Naturopathy is a multi-disciplinary approach to health care that recognises the body’s innate power to heal itself. Naturopaths work from the premise that your body needs certain basics to function properly: the correct nutrients, adequate rest and relaxation, appropriate exercise, fresh air, clean water and sunlight. Whilst recognising the limitations of our modern world, your Naturopath will assist you to create a healthier diet and lifestyle that will help your health to return. Often your body needs assistance to function properly. Naturopaths are skilled in tailoring natural health programmes to your unique requirements.
The treatment may involve:
- Nutrition – optimum health through good food,
- Detoxification – cleansing programmes to allow healing to take place,
- Physical Therapy – to restore structural balance using Osteopathy, massage and reflexology,
- Hydrotherapy – hot and cold water treatments to encourage circulation,
- Exercise and Stress Management.
Food Intolerance Testing
What is food intolerance? What is food allergy?
A “food allergy” is usually an acute, often severe occasionally life-threatening reaction to food. It occurs within seconds or minutes, sometimes to even the tiniest trace of food.
It is often confused with the term “food intolerance”. this is usually a more chronic response with symptoms often slow to develop (sometimes days) and may last for weeks. The reaction can therefore be very difficult to pick up. However it also mediates an antibody response lgE which can be measured.
Symptoms
The antibodies combine with the food to form complexes. The body should break these complexes down, however if the immune system is weak or over-worked, they can migrate to different parts of the body and cause reactions. These are thought to be wide-ranging, for example:
Gastrointestinal: abdominal, pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, difficulty controlling weight, wind, water retention.
Respiratory: sinusitis, asthma.
Skin: eczema, dermatitis, rashes, itchy skin.
Structural: joint pain, stiffness, weakness.
Neurological: headaches, anxiety, tiredness, poor concentration, hyperactivity.
What does the test involve?
In order to see whether the body reacts to a certain food, a blood sample is taken. This is a simple pin-prick which provides the small amount needed. This sample is first diluted then applied to a plate containing various food protein samples. An antibody detector solution is applied and finally the developer solution. The whole process takes about 45 mintues at which stage the results are finalized.
The test will be carried out by Jon Muscaty our naturopath who has over 15 years experience in treating food disorders.
Which foods are tested?
Cereals: corn, durum wheat, gluten, oats, rice, rye, wheat.
Nuts and Beans: almond, brazil, cashew, cocoa bean, peanut, legume mix (pea, lentil, haricot), soya bean, walnut.
Meats: beef, chicken, lamb, pork.
Fish: freshwater mix (salmon, trout), shellfish mix (shrimp, prawn, crab, lobster, mussel), tuna, white fish mix (haddock, cod, plaice)
Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, cucumber, leek, peppers (red, green, yellow), potato.
Fruits: apple, blackcurrant, grapefruit, melon mix (cantalope, water melon), olive, orange & lemon, strawberry, tomato.
Other: egg(whole), cow’s milk, garlic, ginger, mushroom, tea, yeast.
Results
Results will be listed in a table which will be available to take away at the end of the session. You will be able to see if you have had any reaction to the foods, and whether it is a strong or mild reaction.
What if the test is positive for a certain food?
A strong reactin would suggest it is better to eliminate the food completely from the diet for at least 3 months. It may be possible to rotate or just cut down on foods with milder reactions.
Follow up sessions can be arranged if you would like help constructing a suitable dietary plan; these will last for half an hour and will be priced at £40.00.
Appointments
The cost of the appointment will be £115.00 and an appointment will take approximately 45 mins.
If you have any concerns about the test or results seek medical advice.
Jon Musacaty
Practitioner details