Anaphylactic Food Allergy: The Role of Adjuvants and Injection

May 15, 2017





Can you tell us a bit about your background?



What did you specifically do in the lab?

In the research lab, my job title was Medical Research Technician and later Clinical Study Coordinator. As a Medical Research Technician, I conducted food allergy research on laboratory mice and performed lab analysis on the specimens that we later collected from the mice. The goal of this research was to study the process of allergen sensitization in the mouse model of human food allergy. Basically, we were trying to show how to create a food allergy in a mouse. Step one was to create the allergy and step two was to prove that we created it. As a Clinical Study Coordinator, I became more involved in the paperwork and grant-writing procedures, IRB approvals, etc. that go into running a research study through a university.

Can you outline the science behind making lab animals anaphylactic?

Well, the part of the research that I was involved in did not technically create anaphylaxis in mice. We were trying to establish (or in some cases duplicate a study) the ideal mouse model for studying food allergy, so that that mouse model could then go on to be manipulated to study different aspects of food allergy and anaphylaxis. For the two years that I was in the research lab, we were studying that “sensitization” piece. How do we make mice (and similarly, humans) become SENSITIZED to a food allergen? What we would do was expose groups of mice to different concentrations of an allergenic food extract (e.g., peanut, walnut, cashew, shrimp) at the same time as an adjuvant (something to stimulate an immune response in the mice—e.g., alum, aluminum hydroxide, pertussis toxin, cholera toxin). We would repeat this exposure several times over the course of a set time (e.g., six weeks) and then collect the blood of the animals for analysis. We were able to show that by exposing the animals to the food allergen at the same time as the adjuvants, we were effectively creating an IgE antibody response to food allergens in the mice. Further study down the road was to prove that the mice had truly become anaphylactic to the allergen (by challenging the food in a prior-sensitized mouse), but I was not involved in that research because I had moved on at that point. (There are studies that go on to show the mouse’s anaphylactic response; I just wasn’t involved in that personally.)


Can you also explain this in the simplest terms possible for those who feel intimidated by science?

In basic terms, we were able to create an allergy by “feeding” the mice a food allergen at the same time as a toxin (known as an adjuvant—a toxin chosen because of its ability to stimulate an immune response). We would repeat the process over several weeks and then analyze the mouse’s blood to show that we created the food-specific antibody necessary for anaphylaxis.


How is aluminum used in the lab? And what other medical products are aluminum present in?

We used both alum and aluminum hydroxide as adjuvants in these mouse model studies. When we “fed” the mouse the food allergen alongside the toxin, the mouse’s immune system would respond strongly to the toxin and simultaneously make antibodies to the food allergens. Some studies (both in our lab before I worked there and in other labs) have studied the same adjuvants but using intraperitoneal injection instead of oral gavage which is the method we used. Another medical product that can contain aluminum is a vaccine. Aluminum is used as the adjuvant in several childhood vaccines to increase the immune response to the vaccine’s pathogenic component. According to, “Aluminum is present in U.S. childhood vaccines that prevent hepatitis A, hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP, Tdap), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), human papillomavirus (HPV) and pneumococcus infection.”

Adjuvants | Vaccine Safety | CDC

Adjuvants are added to vaccines to strengthen the body’s immune response to the vaccine. Vaccines with adjuvants are tested and monitored for safety.


1) For those who say rats and humans are not similar:  “. . . shown remarkable consistency between murine and human samples.”

2)  For those who say their child did not develop food allergy from vaccination, or were never vaccinated: Oral sensitization is far less consistent and effective: “the model of oral sensitization without an adjuvant requires a long process of sensitization (six weeks) and, although it has been used in several studies [3336], success after oral sensitization was not always achieved in a high percentage of rats [37] and/or the sensitization does not always induce the synthesis of IgE antibodies.”

3) For those who say “But why doesn’t this happen to every child/person who receives vaccines/injections?”: “Although BN rats are high IgE responders, similar to atopic humans, experimental procedures in this rat strain to induce oral sensitization without adjuvant are time-consuming and are not always able to generate a reproducible and effective FA model [20,30,3739].”  so, even in high antibody responders, the adjuvant is what is really needed to kick the immune system into overdrive.

Quoted passages are from “Development and Characterization of an Effective Food Allergy Model in Brown Norway Rats.” ]

~ The Allergy Whisperer

The Allergy Whisperer is an allergy parent who understands the immune system a little too well and prays for the day that this epidemic ends.

For more about allergy, click here.

