For decades I–and a bunch of clever and astute physicians, headed by Theron Randolph MD of Chicago–were proclaiming that chemicals in our environment were making people sick. I floated the term “human canaries” to describe those who were showing us that it wasn’t safe for us and I’m pleased the say the term has stuck.
This was not just a case of extreme chemical sensitivity. Chemicals seemed to disturb the immune balance and led to allergies. The poisoning of detox pathways in the liver and mitochondria meant that the effect of these xenobiotic chemicals was made worse over time.
Some luckless individuals couldn’t cope and went down, savagely sick with almost everything they breathed or came into contact with and the press howled slogans like “allergic to the 20th century!” (we used the term universal reactors).
I’m pleased to say that, with one notable exception, the press and TV went with my stories. They were concerend, even sympathetic.
But my colleagies and I were blasted by the blow-hard dinosaurs in the profession, which considered it madness that there could be any health problems from general food allergy, never mind environmental chemicals. One particularly vicious gang was what is now called the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI); they attacked anything and everything that was a threat to their income stream, with lies, abuse, fake science and even criminal invasions.
How ironic then that these same types are having to eat crow and admit that we were right all along! Moreover, chemical overload has been shown conclusively to cause and aggravate food allergies. We knew that: we called it the “spreading” effect.
In fact they are nowtrying to take a posture that “we knew this all along”. It’s reminiscent of the usual four stages of truth:
- First, it is ridiculed
- Second, it is violently opposed
- Third, it is possible, but where is the proof?
- Fourth: we knew that all, along, it’s self-evident.
This comes about from a study showing that the widespread use of pesticides and chlorine in drinking water is associated with an increasing incidence of food allergies, according to a study published in the December 2012 issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, analyzed the records of a subset of participants aged 6 years old and older who had urinary metabolites of chlorinated phenols and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels measured as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.
In addition, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the use of pesticides during the previous 7 days.
In unadjusted analysis, the researchers found that the presence of 1 or more dichlorophenol metabolites in urine “was significantly associated with sensitization to food and environmental allergens. Food but not environmental allergen sensitivity was positively associated with the use of home pesticides and urban living.
Subsequent more extensive (multivariate analysis), after adjusting for age, sex, race, vitamin D levels, hay fever, asthma, urban or rural residence, and insecticide use, the researchers found a significant association between high levels of both dichlorophenol metabolites in urine and sensitization to food allergens (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 – 2.5; P = .003).
However, they found no significant associations between dichlorophenol exposure and environmental allergens or between the place of residence and sensitization to food or environmental allergens.
Further analysis showed associations between food allergen sensitization and male sex, low vitamin D levels, self-reported allergies, home use of insecticide, and non-Hispanic black ethnicity.
The study lead scientists concluded, “Previous studies have shown that both food allergies and environmental pollution are increasing in the United States. The results of our study suggest these two trends might be linked, and that increased use of pesticides and other chemicals is associated with a higher prevalence of food allergies.”
[SOURCE: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012:109;420-425. Abstract]
It is urgent time to expose this serious issue widely ! As a 35 year long sufferer of severe MCS I know this nightmare in all detail and it is awaiting all living creatures ! It is clearly a draconien stealth – depopulation tool and highly profitable for the mega-thugs
corporations who run this world . People , wake up !
Dr. Mumby–How right you are!!!Years ago-I worked for an Environmental Dr.(Dr. B was a board certified cardiologist)-who had been banned from the local hospital.They disapproved of his M.O.-ie:Food Allergies and Chemical Sensitivities. I went to H.E.A.L. meetings,and actually sat at the same table as Dr. Randolph.I even checked his plate to see what he ate.Was I impressed with this doctor-to the point where I applied to work for him(I am a med.tech.)Unfortunately-he wasn’t hiring–but I do have his autograph:))The reason I buy your books and admire your work because IMHO-you are in the same league as Dr. Randolph-Keep up the good work.-Jo Later
Incredible flattery Jo,
Ted was a remarkable man.
I cherish the fact that he voted my “Food Allergy Plan” (now DIET WISE) as the “best book of its kind in the world” (his words).
He is much missed but, of course, Bill Rea now carries his mantle.
I was sent to a psychiatrist, because according to the doctor who was my physician at that time. Adults don’t have food allergies. He said this without explanation why I lost 42 LB in 3months..
Thanks to Dr. Rea an his program I regained the lost LB. and more.
Good old Bill Rea,
A great friend and exemplary physician of the new medicine!
Dr. Scott-Mumby,
You don’t mention GMO-plants/crops or GMO-food animals/fish in your article. And you surely know, as you live in the U.S., that our USFDA does not require labeling of GMO-ingredients in our food products. I believe that GMO food (mostly in packaged processed food) will certainly cause more “human canaries” to develop in great numbers within the next 5 to 10 years. Just another reason to eat whole foods and get one’s meat, poultry, eggs, raw dairy, and produce from one’s local/regional farmers (but only those farmers who use sustainable, traditional methods). I live in central Maryland and I have found a number of farmers in MD and nearby PA and VA who use methods that are sustainable and “organic” in nature. Anyone in the U.S. should visit http://www.localharvest.org and search for farms near them. There are other very helpful websites as well (e.g., http://www.eatwild.com). I have several of your books and e-books and have found them very informative, if not entertaining due to your “unique” writing style!