Could you have a food intolerance?

Do you think you could have some kind of food intolerance? Something that doesn’t quite agree with you?
It’s really important to fix this, especially if you’ve had niggly symptoms for years. Food intolerance can cause long term low grade inflammation through the body. If your body doesn’t like something that you are repeatedly eating, it can lead to worsening symptoms in the future. Inflammation is a big driver of chronic disease so it is important to address any long term inflammation. 
Below you will see the the most common symptoms of food intolerances, so you can decide if a test is something you need to do. 
If you do discover you have a food intolerance its likely that you don’t have to remove the food forever. But it’s important to know that it’s not enough to just take the food out and not do anything about it.
If you find you have a food intolerance, this is your body telling you that your digestive tract needs some TLC to restore it to optimal function.  Without this vital step, you’re likely to end up (over time) with more intolerances and more symptoms.  

Do you experience any of the following:
Abdominal pain                                              Fatigue
Bloating                                                            Constipation/Diarrhoea 
IBS                                                                     Asthma
Weight that won’t shift                                Arthritis
Bloating                                                           Blocked nose
Migraines                                                        Ear Infections
Headaches                                                       Eczema
Coughs (frequent)                                         Sinusitis
Itchy or overly waxy ears                            Hives

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOOD INTOLERANCE & ALLERGY

FOOD ALLERGY
A  food allergy produces IgE antibodies in response to a food, drink or other substance the body mistakenly thinks is attacking it. The issue can be restricted to one area (your digestive system, skin and so on) or the whole body, where the immune system triggers widespread inflammation and swelling – anaphylaxis – which can be deadly. The reaction is often immediate. 
If you think you have a food allergy, you can often get tested free of charge via your GP.  
If you have a food allergy, you will need to avoid the food forever. 

FOOD INTOLERANCE
When you have a food intolerance, it can be very difficult to spot the problem food because the reaction can happen fairly quickly after eating it, or, in some cases, many hours or days after. This can make it quite difficult to pinpoint what is causing the adverse symptoms. 
These food sensitivities cause the body to produce IgG antibodies, and raised levels to specific foods can cause low level inflammation through the body and a variety of symptoms (as above).

WHO SHOULD TEST?
If you suspect you have a food intolerance, testing is the first step so you can start pinpoint what is causing the problem. It is advised that you work with a Nutrition Professional to restore the integrity of the digestive tract, ready for when you eventually reintroduce this food. 

HOW TO TEST
I use the Lorisian Laboratories 150+ food intolerance test, which is a highly accurate IgG food intolerance test, testing over 150 types of foods. It is a finger-prick blood test which can be taken during your consultation. The test is then sent back to the laboratory and analysed, and results are usually received within a week. 

WHAT IS THE COST?
The food intolerance test alone costs £299. I strongly advise people who want to test to take my Food Intolerance Package for £399 which, as well as the test, includes an Initial and follow up consultation. This provides professional guidance on how to apply the test results to your diet in a safe way, and to work on any restoration required to the digestive tract. This package also provides you with a saving of £50 on my usual consultation prices. If you are interested in finding out more, or booking a test, please get in touch.