Abstract
The study examines the times of onset of reactions to 1263 food challenge meals in 32 patients in an environmental unit, after unmasking with a five-day therapeutic fast. Time of onset varied from immediate to more than 24 h, with variation both between and within individuals: onset cumulatively plotted against time from food challenge for individual patients showed four patterns, ranging from I (most within 20 min) to IV (few within 1 h). The onset timing was not related to the severity of the reaction. Most reactions started within 4 h of challenge, but 27% to meat and 18% to grains started later. Grains caused the most symptoms and pulse changes. Within the regime used, ‘drinks’ (three out of four containing caffeine) did not provoke more or earlier pulse reactions than other food, but provoked more early symptoms. Significant symptoms were provoked by 70% of challenges provoking pulse changes.