“Myth” the various food intolerance tests?
“Myth” the various food intolerance tests? Occasioned by various queries I have received so far from parents, I feel that I have to express my opinion on a subject that remains topical. These are parents who are in a dead end and food or sweets searching, suitable for their children, after various doubtful origin’s food intolerance tests or utility eventually.
First of all, there already is an official position of the Minister of Health, Mr.Andrea Xanthou, on the internet, since August 24th 2016, with Prot: C3b/CP/ec.63737 on: “Control devices regarding food intolerance”.
It states in detail:
“Regarding to the issue of food intolerance control devices:
1.Only well-documented methods can be used to determine the excistence of an allergy or hypersensitivity. This diagnosis can olny lead to an advice about food exclusion, which create allergic reactions and not to a nutrition planning.
2.From the alternative methods, none has been scientifically documented so far, so it should not be applied to either diagnosis or treatment.
3.Hypersensitivity diagnosis and the exclusion of the foods that cause it, can only help in dealing its symptoms.
4.There is no correlation, at least a scientifically documented, between food hypersensitivities and body weight or metabolic rate, its regulation, weight loss and nutrition planning for this purpose.
5.Metabolic rate can be measured end evaluated in different ways. Its measure is useful for nutritional assessment, but not necessary.
In any case, its measure and evaluation can be done by a dietician.
6.Currently there are no reliable and certified for their diagnostic value clinical tests of food intolerance.
7.The use of food intolerance tests in weight loss programs has no scientific basis because the used tests have no diagnostic value and food intolerances are not related to weight loss. Therefore, these tests should not be used in diet centers, as tools that determine weight loss programs, because they have no result with the food exclusion can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies which according to the test can cause food intolerance”.
Following this announcement, official placements of accredited dieticians and medical associations throughout Greece have been followed, where those who detect such actions or are “victims” of such incidents, are reported to the local Medical Associations.
So let every one of us, ordinary mortals, try to trust the serious health and nutrition issues to those who have the scientific training and experience for that purpose.
It is at least dangerous for our health to risk such “diagnosis” ot “findings”.
In particular, I would like to highlight the most important issue of celiac disease, which is – in any case – especially difficult to be diagnosed in our country even today.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune small bowel disorder caused by the body’s reaction to gluten.
Gastroenterologists, based on the European Protocol, may “decide” on the characterization of celiac disease in a person, if there is a positive test of antibodies (related to the body’s response to gliadin) and a positive biopsy result. Special cases, of course, require special protocols and examinations, which are performed by experienced physicians (for example: in case of lack of IgA antibody).
So be careful in anything that has to do with the various existed “food intolerance tests”, as certainly don’t have formal accreditation.
Various symptoms that may seem to recede, with the various recommendations of the “inconvenience test” circulating, may be those that would “bang the bell” to an experienced doctor for proper and effective diagnosis and ultimate treatment that we need.
Our health is a great necessity to trust in hands that are not capable of subserving or shielding it.
Let us therefore try to have an experienced doctor’s consent fro any intolerance may finally diagnosed and not to trust the easy and quick conclusion of a, at least, doubtful process.
Also keep in mind that I am NOT a nutritionist or dietitian or any form of doctor/therapist. I am a working mother who, until today, trust modern methodology for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Another citizen who searches – as much as i can – health topics about myself and my family. Personally, I can not rule out any kind of prevention that a physical method, such as exercise or the use of herbs or natural and accredited health-proofing materials could provide.
