I always used to advise people use the so-called Coca Pulse Test to help find foods they were sensitive to, but I’ve sort of got out of the habit since we have improved allergy and intolerance testing like the P88 and Cyrex tests now. You can see my video on the P88 here, too, if you like:
I was reminded about pulse testing from a short piece in the Townsend Newsletter this week. It takes a bit of time and dedication, but it can actually be really effective. The theory is that the heart rate goes up after you have consumed a food that gives you an immunological stress. That makes sense, especially as I’m convinced that inflammation rises after consuming an allergen – inflammation raises the heart rate.
I did do this myself years ago when I was at my wits end with what was causing my symptoms (headaches, bloating, IBS, skin rashes etc). I purchased a simple pulse monitor as I’m rubbish at finding my own pulse and did it as Dr Coca prescribed – on waking, after meals, sitting, standing etc. There was a definite problem. My own issue was that I was reacting to everything – this was about 20 years before I was diagnosed with MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) where your immune system mast cells are just trigger-happy. But, I think if you want to find a few allergens, it works well and I used to ask patients to do it frequently.
The test consists of taking the pulse before rising (while in the recumbent position); just before each meal and three times, at 30-minute intervals after each meal (sitting or standing); and before retiring (sitting or standing). The same posture should be used for each count. Coca recommends that people begin the test while following their usual diet for five to seven days: “If the highest count is the same each day, and if it is not over 84, you are most likely not allergic, and the range of your pulse from the lowest count (usually before rising) to the highest will be not more than 16 beats—probably much less.”
Arthur Coca MD, The Pulse Test
Counts over 84 beats/minute indicate “food allergy.” Also, variation in the maximal count of more than two beats from day to day (ie, Monday 72, Tuesday 78, Wednesday 76, etc.) indicate an allergic reaction—if no infection is present. If the initial pulse test indicates an allergen is present, Coca explains how to identify the offender(s) by taking a day or two to test suspect allergens singly—eating a single food in small quantities at hourly intervals and taking the pulse at 30-minute intervals.
Anyway, you can download Dr Coca’s paper about it – from 1956! – here for free and have a go yourself. Report back to me how you get on. If you can’t be bothered with the faff, try the Allergy tests instead, of course!