Can’t eat wheat?
So many people nowadays claim that eating wheat doesn’t
agree with them, that the Flour Advisory Board, a body representing the baking industry,
is hitting back. They commissioned an
independent nutritionist Dr John Stanley to review the
available scientific evidence and opinion on food allergy and intolerance.
The result is a report stating that
the chances of an individual suffering from an adverse reaction to wheat is very small,
estimated at 0.1% of the UK population. (This
in fact adds up to around 65,000, which is not that small, especially if you’re one
of them. Children who suffer reaction tend to
grow out of it.)
Reassuringly,
you don’t die of intolerance to wheat - there’s no known case of a fatal adverse
reaction. Sufferers are usually advised to
avoid wheat or wheat gluten foods but can take other kinds of cereals such as oats, rye,
barley, rice, corn.
Dr Stanley recommends that diagnosis should be based
on ‘placebo controlled blinded food challenges’ which basically means that you
undergo tests in which you don’t know what foods you are getting and are closely
monitored while you’re getting them.
More on food
intolerance next.
Food
or mood: causes of IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can ruin peoples lives. Symptoms include diarrhoea, constipation,
indigestion, bloating, incomplete evacuation, incontinence, nausea, pain, urgency to use
the toilet. The latter can mean never being
anywhere unless you are sure of access to a toilet, even when taking a short journey.
For up to 70% of sufferers, the
problem may stem from food intolerance, according to some experts. Others favour the idea
that it is a condition triggered by anxiety or stress.
Sufferers
are advised to look into both causes in order to find ways to control the condition. Many report improvement after following dietary
advice to exclude certain foods identified by tests - always carried out by specialists. Some respond to counselling or psychotherapy.
To get advice, join the IBS
Network, a charity that runs a helpline, publishes a useful journal and organises local
self-help groups. Address is IBS Network,
Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU. Helpline:
01543 492 192. Website: www.theibsnetwork.org
A useful
book, The Allergy Diet , by Dr John Hunter, is
published by Vermilion, price £8.99.
News for knees
Glucosamine sulphate has been mentioned in these columns as an
over-the-counter treatment for arthritis. A
new study published in the Lancet confirms its
effectiveness.
The study followed 212 patients
with osteoarthritis of the knee for up to 3 years. Some
were given glucosamine, some a placebo or dummy pill.
Those on the placebo showed progressive joint-space loss over the 3 years, while there was no significant loss
in the other group.
If you
consider taking glucosamine sulphate and are already on prescription drugs, consult your
doctor before reducing any medication.
 365 ways to energize mind, body and soul
Before readers
reach for that next cup of coffee, they should reach for this fun and useful book by
natural health and beauty guru Stephanie Tourles
 Age-proof your body
Accurate,
understandable information on aging and nutrition
 Is it
me or is it hot in here? should be compulsory reading. Not just for women
needing help and advice on the complexities of the menopause, but also for men trying to
understand why women are so complex at this time
|
 |
What
older people want
It’s not often that older people are consulted about what
they require from a home care service, but researchers at the University of Salford
recently held a survey of over 140 householders aged 65-plus, and came up with some
important answers.
People wanted regular, trained
carers who listen to their clients. They
wanted to be kept informed about changes in carers and the tasks expected of them, of aids
and adaptations to improve independence in the home, and services to help get them out.
They also
wanted flexible services to reflect changing needs and company as part of a ‘quality service’. Plus accessible and affordable transport,
prescription delivery and getting more treatment at home.
Good to be asked, even better if the requests are fulfilled.
HRT for men
Declining hormone levels in men after the age of 60 can lead to a
male menopausal, some doctors claim. Depression,
impotence, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, even memory loss are the kinds of things
that happen through lowered levels of testosterone.
The benefits of testosterone
patches or pills are said to reverse or delay these symptoms which affect more than a
third of men by the age of 80.
At present,
hormone replacement for men is rarely prescribed, but soon it could be widely available,
if only through private practitioners. One
word of warning: it should not be taken by men with prostate cancer.
If in any doubt
about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you,
consult your GP.
In edition
17:-
Exercise
for those who think they can`t
The benefits of
exercising for those with disabilities
Herbs to help you sleep
An update of
herbal remedies for insomnia
Healing scars
Trials at a
dermatology clinic in Seville show improvement of post-operative and acne scars
Get bone friendly
Those three little words are
at the centre of the National Osteoporosis Campaign which wants everyone to know how to
keep bones strong and healthy
The vitamin C saga (contd.)
The recent claims that
high-dose vitamin C can cause cancer are bringing out responses from the natural products
lobby.
Treatment for impotence
You may not have heard of
Uprima, a new drug to treat impotence. Viagra it`s definitely not..
Never too late
Two very recent news items
that we just had to record for laterlife...
Index to all previous
Healthwise editions
For books on Health visit the Amazon
Family and Health Section.
Don't forget if you buy books or videos from Amazon by linking from
laterlife, you generate money for Charity.
Jenergy
Jenni Rivett's guide to fitness, aimed solely at women, is a winner.
 The Complete Book of Men`s Health
This
constructive guide provides information on health-related topics, exercise, diet, and
personal grooming.
 A Woman`s
"Diagnose it Yourself" Guide to Health
Think there's more to life than hanging around in waiting rooms reading
old copies of Hello? Then try this book
|