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35 Responses to Anaphylactic Food Allergy: The Role of Adjuvants and Injection

  1. None of your nosey business says:

    I was a healthy 30 year old woman prior to some vaccines prior to a Thailand trip that the Dr had recommended I was stupid not to question the ingredients in the vaccines before rolling up my sleeves. After I received the vax I started to have seizures and became anaphylactic to most foods dairy, soy, corn, wheat. I suffered from eczema, hives, gut issues, seizures and dangerous food allergies that made my throat swell up and gave me difficulty breathing. my partner received the same vaccines at the same time as I did he suffered the same consequences even though he was 100% healthy prior to that. I am living proof that you should not inject a child with these vaccines. I can understand how autism is prevalent in these kids

    • Allergy Whisperer says:

      Wow, what an incredible story. It’s much harder to hide the truth with adults, isn’t it? Are you in any FB groups concerning allergy? Your story needs to be told.

  2. Andrea Mercier says:

    Crazy that I am here again reading this. My co worker has diabetes and has an insulin pump. She just told me today that she has developed numerous allergies over the last 10 years that she has never had before. I am wondering about her genome, I also wonder about her body burden, and then how many inflammatory foods she is eating and what is going on.

    I also learned from another co-worker who has a disabling condition that there is a special diet for PCOS. I believe that all of the dietetians working with populations where our government is allowing all of these toxins into products and food need to become more aware of the inflammatory connections.

    There is a lot of inflammation …..oxidation of insulin receptor sites…….then you have allergies….and autoimmune conditions in the population…….

    I predict that the amount of special diets is going to rise due to the aluminum. I predict the needs for these populations is definately rising and we need monitoring of the adjuvants, additives, and chemicals in all products……

  3. Andrea Mercier says:

    There is a lot on here about Aluminum and I have noticed that it has an amplifying effect across the board. Professor Chris E. ?- not sure of the spelling is a genious for his work. I wonder if he has ever looked at Mag. Malate as a chelator and if it works to pull it out of those hard to reach places????

    • allergywhisperer says:

      Great question. Dr. Chris E. and also Dr. Chris Shaw. . .and of course the amazing Dr. Tomljenovic–I’ve thought a lot about whether pulling out the aluminum would actually accomplish anything–once the body has been educated and formed antibodies, I don’t know how you would reverse that?

      • Andrea Mercier says:

        How do we gauge where it is exactly without hurting ourselves to find out?

        Second, How do we prevent the aluminum from causing further antibody responses down the road?

  4. Andrea Mercier says:

    I also want to say that in terms of EMF we are eukaryotic organisms and a large portion of who we are is bacteria. The bacteria have mitochondria as well. Ever wonder why so many autistic children are short of bacteria…..I wonder if the EMF is contributing to the decline in bacteria in autistic children. The bacteria help us with mood, focus, digestion and more. I sometimes wonder if their by product helps to produce neurotransmitters. We really just need to clean up this technology fast. We have to do it for the environment and for ourselves. If we are radiating ourselves our we also radiating the planet and contributing to a warming. Is the electromagnetic field altering the responses we have evolved to have……We need to create safe towers, safe devices. Devices that can alter the output.

  5. Erin says:

    Interesting article. My son was able to eat peanut butter and peanut butter/honey nut Cheerios between 6-12 months w/ no problem. The DAY after his 1-year vaccines he had to be rushed to the ER for an allergic reaction to peanuts. We’ve always wondered if it was a coincidence or if something chemically changed in his body w/ the vaccines. Pediatrician, ER doc, and allergist doc weren’t willing to make the leap but the “what if” is always in the backs of our minds.

    • ProfessorTMR says:

      One year, huh? Do you remember which ones he had that day?

    • allergywhisperer says:

      I don’t think there’s any coincidence that your son suddenly developed anaphylaxis after his 1-year vaccines. Vaccines and allergy are twins on different sides of the same coin–have you read the Nobel prize speech by Dr. Charles Richet? He was the pioneer of vaccines and of anaphylaxis. He took delight in creating food anaphylaxis in animals alongside vaccinating them. I’m so sorry for what happened to your son. Sadly, I’ve heard many, many stories just like yours.

  6. Kelly Vardakas says:

    I have two more questions.

    I am nursing. Do you recommend continuing to eat the foods she is allergic to to desensitize her immune system, or avoid the foods she is allergic to (milk, eggs, soy, nuts) completely so her gut can heal? Her only symptom is mild eczema, she does not get hives from what I have been eating even though she is allergic. Just the itching.

