Readers' Blog: Dietary approach lets food be your medicine
A recent statement from Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) about food intolerance tests has led to confusion. As the primary provider of these tests in Ireland we would like to clarify our position in this.
The HPRA statement is that these tests ”alone” can’t diagnose food intolerance. That the patient should be clinically assessed by the doctor initially. That any dietary changes should be under doctor/nutritionist supervision. We met the HPRA in July 2017 and stated that we fully supported this approach and we were told: “The IgG food intolerance test may be used to guide the food elimination process.” The alternative is to spend many weeks/months (in a costly ongoing consultation process) blindly removing foods one by one on a trial and error basis.
The HPRA stated that these tests will only detect previous exposure to food. However, these tests will also tell you how the immune system reacts to that food exposure — “tolerance” or a “loss of tolerance” for that food.
HPRA also expressed concern in relation to children having these tests. We wish to clarify that children under the age of 16 must have a GP referral to access these tests. HPRA also expressed concern about the potential for a missed diagnosis. Given that all test patients are required to sign a consent form (which stipulates the results must be brought to the attention of the doctor) this is not an issue.
The reality is that significant numbers of people benefit from these tests. Medicine/healthcare is now a major business in this country. A dietary approach to healthcare is challenging to the business of medicine. Treating the root cause as opposed to treating symptoms is also a new and challenging proposition. The costs associated with endlessly treating symptoms is potentially ruinous for the HSE. Handing control back to the patient whereby they manage their own condition through diet and lifestyle is an enlightened way forward. A new generation of “functional medicine” doctors are adapting this approach. It makes sense because the most common illnesses of our time are chronic degenerative diseases and these are caused by diet and lifestyle issues.
Martin Healy
Clinic Director Fitzwilliam Food Test
Lower Fitzwilliam St
Dublin 2
