Put to the test

WE are what we eat. Nobody believes that more than people who have benefited from tests carried out by York Nutritional Laboratories. Many people suffering from chronic illnesses such as migraine, eczema and irritable bowel syndrome have seen their health - and their lives - turned around after a simple blood test has identified the foods which trigger their problems.

Independent research found that 52 per cent of YNL patients reported a significant reduction of their symptoms after changing their diets to remove the offending food. Of these, seven in ten said they were still enjoying the benefits one year later.

Earlier this year, we offered readers the chance to win a free test with the laboratories, based in Osbaldwick.

We were inundated with requests, and five readers were chosen to undergo the test which costs £245.

Today, we introduce our five 'guinea pigs', detailing their health problems and their test results.

In a few weeks, we shall follow them up to find out what effect their new diets have had on their ailments.

Cameron Patterson

Eczema and asthma have plagued little Cameron since he began weaning 18 months ago.

Mum Mandy became suspicious that the problems were triggered by food but couldn't pinpoint the guilty culprits.

A blood test revealed Cameron was allergic to eggs, but even after these were removed from his diet, the eczema continued.

"It's terrible," confesses mum-of-six Mandy, who lives in Acomb. "He is itching all the time and has mood swings because he is so irritable. When it's bad, he doesn't sleep and neither do I. I have to get up and rub him or bath him and put all his creams on him."

Eggs were one of the trouble foods which turned up on the test results from the YNL, along with beef, cows' milk and potatoes.

It was the latter which shocked Mandy the most.

"You don't associate allergies with potatoes," she said. "Cameron used to eat a lot of crisps, but now he'll have to eat ones made from maize such as Monster Munch."

Mandy has to remain ever vigilant when shopping for food. "It's unbelievable how many products contain potato: gravy granules, stock cubes, pies. The supermarkets do guides to help you avoid things like eggs or dairy, but not potatoes. That would be helpful."

Susanna Dale

SPORT is this teenager's passion. A cross-country runner, the 17-year-old Fulford School pupil also plays tennis, squash and hockey.

Susanna hopes to study sports science when she leaves school, but she has recently developed asthma-like symptoms and has been having stomach cramps, which have affected her ability to exercise.

"It began last October and it was a bit of a shock. I was running and I just couldn't breathe," she recalls. "It's stressful if you can't do what you want to do. When you are running asthma is not a good thing to have."

Her GP has prescribed an inhaler, but Susanna was keen to find out if the food she was eating was contributing to these conditions.

Her tests results revealed the main enemy was eggs, with cows' milk, wheat, cod and yeast foods to avoid too.

"I've always eaten a lot of eggs," says Susanna. "I like egg sandwiches and scrambled eggs."

Not only will Susanna have to give them up, but also treats such as cakes, which contain eggs. "I can have biscuits instead," she said.

Harriet Slater

SEVEN-year-old Harriet has suffered from juvenile migraine for the past three years.

"She usually gets sick, has head pain and can't stand up and gets sent home from school," explains mum Nicky, of Kelfield. "It's usually over in half a day but it leaves her very tired."

The usual migraine triggers were cut out from Harriet's diet: chocolate, cheese, orange juice: but to no avail, says Nicky.

Drugs from the paediatrician left Harriet extremely tired and unable to cope at school, so Nicky took her off them.

At the same time that Harriet was tested by the YNL, Nicky also took her to a homeopath who advised her to take some natural 'remedies'.

The YNL tests results showed Harriet had a very mild intolerance of cows' milk, onions, peas, rice and wheat.

Nicky decided to give the homeopathic remedies a chance before cutting out these foodstuffs, which she believes Harriet needs as a growing child.

So far, Harriet is responding well to the homeopathy. "She has perked up and she hasn't had a migraine. She seems so much brighter and happier."

Charlotte Wood

MOST days, this 17-year-old feels tired, bloated, sick and, not surprisingly, down.

Since she was six years old, she has regularly suffered from severe stomach upsets.

"I'm pretty desperate. Lots of times, I feel just too tired to enjoy myself," says Charlotte, from Acomb, who would like to work with animals.

Her ailments also affect her ability to do sports: she likes swimming and working out at the gym.

Her blood test revealed an intolerance to cows' milk - something which featured large in Charlotte's diet.

"I drink glasses of milk every day. I also have it on my cereal and I eat yoghurts. I also have cheese with everything: on spaghetti, with chips, even with meat and in soup!"

Charlotte reckons it will be tough to cut it out, especially as so many foods contain milk - but it will be worth it to feel better.

"Even sausages and bread contain milk. But you can find brands which don't. I just have to be more careful when I'm buying food."

Paul Jackson

This 36-year-old paramedic has suffered from migraines since he was a teenager.

He takes daily medication to try to limit the attacks, which can happen two to three times a week, with the after effects lingering for days.

Paul, who is getting married on May 26, is stationed at Haxby, York, and loves his job, but his migraines have forced him to take a lot of time off.

He's desperate to ease his plight and start living a more normal life.

"If I get a very bad migraine, I get what I call an aura: all my mouth goes numb and I get a stiff neck. Sometimes the numbness goes down my arms and legs, as if I'm having a stroke and it can take two or three days to get over it."

Paul's test revealed intolerance to cows' milk and a milder one to wheat and gluten.

"My first thought was how on earth was I going to cope?" confessed Paul. "But there are ways around it."

Drinking soya milk, however, is not an alternative. "It's awful. And the colour. Yuk! I'd just rather go without."

u For more information about York Nutritional Laboratories call the freephone number: 0800 0746185.