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FOOD INTOLERANCE

What is a food intolerance?

1% of the population has a severe food allergy, however, 60% of us have a food sensitivity, (or intolerance) we may not be aware of. If we eat something that we are allergic to, an immediate and severe reaction usually occurs. However, if we eat something we are intolerant to, the symptoms may not appear until several days or even weeks later and so we may not associate them with a food we have eaten.

Food intolerances have a “delayed and progressive effect on our health” (medical weight loss journal, 1996)

In the same way we cannot all wear the same hairstyle, or colour of clothes because we suit different things, we cannot all eat the same foods and expect them to agree with us. Literally, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison”.

An apple may seem a healthy natural food, but if it is not suitable for your body, every time you eat that apple, it will be like eating a small dose of poison. That poison accumulates in our systems and over the years, can cause many ill effects. But because this happens slowly and gradually, we do not realise the food we are eating has caused it. Sometimes, the very food you crave, may be the very one which disagrees with you – and the food you are eating may be making you ill.

Could I have a food intolerance?

They are relatively common in over 60% of the population. If you have:

· Difficulty losing or gaining weight
· Cellulite
· Food Cravings
· Low motivation
· Constipation or diarrhoea
· Bloating / wind
· Fluid Retention
· IBS
· Chronic Fatigue / Tired all the Time (TATT)
· Skin Disorders

You may have a hidden food intolerance.

Why do food intolerances occur?

Many reasons…we eat foods that are not in season, which is not natural for our bodies. We repeatedly eat the same type of foods (for example a diet of toast in the morning, sandwiches at lunch time, pasta in the evening means we are eating wheat three times in one day) There have been many genetically modified foods in our diet for some time, and the food chain has been exposed to much greater environmental pollution, chemicals, additives, hormones etc. The increased use of antibiotics to treat infections means our intestinal bacteria are often compromised, and it is more difficult for us to digest the foods we eat. The nutritional value in food has decreased and the amount we eat has increased…many people are under stress which throws our systems out of balance even further and the body cannot cope. All of this compromises our immune system and also predisposes us to food sensitivities.

How do I find out which foods I am intolerant to?

There are several ways to find out (hair analysis, finger probes that test impedance, computerised analysis, patch testing etc.) These vary very much in price and accuracy. Results are often confusing. The same person having two tests on the same day – may receive different results. This type of test is widely available to the general public at various outlets (usually health shops or people who are also in business to sell vitamins and nutritional supplements at a profit)
However, if your doctor wanted to test you for something, would he analyse your hair? Or put a probe on your finger? No, he would probably take a sample of blood to find out what is actually happening in your body.

The most accurate blood test currently available is the ALCAT BLOOD TEST. This is:

Backed up by years of research.

Used worldwide by doctors and consultants and is only available through accredited health care professionals and hospitals.

Clinically and medically proven over 17 years

Highly accurate because a sample of your blood is taken and has to be received in the ALCAT laboratory within hours. There, your blood is placed in individual test tubes containing 100 common foods. Each sample is then rigorously tested and analysed by a specialist technician under a microscope to see how your blood reacts with each food.

The beauty of the ALCAT TEST is that mimics what actually happens in the body when you are exposed to a food.

You will not be tested for foods you do not eat! (so if you are vegetarian or vegan, your blood will not be tested for meat- unlike some other types of test)

Within a week, your results are back, and you receive:

Personalised information and advice, a guidance booklet, allergy aware recipes, and nutritional consultation.

ALCAT is a totally independent specialised blood testing laboratory (ie. ALCAT gains nothing by guiding you towards nutritional products because it does not supply any)

This test is not routinely available on the NHS.

By eliminating the foods that disagree with you, (without necessarily eating any less) excess weight will be lost, weight then stabilises, symptoms and cravings disappear, the body has a chance to repair and often people experience increased energy, motivation and zest for life.
For most people eliminating a sensitive food can literally change their life!

If you have difficulty losing or gaining weight, have digestive upsets or IBS, this test is strongly recommended.

See what the specialists say……

“People who attempt to lose weight on their own aren’t successful until they eliminate their allergenic foods” (Dr. Richard Bahr, environmental medicine)

“I think it is underestimated how many problems are related to food intolerance”
(Dr. J Sandweiss)

“People come here as a last resort, they never expect that food intolerance triggers their symptoms” (Dr.Solomon)

“People who stop eating foods to which they are intolerant find their cravings are diminished”
(Dr. Colin Little)

Our research shows “98% of people following the ALCAT plan either lost weight or improved body composition”
(Baylor Sports Medicine Institute)

For a short video explaining how this test may help you – please ask your therapist.