Almost half the population is suffering from common complaints such as exhaustion, colds and migraines because of food intolerance, according to a new report published tomorrow. ‘Around 20 million people are suffering from symptoms that impact on their daily lives and yet they are not able to get help from the NHS,’ said Muriel Simmons, Allergy UK’s chief executive. ‘We want to see more dietary advice being available and more training given to GPs so that they can recognise that food could be the trigger for some of the symptoms that they are seeing on a daily basis.’ While 2 per cent of Britons suffer from a life-threatening food allergy, up to 45 per cent have some form of food intolerance; symptoms include rashes, headaches and stomach pains. Food can also worsen existing conditions such as eczema, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma. The most common food intolerances are to milk and lactose (the sugar in milk), gluten and wheat. Allergy UK claims that year-long waiting lists to see a dietician are driving sufferers into the hands of alternative practitioners who may have noclinical background or qualifications. ‘People can get weird and wacky diets which are […]