my specialist subject is intolerance
i went for the york test, its expensive but it was trialled within the NHS and some doctors will actually refer you for the test.
When i took it i was graded green, orange then red graded 1-4.
Green - ok eat freely
Orange - dont eat more than once a week
reds 1 - dont eat for a month
reds 2 - dont eat for three months
reds 3 - dont eat for six months
reds 4 - dont eat for a year
you can then slowly introduce back into your diet, i had to cut out 90% of diet, i am pretty much intolerant to everything
yeast was a big one for me, but i now do eat a little bit of bread on the odd occasion. i am also lactose intolerant, i do occasionally eat diary - but there is rather nasty consequences.
i took this from the site -really helped me and a friend of mine!
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What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?
There is a lot of confusion about the terms food intolerance and food allergy, and the differences between them. Many people speak about food allergy when their symptoms can sometimes indicate food intolerance.
Up to 45% of the UK population is affected by food intolerance according to Allergy UK, therefore more and more people need to be aware of the differences between food intolerance and food allergy in order to take the correct course of action.
Food intolerance also known as delayed onset food allergy is due to an inability to fully process a particular food, usually making the sufferer feel unwell. Symptoms can be slow to develop and can take hours or days to appear and it is rarely life threatening.
Food Intolerance (also known as ‘delayed onset food allergy’):
Produces delayed chronic symptoms
Is difficult to diagnose as offending foods can react hours days after they have been eaten
Is rarely life-threatening
Managed by measuring IgG antibodies
Food allergy is a rapid response by the body’s immune system to a particular food. In this type of reaction, the body’s immune system mistakes a food for an ‘invader’ often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes. This type of allergic reaction is commonly associated with nut allergies.
Food Allergy (also known as ‘classical allergy’):
Produces acute distinctive symptoms, usually within seconds or minutes.
In extreme cases, can be life-threatening.
Reaction can occur with the tiniest trace amount of food
Mediated by an IgE antibody reaction
The causes
What causes most food intolerances and food allergies?
People react differently to different foods. Food hypersensitivity can involve reactions from the body’s own immune system such as:
Classical immediate reaction known as food allergy which is mediated by IgE antibodies.
Coeliac disease which is a reaction to the gluten protein and is detected by measuring anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA).
Delayed onset food allergy or food intolerance which is detected by measuring IgG antibodies.
All three require different tests to identify them and different management. Food sensitivity can also arise from mechanisms that don’t even involve the body’s immune system. These include:
Enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance.
Chemical sensitivities such as reactions to food additives e.g tartrazine (E102) and sunset yellow (E110).
The symptoms
Symptoms of food intolerance
Food intolerance is a condition with a mixture of symptoms and can be difficult to recognise and diagnose. Those affected often suffer for years without knowing the proper steps to take, unable to enjoy normal life and activities and in some cases, unable to work.
According to charity Food Intolerance Awareness, common symptoms that food intolerance can contribute to include:
Abdominal painsAches and painsAcne
BloatingConstipationChronic Fatigue Syndrome
DepressionDiarrhoeaDizziness
EczemaFatigueIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
ItchingFluid retentionHeadaches
HyperactivityLoss of AppetiteMigraine
NauseaRashesRespiratory Symptoms
Restless Leg SyndromeRhinitisSinusitis
Stomach crampsTensionUrticaria
Weight lossWheezing
Do any of this symptoms sound familiar to you? It may be time to think about taking a food intolerance test. Take our food intolerance symptoms checklist by clicking here.
"I'm a GP and to be honest, I would not think of food intolerance initially, but I think we should be more aware of food intolerance and get outpatients to take a test like YorkTest."
ITV 'This Morning' Resident Doctor, Dr Chris Steele MBE
The treatment
The NHS acknowledges food intolerance and recommends food diaries and elimination diets as the preferred method of treatment. Those who have chronic symptoms and are concerned that food may be a contributory factor can sometimes get involved in taking lengthy blind elimination diets which can be limited by the fact that they require a high level of patient compliance. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems.
Using the scientifically proven and precise ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing method, the YorkTest FoodScan 113 food intolerance test identifies raised levels of food-specific IgG antibodies. By identifying foods to which an individual has had a reaction, it is used to ‘fast track’ the elimination diet and challenge process. It can remove the guess work and therefore significantly speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances.
With so many unregulated, scientifically inaccurate tests on the market, it is important to choose a food intolerance test that is backed by research, accreditations and endorsements. YorkTest has over 25 years in allergy and intolerance testing and has been at the forefront of food intolerance research which has resulted in our food intolerance testing service being the only one of its kind to endorsed by medical charity Allergy UK.
It is important to note that a validated food intolerance test such as the YorkTest FoodScan 113 is aimed at those with chronic symptoms, and therefore includes comprehensive aftercare support through professionally qualified Nutritionists, to aid dietary management. Some individuals can tolerate the presence of raised food-specific IgG levels without showing symptoms. For this reason we recommend that only those with symptoms use our food intolerance testing service. If you have any doubt on if you should take a test or not, take our free symptoms check to help you confirm your next step.
Acting on the results of the FoodScan 113 food intolerance test has produced impressive results for many chronic symptom sufferers over the years – see our testimonials section. A survey commissioned by Allergy UK of over 5,000 YorkTest customers found that over 75% people enjoyed symptom relief as a result of acting on their test results, 68% of which found that relief within three weeks!
YORKTEST - YorkTest | Differences Between an Allergy and Intolerance
