According to the latest Norwich Union Health of the Nation survey, 94% of GPs believe that their patients do not know the difference between a Food Allergy and a Food Intolerance.
Are they right?
Next time you see your GP, why not bring this up in the conversation, and see if he/she knows the difference!
A Food Allergy involves an immediate reaction by your immune system to the cuplrit food. As soon as it touches your skin, you may experience anything from itchiness to a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Note that you don't even have to eat the food - if you touch it, or rub your eyes after handling it, that may be enough to spark an allergic reaction.
A Food Intolerance is a set of symptoms which occur after eating a particular food, but which does not involve a reaction from your immune system. Typical symptoms include stomach bloating, fatigue and headaches. They may start an hour after eating the culprit food, or you may experience a delayed reaction 48 hours or more later as the food works its way through your digestive system.
Food Sensitivity is sometimes used as an umbrella term covering both conditions, though it is of little help since they require different tests and different approaches to treatment.
At the clinic we focus on food intolerances using biodermal screening as this gives immediate results and costs about a third as much as a blood test. Full details at www.nationalnutritionclinic.com/food-intolerance-zone.htm
January 23rd to 26th is National Food Allergy & Intolerance Week - I'm already lined up to do some radio interviews and will be making a series of posts to the blog during the week on the subject.
We often find that food intolerance is a major cause of irritable bowel syndrome, so even though intolerances are still not given much credence in traditional medicine, they are causing an awful lot of pain and discomfort to an awful lot of people. Yet, with a screening and some follow-up action, they can usually be overcome and the culprit foods re-introduced later.
Warm regards
Graham
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