Food Intolerances - Nutritionist Manjula Cote explains

Did you know that up to 45% of the population is affected by a food intolerance?

If you suffer from any or several of the following symptoms you could have a food intolerance:

Food intolerances can produce a wide mixture of symptoms and it is this which makes it hard to diagnose.  Those affected may have multiple symptoms and often spend years suffering with poor health.

What is a food intolerance?

Food intolerance is not to be confused with an allergic reaction.  In the case of an allergic reaction the symptoms are acute and can be life threatening.  The body's immune system mistakes a food for an 'invader', often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes.  In contrast food intolerances don't tend to be life threatening and produce delayed onset symptoms - i.e. they can take hours or even days to begin. It is this that makes it hard and time consuming to identify exactly which foods a person is intolerant to without a scientific test.

Food intolerances are due to the body's inability to fully process a particular food.  There are many reasons for this, some are caused by an enzyme deficiency or chemical sensitivity, while others are associated with an immune response related to food specific antibodies called IgG antibodies.  These IgG antibodies recognise and bind to specific food proteins to form immune complexes in the body.  These can accumulate in joints and other organs where they cause inflammation and many of the symptoms associated with food intolerance. 

Food intolerance tests work by detecting raised IgG antibodies.  By identifying the foods that will cause a reaction it can remove any guess work of elimination diets and speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances.

First Step Food Intolerance Test

If you think you may by intolerant to certain foods a good place to start is with a First Step Food Intolerance test.  This involves a simple pin-prick blood test which is sent away to the laboratory. The results will then show whether the sample tested positive or negative. If the result is positive you then have the option to upgrade to one of the larger tests that test either  40, 60, 120 or 200+ different types of food.  The results are available in about 10 working days. Once these problem foods have been identified, you will receive a tailor made printout of the results and comprehensive aftercare support from your nutritionist to aid dietary management. 

Manjula Coté is offering the First Step Food Intolerance Test FREE until the end of March 2010.  The upgraded tests, if you require one, vary in price depending on how many foods you have tested.  If your test does come back positive Manjula will recommend an upgrade to suit your budget.

It is reported that over 75% of people enjoy relief of their symptoms as a result of acting on their test. 

Manjula Coté (BA Hons, DNN, FNTP, ITEC) is an experienced Nutritionist, Nutri-Energetics Systems practitioner and Massage therapist.  For more information or to book a consultation please call Lilliput Health on 01202 725090 or Contact us.