YorkTest Ireland has today (20th January) launched Food&DrinkScan, the world’s first combined Food and Drink Intolerance test to coincide with Food Intolerance Awareness Week (23rd – 29th January) in the UK. With 45% of the Irish population suffering with the debilitating effects of food intolerance, YorkTest Laboratories, Europe’s leading provider of food and drink intolerance testing, has launched its most comprehensive intolerance test ever – the first ever combined food and drink scan, testing for an impressive 158 trigger foods and ingredients found in beverages.
Recommended by leading medical charity Allergy UK, the YorkTest programmes can uncover potential triggers, allowing people to easily modify their diets with life changing health benefits.
As many Irish people have vowed to improve their diet, to exercise more and tackle any health issues this January, research by Opinion Health in the UK has shown that 60% of GPs are seeing a rise in food intolerance amongst their patients, and a shocking 58% also admitted that they do not feel knowledgeable enough to give their patients advice about diet and nutrition, and ways to cope with their intolerances that don’t involve medication.
‘Symptoms of food intolerance are often misdiagnosed and range from migraine, fatigue and joint pain to skin complaints, as well as the more obvious chronic digestive discomfort. Almost half of the country is suffering; it’s time for people to be better informed of this hidden epidemic. By choosing a tried and trusted intolerance home test people can take control and identify the problem ingredients for themselves.’ Said Dr Hilary Jones
The research uncovered that a massive 72% of the population are unaware that they can test for intolerances and take responsibility for their own health by taking a reliable home-to-laboratory test.
The YorkTest Food and Drink Intolerance Home Testing service is available to buy online or by phone for €399. In addition, a First Step FoodScan is available for €30. Following the First Step, if your result is positive you can then progress to either the full FoodScan, which tests for 113 trigger foods for €320, or the full Food&DrinkScan (158 trigger foods and drinks) for a discounted price of €369.
Unlike other more basic tests available, YorkTest customers are fully supported with their dietary changes. The YorkTest Food and Drink Intolerance Testing service offers comprehensive patient support that includes:
· Two telephone consultations with a BANT* registered nutritional therapist who will offer specific individual advice.
· Help on how to incorporate the recommended diet changes.
· A 12 week food diary with diet tips to help sufferers keep track of the changes they are making to their diet.
Commenting on this exciting new development, Dr. Gill Hart, food intolerance expert and biochemist at YorkTest Laboratories, said: ‘Identifying trigger foods can be a complicated process; for many people affected by the symptoms of food intolerance it is not a single food, but usually a combination of foods and drinks that cause a reaction, so the traditional approach of using an elimination diet to remove one food at a time is unlikely to uncover all the problem areas.’
YorkTest Food&DrinkScan can be purchased from www.yorktest.ie or by calling (01) 2022701.