Bloating, IBS, tiredness, migraine, painful joints – sound familiar? If so, you could be suffering from food intolerance and with National Allergy Week (10th-15th May 2010) just round the corner what better time to identify and eliminate those problem foods.
Did you know that research collated by YorkTest Laboratories suggests that:
• 12 million people are living with a food intolerance, which equates to 45% of the UK population.
• Researchers have shown that subtle delayed reactions to the foods that we eat can have a direct affect on levels of inflammation within the body.
• It is estimated that people spend on average up to £350 on wasted remedies and pills trying to relieve the symptoms before they discover the cause.
• A survey of 441 YorkTest customers revealed that 70% had lived with their symptoms for three years or more before starting the elimination diet identified by YorkTest’s food intolerance service.
TV doctor, Dr Hilary Jones said:
“For years the orthodox medical profession has neglected the role of food intolerance in ill health, this includes a range of symptoms including eczema, IBS, bloating, fatigue, migraine and many others. Science has now moved on and laboratory tests such as those provided by YorkTest Laboratories can help identify foods to which people may be sensitive.”
FOOD INTOLERANCE OR FOOD ALLERGY – CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?
Food intolerance:
Food intolerance is a delayed response to certain foods and can be IgG antibody-mediated. It is not usually life threatening although it can make the sufferer feel very unwell. It can be a debilitating condition that affects long term health and quality of life with symptoms such as IBS, bloating, tiredness, migraines and digestive complaints.
They have shown that antibodies raised to the foods that we eat can also act directly against organs in the body causing symptoms of inflammation – which may lead to health problems such as migraines, IBS, bloating, arthritis, etc.
Food intolerance is not to be confused with a full-blown allergy to a food, which will provoke a strong immediate reaction, and is commonly caused by foods such as nuts and shellfish.
Food allergy:
A food allergy is IgE antibody-mediated and is an inappropriate and harmful response of the immune system as it mistakes perfectly normal substances and treats them as invaders. Allergic symptoms can range from relatively minor rashes through to generalised swelling or collapse as a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock occurs. An allergic reaction can occur quite rapidly, often within minutes but generally within a maximum of two hours.
IDENTIFYING FOOD INTOLERANCE
It is very difficult to identify the food or foods that contribute to the problem of food intolerance as symptoms can appear up to 48 hours after the food is eaten. Measurement of food-specific IgG antibodies is used as a strategy to identify foods to which an individual may be sensitive. Validated tests, such as the YorkTest are not diagnostic of any condition, but are used by those with chronic conditions, and with Nutritionist support, as an ‘aid to management’ of dietary intake.
Sufferers often react to more than one food, which means it can be a timely process identifying which foods are causing the problems. Combating food intolerance is about identifying the foods that are making you ill and subsequently eliminating them from your diet. Currently the NHS advocates an arduous process in treating food intolerance involving an elimination diet and food diary which often proves an ineffective and lengthy process.
The YorkTest food intolerance test is a simple finger-prick home-to-lab service that identifies the trigger foods responsible for food intolerances and is the only food intolerance testing service to be endorsed by Allergy UK.
A SIMPLE SOLUTION
The YorkTest is a simple finger-prick home-to-lab service, which offers a simple solution to identifying up to 113 problem ‘trigger foods’. As part of the service, the YorkTest also includes two telephone consultations with a registered nutritionist from the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy who will offer specific individual advice and help on how to incorporate the recommended diet changes. A 12 week food diary with diet tips will also be provided to help sufferers keep track of the changes they are making to their diet.
The YorkTest food intolerance testing service is available as a two stage process. The First Step is currently available at the special price of £9.99 (RRP: £20.00). Following the First Step, if your result is positive you can then upgrade to the comprehensive laboratory analysis and aftercare for £245.
Available from www.yorktest.com or by calling 0800 074 6185.