    Also, do you recommend heavy metal testing to see what aluminum levels are? Is there a detox protocol you recommend for both of us, or do I have to wait until she is completely weaned? She is 10 months.

    • allergywhisperer says:

      These are really good questions, are you in any of the allergy groups in FB? It might be better to post these questions there, or to seek advice from a well-educated integrated health specialist. You might also need to look at things like histamine levels. While I understand the how, healing the how when it comes to allergy is very, very complex and challenging.

  7. Ruth says:

    Hi AllergyWhisperer, I blog as Ruth for TMR. I’m doing a research project you would be interested in and I’m looking for a collaborator with your expertise. could you email me so I can get you my proposal and you can decide if you want to work together?

  8. Andrea Mercier says:

    My son doesn’t have a severe phenol reaction but somewhat of a milder red ear reaction. I switched to a different species of peanut and controlled for inflammation and his ears did not turn red. I always just occasionally give the allergen anyway because he enjoys the peanuts and he wasn’t anaphylactic. I wonder if his body will ever learn to adapt to them or has learned to respond appropriately. I am seeing less red ears. I do use a lot of supplementation to help his body re-learn.

    • allergywhisperer says:

      I suppose if your son was never anaphylactic and you are doing this under the guidance of a health professional it sounds like it is working? The challenge with your story for those of us with anaphylactic children is that people expect us to be doing the same with our anaphylactic kiddos. I believe the jury is still out on oral immunotherapy (which is what you are describing). If something is poison to the body because it has antibodies in the blood, than are we just teaching the body to accept poison? Sometimes people end up with mast cell disorders through oral immunotherapy (think of those cells in the digestive track getting inflamed because of that “poison” entering the body). Interesting comment though, thank you.

      • Lisa says:

        Soooo do allergy shots usually contain aluminum? Just switched back from drops to shots and my immune system has been out to lunch a little. I had assumed it was due to testing, which requires no antihistamines for at least a week prior, the more dilute serum they require I start at until I work my way up in shot strength, now I wonder what’s actually in the mixture!! Can’t win for losing.

      • Andrea Mercier says:

        I have been noticing more medicines with aluminum dies. I have recently learned about MCAS. Mast cell activation syndrome and ASIA syndrome. The problem with Mast cell activation syndrome and those with allergies is that there is a severity and what histimine receptors are targeted……and what the actual response is. This condition is complicated. I believe that sometimes my sons response to an allergen is to have a seizure instead of an anaphylactic reaction. I was concerned about flax seeds because he would have a seizure. I was hesitant to try the oil flax oil. Finally tried a little flax oil in a supplement and it was ok. Then gave flax seed on occasion. The problem is he has a lot of little allergies so I cannot give to many allergens at once because I fear it will overload the response. There are supplements that help with inability to break down certain foods but it seems before you can give the foods or the supplements you have to control the inflammatory response in these individuals because it is hyper-reactive. So I see where it gets complicated with anaphylactic reactions and they would have to be under medical supervision to just try something. Obviously eliminating as much of the items contributing to amplified states of inflammation is necessary- adjuvant elimination, gut healing, emf protection, membrane repair. I feel as thought the histamine response is also a biogenic amine intolerance and that fermented foods should be really kept in check because of the often higher counts of “amine” groups in amine intolerant individuals. My son vomits from too many amines. His histamine responses are different. EMF is a huge contributing factor to mitochondrial functioning, and this is the foundation for many functions within our bodies. The over vaccinated children, the toxins all around us are an additive source of the diseases we are seeing within them. We need to control the EMF exposure to allow the mitochondria to produce cells, communicate, and more. Without mitochondria we lose a lot more than I can explain in this reply. All of this exposure is occurring during development. Vaccines adjuvants, and toxins amplify the effects and weaken us but I believe EMF to be a lot bigger than we are giving it credit. With 5G rolling out and with the addition of smart meters, the addition of countless towers, and the increase use of smart phones, tabless, and wireless we are radiating ourselves which is not allowing our bodies to heal at the quantum-ionic level which is the foundation level. If we don’t clean up this technology and we keep getting stronger and stronger radiation we are going to see the rise of chronic disease at a level we shouldn’t experience at all. How much is it worth your time to protect yourself and your loved ones from this horrendous truth. There are pockets- places where the insects are just being decimated by this and I live in one of those pockets. I want it to stop but it is not acknowledged

  9. Kelly Vardakas says:

    My 10 month old, unvaccinated daughter has allergies to eggs, nuts, milk, and soy. I had to go on Zoloft at 12 weeks in my pregnancy for moderate to severe depression and panic attacks. The doctors tell me there is no correlation, but my food allergies developed after going on Zoloft many years ago. Can there be a correlation?

