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Three
million Brits are suffering from ''imaginary'' food intolerances, it
was revealed recently.
A study by a
food diagnostic company discovered that many hypochondriacs have
changed their diet after carrying out self diagnosis on the internet.
And incredibly one in 50 reckon they only noticed the condition when
a friend had similar symptoms.
The research,
which was carried out by www.yorktest.com to mark food tolerance
week, also revealed 39 per cent of people think it's trendy to
declare themselves food intolerant. Almost 12 million claim to be
food intolerant - but less than a quarter of those have had it
medically diagnosed.
Olympic gold
medallist Denise Lewis is a typical case of a sufferer who has
guessed what the problem is and denied herself her favourite foods
for years. She said: ''I've suffered from IBS related symptoms for
the past 13 years and these have affected my performance on and off
the track.
''I was often
guessing what could be wrong with me and eliminating a range of foods
I thought could be the problem. ''After taking a YorkTest food
intolerance test I found out I was intolerant to cow's milk, egg yolk
and garlic. ''Since reducing these from my diet I've not suffered my
usual bloating and stomach cramps, have more energy and feel brighter
and lighter. My stomach has healed itself and I can even tolerate a
little bit of those 'forbidden foods' in my diet once again.''
A spokesman
for www.yorktest.com said: ''Food intolerances are on the increase
but it's worrying to think that many sufferers have never actually
been tested or diagnosed. ''There is a surprisingly diverse range of
foods which people are now intolerant to.''
Nutrition
expert Patrick Holford says that people spend decades suffering
unnecessarily from hidden food intolerances because most doctors
aren't aware of the symptoms than can be caused, and cured, by
avoiding unidentified food intolerances.
Mr Holford
said: ''I suffered for twenty years from crippling migraines, ear
infections and sinus problems before identifying that the problem was
a food intolerance. ''People who feel tired, or have digestive
problems, or eczema, asthma or joint aches often have a food allergy
or intolerance. Likewise headaches or depression are often symptoms
of hidden food intolerance. ''Food intolerance symptoms aren't as
severe as food allergies; so many people might not want to worry
their doctor about them and will just blame it on the busy, hectic
lifestyles we lead.''
Twenty two per
cent of the 1500 polled have to put up with constant sneezing and 18
per cent having a stuffy nose. Another 13 per cent suffer from hives
while 11 per cent even have a shortness of breath thanks to their
allergy or intolerance.
The range of
foods people are intolerant to is incredibly diverse with grapefruit
and sushi being named as two of the worst offenders Patrick Holford
added: ''Some suffer for years unnecessarily but food allergies are
caused by IgG antibody reactions to food.
''By
identifying what you are allergic to, avoiding it for three months
and following an anti-intolerance diet, most people can grow out of
these IgG based intolerances and go back to eating their favourite
foods again. ''By taking a simple and clinically proven test such as
YorkTest, consumers can diagnose over 130 potential culprit foods
within a couple of weeks, saving months of guess-work and hours
trying to get an appointment with their doctor.''
Some believe
it's a condition fuelled by celebrities with 38 percent blaming faddy
and celebrity diets for an increase. Sixteen per cent of those polled
said there are not enough products on the market to help identify or
prevent their food intolerance.
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