Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Over 3-years of suffering on NHS say FI study

Release date: 12th January 2007
Further information:
Les.rowley@yorktest.com
01904 428 557


Over 3-years of suffering on NHS before Food Intolerance made us better says new study

They’re the findings of the UK’s largest ever study into Food Intolerance conducted by York University and commissioned by Allergy UK. The new study, to be published on Monday 15th January in the Feb issue of Nutrition and Food Science Journal, is the largest ever food intolerance study undertaken in the UK and reveals for the 1st time that over 60% of patients involved in the study had to endure over 3 years of NHS appointments, suffering and misdiagnosis before obtaining improvement through the food intolerance testing.

5200 people took part in the study and were treated for a wide range of mild and chronic illnesses. In addition, nearly a third of all patients received NHS treatment for over a decade without success. 32.4% of the sample showed they had suffered with their condition for over ten years before taking up a food intolerance health solution.

At the other end of the scale just 5% of patients had illnesses lasting from 1-6 months before using food intolerance and 22% were upto 35 months before seeking a non-NHS resolve via food intolerance testing.

Other findings in the study reveal:

•Over 3 out of 4 patients get better from their original symptoms.
•68.2% of patients benefited within the 1st three weeks.
•9 out 10 patients had a return of symptoms when introducing offending foods back into their diet.
•Many patients would rather have a dietary solution than taking medication.
•Patients who reported more than one condition were most likely to report improvement.
•On average, patients had symptoms for at least 10 years before taking up a food intolerance option.


Testing Times Study is published in the International Journal of Nutrition and Food Science and copies of the report in full can be obtained from les.rowley@yorktest.com or by calling 01904 428 557. Case studies of the patients are also available.


York University used the YORKTEST 113 foodSCAN and subsequent elimination diet as its basis for testing the 5200 patients. The process works as a simple home testing kit whereby the patients posts a pin prick sample of blood to the YORKTEST laboratory. This is tested against 113 foods to identify any food intolerances through the presence of IgG antibody levels. The results are posted back to the patient within two weeks and with one-to-one consultations from food nutrionists, a diet plan is put in place to help the patient get better.



*Note: The helpline number for the YORKTEST Laboratories is 0800 074 6185, www.yorktest.com. Experience elsewhere shows that publishing this number within the story is helpful to both readers and newsroom. The alternative can be a flood of calls to the newsroom from people trying to find the number.

The YORKTEST foodSCAN range contains three types of test. The Food Intolerance Indicator will tell you ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if you have a food intolerance and costs £19.99 (rsp). The specific food tests, that tell you the problem foods can then be taken following the Food Intolerance Indicator. A foodSCAN 113 food test costs £250 (rsp), and a 42-food screen costs £125 (rsp). The tests include a telephone consultation with a nutrition consultant, a year's membership of Allergy UK, plus extra advice and support materials.

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