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What is food intolerance?
Intolerance should not be mistaken for an allergy. Intolerance to certain or multiple foods is caused by an immune reaction within the gut which produces symptoms onset or a few days later. For example a headache in the afternoon could be a result of bread eaten at lunch or milk drunk one day could be the cause of joint pain two days later.
Intolerances can be pin pointed by a simple blood prick test which tests for over 150 foods. If a positive reaction is found, the foods are simply eliminated for a period of time and re introduced, symptom dependent. The time period of avoidance of foods is very individual ranging from one month to six months.
What are the symptoms of food intolerance?
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o Migraines, headaches, mood and behavioural changes |
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o Depression, anxiety and fatigue |
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o Skin irritations, eczema, acne or other skin rashes |
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o Joint pain, muscle weakness and aching |
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o Bloating, abdominal cramping, constipation |
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o Excessive wind, diarrhoea |
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o Weight control problems |
The severity of these symptoms is dependent on the individual and how strong their reaction to a particular food or foods is. An individual may have one or more of the above symptoms without relating it to their food.
What is the test?
The test is a simple pin prick which can be carried out at the clinic or at home. The test can be done in either the fasted or non fasted state. The results take 10 working days to be processed, on completion a list of all 200 foods is complied which will indicate any positive reactions. These reactions will be a on a scale between 1 and 4, with 4 being the strongest reaction. Dependent on the individual’s circumstances the appropriate approach will then be taken.
A food intolerance test is a well worth investment if you are struggling with any of the above symptoms and have yet to identify what the trigger is.
Please contact me for further information.
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