A couple of months ago Dr Claudia Miller at the University of Texas commented on my blog about oat and corn sensitivity with some information about the work that her group, TILT, does with those who develop multi-system sensitivities, including food sensitivities, after being exposed to a major pollution event.
The TILT programme – and especially the tool they have developed to assess whether or not you might be suffering from TILT – seemed so relevant to many of our site visitors that I am reproducing her comment here with links to the TILT site.
Hi Michelle – Informative blog on gluten!
I am a researcher and physician at the University of Texas. I am best known for my work on Toxicant-induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT).
Following a major exposure event, like pesticide extermination, solvents, or indoor air contaminants (due to new construction or remodeling), some individuals develop multi-system symptoms and new onset intolerances for everyday chemicals, foods and drugs that never bothered them before and do not bother most people.
Food intolerances include corn, wheat, milk and eggs. You are one of the few writers to include many grains besides gluten – which is only the tip of the food intolerance iceberg.
The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) is a tool anyone can use to determine whether they meet the diagnostic criteria for TILT. What has been missed by most people looking into food intolerances is that these common chemical exposures can cause food intolerances.
Please see QEESI.org for information on the QEESI and our website at TILTResearch.org.
This information could help your readers deal with doctors, disability claims, and avoiding chemical exposures that are causing their food intolerances. I have seen many people who developed TILT become able to tolerate foods once they stop exterminating their homes, avoid strong cleaners, etc.
Some brief excerpts from the TILT website:
TILT-related symptoms may involve any and every organ system. Neurological symptoms such as memory problems, brain fog, and mood changes are common and often disabling. A particular initiating event (such as exposure to a sick building, Gulf War chemicals, or a pesticide) can result in intolerances that trigger multiple symptoms varying from person to person. Commonly-reported symptoms include:
- difficulties with attention, memory and mood
- gastrointestinal problems
- allergy-like symptoms
- migraines and headaches
- fatigue and muscle pain
Common Triggers:
Chemicals
Indoor air is the most common source of chemical exposures in many peoples lives. Moving to a new house or renovations to home or office often bring new furnishings, carpet, paint, synthetic fragrances, and pesticides.
Foods
Common foods often become triggers for people who are chemically intolerant. Examples include, corn, wheat, milk, eggs and commercial foods that may contain pesticides or other artificial ingredients.
Drugs
Various medications and medical devices also initiate and trigger TILT. Patients report that anesthetics, implants, antibiotics, chemotherapy and other medications cause them to become intolerant.
For more go to the TILT website.
Fascinating, thanks for sharing Michelle. There are quite a few in my groups who really feel a toxic event started their hypersensitivity off. I hadn’t really thought of it being like a new house/new furniture thing that sets it off, as we tend to think of pesticides, meds, a virus etc mostly, but that makes sense. I shall share.
Yes, really interesting. Apologies for having taken so long to do so – but hopefully helpful even if belated!!
Interesting and provokes wonder into whether these same influences could provide the epigenetic trigger for activation of coeliac disease in addition to intolerances.
I do already seek to minimize chemical exposures, elimination is of course simply impossible unless I would go and join a hunter-gatherer tribe. So I am part of the Personal Precautionary Principle described within the TILT FAQ.
Thanks for posting Michelle 🙂