Effective biological therapies for autism,  Tuesday, 17 July 2007 In this book, Dr. William Shaw relates what he has learnt in his many years caring for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders. He does this in a style that makes sometimes complex subject matter easy for anyone to understand. This title confines the view that autism is purely a psychiatric disorder to the past by presenting masses of data from research and clinical practice regarding the biological causes behind the illness. Dr. Shaw has been instrumental in determining the role of intestinal yeast in illnesses that include autism and all the other environmental illnesses. As well as yeast the book also covers other environmental factors such as chemical exposure and intestinal bacteria and parasites and their importance in autism. Many readers have said this is the book that really opened their eyes and helped them get their child on the road to a brighter future.

Although aimed specifically at autism, the information in this book will be of great benefit to people suffering from other environmental illnesses. Indeed, Dr. Shaw's laboratory focuses on all the same conditions that we do here at The Environmental Illness Resource.

 A simple solution for allergies, asthma and lupus,  Tuesday, 17 July 2007 This really is a very interesting book. It is based on the author's (a medical doctor) unique explanation that dehydration is the underlying cause of many allergy cases. It may be hard to believe that simply drinking more pure water would drastically improve or even cure someone of allergies but the theory is backed up with extensive research references and the number of anecdotal reports from patients (including other medical professionals) is hard to ignore.

The author presents his theory in an easy to understand way whilst making sure to backup his claims with relevant research. Definitely a recommended read.

 Great for some...but not others,  Tuesday, 17 July 2007 This book is a bit of a strange one. On the one hand it is great for those who are avoiding things such as yeast, sugar, and dairy. This of course would include many environmental illness sufferers who may be following an anti-fungal diet or a dairy-free diet for example. The flipside is that many of the recipes contain nuts and shellfish which are obviously highly dangerous to people with classical IgE-mediated allergies to these foods.

It is telling that the author defines a food "allergy" as the experience of: "eating a food causes you distress, or if you discover any clear cause-and-effect symptoms that are relieved by avoidance of specific foods." Whilst this is not an accurate definition of a classical IgE allergy it is nevertheless a useful definition as far as environmental illness patients go. Many people find that symptoms develop slowly over a number of days after eating certain foods and are only able to uncover problem foods after using an elimination diet. These reactions are suspected of being caused by IgG-mediated reactions but this theory remains controversial.

In summary, this book is great for those who suspect the foods listed on the cover may be causing non-specific reactions and ill-health but those who suffer from immediate allergies to nuts and seafood should stay away and choose one of the much more suitable titles available.

 Excellent review of nutrition and allergies,  Tuesday, 17 July 2007 The author has had 25 years experience as a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathy treating allergic diseases. In this recently updated edition of her book she looks closely at the role that nutrition plays in allergic conditions. She challenges the old medical dogma regarding allergies and draws upon growing research demonstrating that nutrition that has a negative effect on the acid-alkaline (pH) balance of the body leads to increased incidences of allergic disease whilst positive nutritional habits such as eating "good" fats can help to treat them.

A great book for anyone suffering from allergies who has found little help in conventional allergy treatment.

 Invaluable guide for those plagued by allergies at,  Tuesday, 17 July 2007 This was one of the first books I read on allergies in the home and it remains one of my favourites. The author explores the whole range of allergens that can cause people problems at home, from dust and pet dander, to mold and bacteria. The author also discusses which of these allergens are likely to be a problem in each room in the house. The book is written in a very straightforward style with easy to follow instructions and this is backed up with useful illustrations.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who suffers, or whose family suffers, from allergies at home and needs an easy to read yet comprehensive guide to reducing troublesome allergens.

 An excellent introduction to food allergy and into,  Monday, 16 July 2007 This is a great book for anyone who suspects certain foods may be triggering symptoms and causing ill-health. The authors are well qualified to explain the issues surrounding food allergy and intolerance, including the difference between the two, which confuses many people. The book is very well researched and provides important information regarding detecting problem foods and solving the problem through use of an elimination diet, the treatment of choice.

 A good product for allergy and MCS sufferers,  Tuesday, 08 May 2007 I have used this product for a number of years now, including when my chemical sensitivities were at their worst and I had to wear a carbon filter mask whenever I was out and about.

There is no fragrance in this product whatsoever, which is always reassuring for MCS sufferers, and it never triggered any symptoms. I have just noticed that it actually lists formaldehyde in the ingredients list but this must be a very small amount and perhaps doesn't volatize in sufficient amounts to cause me any problems.

Although I do not suffer from skin problems myself, I have a number of friends who have eczema and have used this product with no problems at all.

As far as price goes, it is very reasonable, comparable with most regular dish washing liquids lining the supermarket shelves.

 A must for those with chemical sensitivities!,  Friday, 04 May 2007 I first developed chemical sensitivities after being ill with chronic fatigue syndrome for 8 years. It followed the usual pattern of progressing from a few specific things such as perfume and cigarette smoke, to practically every chemical product going. I couldn't use any of the usual household or personal care products and couldn't go outside or be near people without wearing a carbon filter mask.

After strictly avoiding exposure to chemicals for around 2 years I began to find I could once again tolerate certain things that had previously triggered symptoms. My reactions to triggers also became less severe. Almost as rapidly as my sensitivity to chemicals had developed it now disappeared. Although I cannot say 100% that chemical avoidance was the sole reason for this since I was experimenting with various other treatments, I feel that chemical avoidance was by far the largest contributor to my recovery.

I have only given 5/10 for ease of use due to the obvious difficulties that avoiding seemingly omnipresent chemicals presents, at least at first. It can be stressful and put a severe strain on relationships. From my personal experience however I would highly recommend this approach to any MCS sufferer as the effort pays off in the end.