Food Allergen Elimination for Obesity Reduction; a Longitudinal, Case-Control Trial

F. Buck Willis^*1, Ram Shanmugam^*2, Janet H. Southerland^*3, Charles P. Mouton^*4

1. Galveston ClinicalResearch,Corresponding Author: 6341 Stewart Rd #115, Galveston TX 77551, USA

2. Texas State University, School of HealthAdministration, USA

3. University of Texas Medical Branch,Galveston, USA

^* Corresponding author: Galveston ClinicalResearch, 6341 Stewart Rd #115, Galveston TX 77551, USA, Tel: 1-409-632-7131

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to examine efficacy of separate and combined protocols for obesity reduction with sequential outcomes after one year. This was an experimental case vs control study, lasting 12 months, conducted from 2018 to 2020.Methods: Ninety-four obese subjects, ages 14-76 with Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30, enrolled in this multi-center study in Texas, USA. Treatments included food allergen identification/elimination (ALCAT, leukocyte reaction test which showed reactions to 237 foods) and/or a brief, aerobic-surge exercise (2-minute sessions, 5/day). Foods with significant reaction for each subject were eliminated from their diet for 12 months (mean 36 foods/subject).Subject categorization was as follows: Group 1 Combined Food Allergen Elimination and Aerobic-surge exercise (N=23); Group 2 Food Allergen Elimination alone (N=23); Group 3 Aerobic-surge exercise alone (N=18); Group 4 was the Control group who chose no treatments (N=30). The dependent variables included changes in weight, BMI, and waistcircumference.Results: There was a significant difference between groups and between therapeutic protocols (P < 0.0001). The greatest changes came from Group I, Combined (Mean changes: Weight -32.2lbs, BMI -4.6, and Waist -4.3 inches). Subjects who chose food allergen elimination alone, also showed a significant change in comparison to exercise-only and control subjects (P < 0.0001).Conclusion: Food allergen elimination was effective for obesity reduction in this 12- month study.

Keywords: Weight Loss, aerobic-surge, ALCAT testing