For many people, eating a glass of milk, grain products, or certain fruits and vegetables can cause food intolerances such as bloating, stomach pains, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Up to 20% of the population is said to be struggling with digestive issues.
For those trying to put their finger on the food(s) that are poisoning their lives, there is a simple method. The best way to identify a food intolerance is to try stopping certain foods and see if symptoms improve over the next few days.
, Dr. Mélanie Bélanger, president of the Association of Gastroenterologists of Quebec, AGEQ, explains.
In general, you should keep a food diary, write down everything you eat and monitor your reactions. For food intolerance, symptoms are proportional to the amount you consume. So, it is very easy to remove food and see improvement in symptoms.
she adds.
She does not like impatient tests, which, in her opinion, are inaccessible and incomplete.
But still one company is offering its services. Canada Food Intolerance Proposes to identify intolerance by testing for hundreds of allergens, i.e. allergy triggers.
But allergies and intolerance are two completely different problems in terms of mechanism and symptoms. And according to Dr. Marie-Noël Primeau, the use of the word Allergen
Selling intolerance tests can lead to confusion.
Allergies and intolerances are two completely different problems
Food allergy | Food intolerance | |
---|---|---|
mechanisms | Immune system reaction | Reaction of the digestive system |
Required quantities | The response was not dose related | The response is dose related |
Features | Itching, shortness of breath, swelling, rash, vomiting, difficulty breathing | Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, flatulence |
Main sources | Peanuts, wheat, milk, mustard, tree nuts, eggs, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, sesame, soy | Lactose, fructose, FADMAP (which refers to carbohydrates found in many fruits and vegetables, whole grains and dairy products) |
People may think they can diagnose their allergy because we test against allergens
, Describes a person who is vice-president of the Society of Allergists and Immunologists of Quebec.
We asked Drs Primeau and Bélanger to browse the website of Canada Food Intolerance. Both cannot believe the comments made by the company.
To make a bad pun, I found this site completely off-putting
Supports gastroenterologist Melanie Belanger.
exactly, Canada Food Intolerance Uses a surprising method: hair analysis.
Under no circumstances does a hair analysis reveal an intolerance, allergy or any sensitivity to a food or another allergen or another ingredient.
, Allergist Marie-Noël Primeau explains.
I have been practicing medicine for about 20 years and I have never heard of a hair test to measure or monitor any disease or food intolerance or anything.
President of the Association of Gastroenterologists of Quebec, Dr
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean-Francois Vezina
Two different results for the same person
To test the scientific claims of Canada Food IntoleranceOur plan is to send two hair samples from a colleague who suffers from intolerances and allergies.
We purchase two basic tests for $39 each and mail our companion's hair to the address provided as if they were two separate people.
After a few weeks, we will receive the results. The 32 identified intolerances differed greatly depending on the sample analyzed.
In fact, only three intolerances are identical and the other three are relatively similar. Furthermore, the oysters to which our colleague is highly allergic are considered mildly allergic in one test and not detected in another.
Different results from the same person's hair
Sample 1 | Sample 2 |
---|---|
Equally impatient | Equally impatient |
Mushrooms, parsley, whiskey | Mushrooms, parsley, whiskey |
Such intolerance | Such intolerance |
Blue cheese, corn, green tea | Stilton cheese, cornstarch, white tea |
Various intolerances | Various intolerances |
Anchovies, beta-lactoglobulin, beets | Basil, salted butter, egg white |
Cherries, cauliflower, strawberries | Cultivated wheat, cereals, horses |
Cream cheese, cheddar, gouda | Chicory, lemons, prawns |
Passion fruit, gin, guava | Spelled, spinach, goat's milk |
Lobster, oysters, Boston lettuce | Fermented milk, molasses, green olives |
Lentils, milk fat, mussels | Whole wheat bread, oyster mushrooms, white pepper |
Turnips, cashews, grapefruit | Pork, prosecco, rosemary |
Leeks, root beer, red grapes | Salt, tequila, trout |
Rutabaga, unique | Vinegar, Greek yogurt |
But the fact is, such results are misleading to patients and may even be dangerous, according to experts consulted.
A risk associated with testing is thinking you have an allergy when you don't, which could lead to unnecessary foods or contraindications. [nous amener à] When you are thinking you are not allergic to something, and perhaps continue to be exposed
Dr. Prescribes Prime.
The point of view of Canada Food Intolerance
We contacted Canada Food Intolerance We were told that no one was available to confront them with these contradictions, but to answer our questions. However, it claims to guarantee 100% reimbursement to unsatisfied customers.
Please note: on its website, in small print, it is written that Internet users who rely on its content do so at their own risk and that the bioresonance method used by the company is not recognized by traditional medicine.
She also invites people to consult a doctor.
Despite this caveat, attorney Mary Annique Gregoire's website believes Canada Food Intolerance Problematic under competition and consumer protection laws, because of the general impression it creates.
For example, she mentions several photos of people in white coats on the site and partnerships with accredited laboratories.
It is very clear that we are giving ourselves a scientific veneer here. We on the website have no right to make people believe that a product has scientific value when there is none.
A nebulous company
Canada Food IntoleranceUnder this name, the company is not registered in Quebec or Ontario and does not appear in the main federal registers.
However, she has an address in Toronto that accommodates a shared work space. But after going there, I didn't learn much about her.
We process their mail
Answers the receptionist on the floor when we ask if we know him Canada Food Intolerance.
Canada Food Intolerance Company webpage
Photo: Radio-Canada / Screenshot
In addition, we found many virtually identical websites targeting users in other parts of the world by offering similar services.
Their civilian addresses are, in some cases, perhaps… post office boxes.
The instructions lead us to believe that the leaders of Canada Food Intolerance Located in the United Kingdom. But it's impossible to say for sure.
Lack of shelter
Inquired about the procedures Canada Food IntoleranceThe College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario said they have no opinion on the intolerance test.
For its part, its Quebec counterpart, the College of Physicians, said it lacked jurisdiction. Canada Food Intolerance Located outside the province.
Faced with the ambiguity of Canada Food IntoleranceCare is needed, especially since hair contains valuable personal information. Because over the years we have been developing technologies related to DNA. There, we send our DNA to a company. We don't even know where it is. However, I find it very disturbing”,”text”:”We have been solving crimes since 20 years ago because we are developing technologies based on DNA. There, we send our DNA to a company. We don't even know where it is. Anyway, I find it very disturbing”}}”>We have been solving crimes since 20 years ago as we develop technologies based on DNA. There, we send our DNA to a company. We don't even know where it is. In any case, I find it very disturbing
, Consumer advocate Mary Annique Gregoire opined.
The College of Physicians of Quebec and the doctors we met also invite the population to be cautious.
I feel sad when I see things like that, because it makes patients focus on solutions [ne] Doesn't help them
Dr. Melanie Belanger concluded.
I would caution the population against all tests that answer all your symptoms without meeting you and without even asking you about your symptoms.
The report by journalist Marie-France Bélanger and director Jean-Francois Vezina will be broadcast this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. the billAt ICI-Télé.
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