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Why do you focus on food intolerance and not food allergy?
Can food really cause all the symptoms you list? Can you recommend a doctor in my area? Where can I get tested for food allergies and food intolerance? Can you tell me if my symptoms are caused by food intolerance? Is it possible to be intolerant of oranges, carrots, lamb, rice, apples etc...? Why am I intolerant of oranges, carrots, lamb, rice, apples etc...? What are your views on a particular form of testing? Why do you focus on food intolerance and not food allergy? You will find quite a lot of information and links relating to food allergy on this site, in the books and on the CDs but the primary focus is on food intolerance for two main reasons:
Can food really cause all the symptoms you list? Yes but don't worry if you find it hard to believe. I was a total sceptic myself and I certainly never believed that my multitude of health problems could be simply caused by what I was eating. Each of the symptoms and conditions has been found, in some individuals, to be caused by food intolerance or food allergy but please do not assume that just because your symptom or condition is listed that food is the cause - check it out with your doctor first. The information on symptoms is provided solely to give you an idea of the overwhelming range of symptoms and illness that can be caused by food intolerance. It is not intended to diagnose the cause of your problems nor should it be interpreted in this way. Can you recommend a doctor in my area? I get asked this question by people from various countries and I am not able to offer recommendations. The resources needed to store and update this type of information are quite simply out of my reach. You could always ask on one of the allergy discussion lists to see if anyone can make a recommendation. Where can I get tested for food allergies and food intolerance? I suggest you start by discussing options with your Doctor. If you live in the UK you could also contact your local health authority for information on local services - some areas have specialist allergy centers. Can you tell me if my symptoms are caused by food intolerance? There is a list of symptoms, both physical and mental, given on this site (See symptoms) which can tell you what types of problems have, for some individuals, been found to be caused by food intolerance or food allergy problems. I am, however, not able to comment on whether any symptoms you may have are caused by food problems. As each individual is unique and the causes of illness can be diverse and complex your first port of call must always be your doctor. Is it possible to be intolerant of oranges, carrots, lamb, rice, apples etc...? Intolerance can take place to any food or substance within a food. Why am I intolerant of oranges, carrots, lamb, rice, apples etc...? The mechanics of what actually causes food intolerance are not known. It has been suggested that some types are inherited, some as a result of a breakdown in the body's detoxification system, a lack of certain enzymes and so on. What are your views on a particular form of testing? I have no specific views on individual forms of testing. All have, to some extent, worked for some people and failed for others. What you need to know is that there is no single accepted method for testing for food intolerance and that no tests exist to measure food chemical sensitivity. The one method of testing that I will recommend is one which uses an elimination diet. Details of the type of diet I believe to be the safest are given in the section on Food Intolerance and, in more, detail in the book 'Change Your Diet and Change Your Life'. |