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Rohini Rao wrote her Senior Princeton Thesis for Graduation in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program April 28, 2008. Please see attached Thesis

HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis of the thesis is that patient's infected in the GI tract with the pathogenic fungus; Candida albicans are predisposed to the "leaky gut syndrome" and hypersensitivity to a distinct array of food allergens.

METHODS Data was collected from patient test reports generated at Immunolabs over an 8.5 month period from June 1st 2007 to February 19th 2008. Data analysis was performed to compare distinct food allergies elicited in an experimental group of patients testing positive to Candida albicans (Leaky Gut Candida positive) (LGC +; n1=1100) compared to the control group of patients testing negative to Candida albicans (Leaky Gut Candida negative (LGC-; n2=1390) (Immunolabs, Inc.). For each group, allergic responses to a panel of foods (Immuno Bloodprint IgG-115 Standard assay panel) were recorded. Reactivity was measured by a positive test response (+1, +2, +3, +4) to a given food on the IgG-115 food panel.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A leaky gut caused by overgrowth of the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans leads to an increased hypersensitivity in the Candida albicans positive group to specific foods: sugar cane, alfalfa, Baker's yeast, Brewer's yeast, and chili pepper compared to the Candida albicans negative group. Avoidance of these foods as detailed in the Immunolabs rotation and elimination diet plan would bring about improvement in symptoms and well-bein