains comprehensively, elegantly, and simply how certain foods can cause problems for some people and how identifying and eliminating the culprit(s) can transform their lives . . . should be compulsory reading."
(New Scientist )

"Detailed and thorough."
(Library Journal, May 1, 2000 )

"This book is a must for any clinical nutritionist or consumer interested in the subject of food allergies."
(New Living, September 2000 )

"They provide clear explanations of the causes of, and differences between, food allergy and food intolerance, and offer numerous case studies."

(Kerri Hikida, Whole Life Times, November 2000 )

"The authors give a very informative, detailed explanation of how food allergies occur, and the allergic process itself."
(Rochelle Caviness, Large Print Reviews )

"If you have a chronic, undiagnosed health problem, this book may have an explanation for your complaints"
(Rochelle Caviness, Large Print Reviews, July 2004 )

"What makes this one of the best books of its kind that I have ever read (and I've read many books on food and health) is the wealth of information presented, the crystal clear writing, and the frank expression of the controversy surrounding how foods might cause disease." (
Dennis Littrell, reviewer )

"It is nearly twenty years since the first edition of this book was published--and, like good wine, it has just grown in depth and complexity over the years. It really does remain the most complete guide to the subject. What is so impressive about Professor Brostoff and Linda Gamlin is how they combine an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject with total accessibility."  (
Food Matter Magazine, Aug 2008 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892818751
• ISBN-13: 978-0892818754
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Allergies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

205 of 207 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instructional tool for those who suspects food allergies!, June 3, 2000

By 

Lisa A O'Laughlin (Dayton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment (Paperback)

An invaluable reference source that gives a comprehensive discussion of the difference between true food allergies and food intolerance. You will find numerous case histories which help thoroughly explain the ill effects food can have on people. This book explores both sides of controversial issues concerning the symptoms caused by food intolerance, and with scientific data supports the idea that many diseases are related to the ill effects of food. There is an in-depth discussion of Rheumatoid Arthritis, IBS, Migraine headaches, and the use of diagnostic testing. A complete overview of "Bugs in the System" will enlighten all who suspect they suffer from an overpopulation of yeast or unsuitable bacteria in the gut. It will help you uncover food allergies and food intolerances through an explicit step by step elimination diet. The authors have dedicated a complete chapter to explain exactly how to use their three-stage approach to uncover the foods that may be making you feel ill! Stage one of the plan is one month of eating healthy by eliminating foods and drinks that have a drug-like action on the body, such as coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, cocoa, alcohol, sugar, histamine-rich foods and food additives. Stage two is an elimination diet that excludes the most common allergens and Stage three is much more restictive and is designed to help those sensitive to many foods. The authors suggest that your physician performs an examination to rule out any servious medical problems prior to trying this elimination diet. This book is a must for anyone who suffers from chronic, unexplained health problems. It is the most complete source I have read yet concerning the ill effects of food!

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid information, very thorough treatment of the subject, great buy, September 10, 2005

By 

Sasha (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment (Paperback)

This is the best and most complete consumer book about food intolerances and allergies available. A complete rundown of topics can be found in the table of contents and index so I won't cover that here. Here are some of the things I appreciate most about this book:

* Nonsensational.
* Cites research studies, along with comments on strengths and weaknesses of each study.
* Gives lots of case studies - you're sure to find a case study that resembles your own experience.

Brostoff provides all of the details needed to complete a thorough elimination diet. He tells you what to expect, how you might feel, and what to do next according to how you feel.

It's a great book! It has a lot of information and is presented in a very readable style. The information is sensibly organized, so it is easy to choose what chapters to read and what to skip for later reading.

I've used it to identify and treat my food intolerances, and I highly recommend this book. It's hard to believe one can get this much quality information for less than $15!

52 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thorough and clear writing on an important subject, August 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment (Paperback)

For anyone with difficult, or unexplained illness, this is the book for you. Explains the known correlations between food sensitivity, allergy, and illnesses. This should be of particular interest to those with immune system, or digestive related problems. Highly recommended.