According to a survey by Norwich Union Healthcare reveals that the number of people claiming to suffer food allergies is being swollen by celebrity interviews and gossip magazines. The results were based on a survey of 250 general practitioners.
The findings say that out of the 250 GP’s; almost 167 of them said that they had seen an increase in the past year.While about 187 said that it was psychological.
What they all were unanimous (94%) was that their patients did not know the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance. Still about 24 per cent knew or rather believed they had food intolerance.
The food intolerances identified the most were wheat intolerance (celebrities who suffer from it:- by Rachel Weisz and Geri Halliwell), dairy intolerance (celebrity list :-Orlando Bloom and Victoria Beckham), gluten intolerance (celebrity:-Carol Vorderman) and lactose intolerance (celebrity :- Rachel Hunter).
“Food allergies and intolerances can be serious for individuals who are affected. Whilst it’s encouraging that awareness is improving, it’s crucial that people don’t jump to conclusions based on what they’ve heard or read. Excluding particular food groups can upset a balanced and healthy diet. Avoiding dairy products may result in low calcium intake, which can affect bone health. We strongly recommend [seeking] professional advice”, said Jill Scott, a nutritionist and registered dietitian, as a concluding statement.
