What is the Programme?
First of all, can we tell you what it is not? The test is NOT a medical diagnosis or an in-depth clinical analysis, or does it pretend to be. Neither do we test for True Allergy, which is often a permanent condition resulting from circulating antibodies in the bloomstream. It is not within our terms of reference, nor are we albe to provide advice on any medical condition, and true allergy is indeed a medical condition. Our test is based on the body's energetic responses to food and not on antibody presence.

Simple Food Sensitivity can come and go and is often an indication of the body's vital force (immune system) being under par, or stress factors and even indigestion/heartburn. What we are providing is a simple screening test for Food Suitability, and then some basic information on how you can check those foods for yourself.

What is involved?
If you think that certain foods are troubling you, but you have difficulty in finding the possible trigger or link between your symptons and the food(s) concerned, our programme includes:

Questionnaire
At the start of the test we take details of your history, any know food problems, any medicines you may be taking (and for what purpose), symptons, your typical diet, the foods you eat regularly and those you eat occassionally but most important of all, we need to know that your doctor has checked, and is dealing, or has dealt with, all possible medical conditions before you come to see us. This is an important point for us to establish.

Equipment
As part of our programme we use an electronic device to measure resistance and this helps our Tester to form an opinion as to which food(s) may be a problem to you. Just like all the other systems of testing for food sensitivity, we cannot guarantee the exact accuracy of the results but nevertheless the system we use helps our Tester to express his or her views on how you can safely start an elimination programme.

In effect, our Tester is providing you with a short cut because the usual process of food elimination and re-introduction can be a laborious and lengthy process.

The testing procedure is very comfortable. We do not take blood, invade, scratch or inject your skin. We simply touch the end of a finger to measure your body's resistance to each food introduced into the circuit.

Elimination & re-introduction
The recognised gold standard for dealing with problems associated with Food Sensitivity is to examine one's history and symptoms, eliminate the potentially problematic foods and then re-introduce them (after giving the body a short rest). In this way, any food which continues to give a problem can be avoided in future, or re-introduced into the diet on a minimal, perhaps rotational basis.

Once you know the food or foods which have been earmarked as candidates for an elimination programme, you can then plan a start date, and our Tester will guide you through the programme to see if the symptons you thought might be the result of eating certain foods - either come back upon re-introduction and thus confirm what you originally thought - or is no reaction at all.

Any side effects?
Sometimes, when you eliminate a food which you have been eating or drinking every day of your life in regular amounts, eg. wheat or coffee, you may find after a day or two into the elimination phase, that you experience withdrawal symptoms.

These symptons of withdrawal might last a few days and could include headache, tiredness, irritability, aching muscles and joints - just like a drug dependant person might experience when attempting to kick their habit.

Our Tester will explain all this and more to you during the test and will also give you some helpful information on keeping a diary, rotating food, using alternative foods during the elimination phase (and may be thereafter) and he or she will also want to make sure that your nutritional status is not impaired.

Your questions answered

Special Groups
When it comes to the Elimination Programme, we are obviously extremely careful with everyone, but especially people with diabetes, anorexia, pregnant women, very young childern and people with difficult conditions. We do not recommend the Test for young babies being weaned or still on breast milk. We recommend you to see your GP or Health Visitor.

We do not test for ...
We do not test for gluten or for peanuts since these can only be dealt with in a hospital with the appropriate methods available. If you think that you have a problem with these foods please see your GP first and please remember, we do not test for true allergy, you must see your doctor about that.

How long does the test take?
It can take upto 45 minutes to complete your appointment and we suggest that you come along 10 minutes early to answer a questionnaire involving your history, your symptons, confirmation that your GP has dealt with any 'medical' conditions, any know food sensitivites and your typical diet.

Privacy
We maintain absolute client confidentiality in everything we do, but when we are testing in some retail stores, there is sometimes a lack of accommodation and we use space on the actual shop floor. Whilst this does not suit everyone, at least it gives us the opportunity to provide this much needed service in some areas of the country. If you do not feel comfortable with this arrangement please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.

Appointments & Cost

How much does it cost?
We have two options and the choice is yours entirely.

Food Test
First there is the straight food test of over 60 items.
This costs ?33.00.

Combined Food Test plus Guide to Vitamin & Mineral Status
As above plus a vitamin and mineral check which gives you an approximate guide to your nutritional status. This is useful, for example when considering the foods to be eliminated (and thus any potential loss of micro nutrients).

The price for this combined test is ?40.00.

How to book an appointment
This is arranged directly through the NVS Pharmacy. You can phone, fax or e-mail.
For dates of testing please call us.