    • allergywhisperer says:

      Did you watch the clip from Age of Aluminum? I wonder if there is aluminum in zoloft; I would also wonder if your gut was altered from zoloft–anything that ramps up your immune system whilst causing a leaky gut (think of those food proteins getting into the blood stream and the body creating antibodies to something that shouldn’t be there) can play a part. Very interesting about Zoloft! Nothing would surprise me at this point. Maybe you could find out if there is aluminum in that med and follow up with us? Thank you for the interesting comment.

  10. Meredith says:

    So, the food proteins that are in childhood vaccines (egg protein, msg, bovine serum albumin, casein, etc.) along with the aluminum adjuvant could potentially be the cause for the food allergy epidemic in this country? I feel like that is what the article is implying without actually stating it.

    • ProfessorTMR says:

      Bingo. There is no question that the aluminum adjuvant in combination with food proteins in the vaccines IS causing allergies; the question is simply how many of them?

      • Meredith says:

        This was briefly mentioned in The Truth About Vaccines Docu-series that recently aired. I don’t understand why food proteins need to be in vaccines at all. It’s very troubling as a mother to a son with multiple food allergies. If this is the case, it simply cannot continue.

      • ProfessorTMR says:

        The reason they appear in the vaccines is because all the vaccine antigens, viruses or bacteria, must be grown in tissue cultures. These cultures have to come from some kind of animal cell. Back when the polio vaccine was first invented, monkey kidneys were used. The culture media used today vary widely and include cells from cows, chickens, soybeans, and human fetuses. The cells in the culture medium cannot be completely filtered from the resulting vaccine. We might consider them “contaminants,” but the companies consider them “expected.” In addition, vaccines do not require “inactive” ingredients that are generally recognized as safe (“GRAS”) to be disclosed. These ingredients COULD conceivably be vegetable oils that used as “stabilizers.” Those oils also cannot be purified to remove ALL proteins either.

    • allergywhisperer says:

      Also, when asked, the pharma companies said that they don’t really test too much for food proteins in the batches–so another reason why some children might be sensitized and not others is this irregularity. Imagine a pot of chicken noodle soup and it being spooned into bowls–who gets the noodles? Root problem is still the lack of liability, if you review the literature you can see pre1986 that they really took the possibility of sensitisation seriously. Now it’s just win-win: lifelong medical consumers of epi-pen and other products like peanut patches, all because of a product with no liability. How clever!

      • Andrea Mercier says:

        allergy whisperer –This lack of quality control batches is awful because it makes it look like its a hysteria issue to the older generation of individuals –that did not have as many vaccines as their grandchildren. Some actually believe the parents are just being too overbearing, and coddling kids. Then when you have different kids with different problems it further confuses the mess and people cannot see the connections or the crisis. It is a human tragedy.

    • Catherine Stanley says:

      The aluminum adjuvants in vaccines stimulate an immune response to gain immunity against the diseases in the vaccines, so I guess if egg protein, casein, msg, etc. go along with the aluminum the immune system could associate the protein with the aluminum and create an immune response.

    • Marie says:

      This is a very convincing theory. My son has a milk allergy and I wouldn’t doubt it has something to do with the casein in some of the vaccinations he had. But if vaccines don’t contain any peanut protein, why so many peanut allergies?

      • ProfessorTMR says:

        Three possibilities: 1) They DO contain peanut oil as a “proprietary” GRAS ingredient. It’s not clear whether it would HAVE to be disclosed if it were not intended as an adjuvant. It’s also possible that it is a “contaminant” from the manufacturing process that is not intended to be in the final product, but is not eliminated entirely, like the proteins in the growth media. 2) Molecular mimicry: Some antigen (most likely in the Hib vaccine) “looks like” peanut protein, so when peanut is encountered the same antibodies are triggered. 3) The adjuvants make all kids more susceptible to allergy in general, and peanut protein is more allergenic than most. More susceptible kids = more allergy.

  11. Kim says:

    Excellent explanation. Humans can become sensitized to whatever protein they ingest or inhale in proximity to receiving injected adjuvants. There’s nothing inherently evil about peanuts or any of the other top 7 U.S. allergens. They are just commonly eaten foods. It only makes sense that the top allergens differ by country. The formula: protein+injected adjuvant+repeated exposure over time=allergy.

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