Celebrity Fads Create Food Allergies?
After surveying 250 doctors (GPs), a British health insurer has discovered that two-thirds of the doctors feel that patients are reporting more food intolerances than last year.
The study, involving 250 GPs, suggested many people were self-diagnosing such problems because of celebrity food fads like wheat or gluten-free diets.
Rachel Weisz: Wheat intolerance?
A separate ICM telephone poll of 1,000 adults found a fifth of people had first found out about food intolerances and allergies from celebrity interviews, magazines and TV shows.It's very difficult to self diagnose a food allergy or intolerance - they need to be diagnosed via a professional (whether through traditional medicine or other techniques).
Written By J. Foster
While I think that this is certainly playing some part (some people will think that it is fashionable to have an allergy now!) - I also think that people are generally becoming much more aware of their health now and are starting to look into how they can increase their energy and wellbeing.
I would say that TV programs such as You Are What You Eat are probably more of an influence than celebrity allergies to be honest!
ReplyI agree with Ross. With all the attention on health on the internet these days, I have become far more aware of health issues than I used to be.
ReplyAnd while there will always be people who are easily swayed by their entertainment heroes, I don't think the average person or the average baby-boomer is.
I agree with the comments above. Allergies are on the increase, and people's awareness of them is also on the increase. That allergies are on the increase is bad of course, but that people are becoming more aware of them is good. If you've got 'em, you may as well find out about them, eliminate what makes you sick, and start feeling better.
I don't necessarily agree that self-diagnosis is 100% flawed, and that medical professionals will solve all ills. Some doctors understand food allergies (particularly those with a delayed onset of symptoms), other's don't.
If you want to find out how to self-diagnose allergies, I have a suggested procedure on my website.
I'd say that if a celebrity gets people thinking about their health, and they discover a food intolerance without help from their doctor, more power to 'em!
ReplyI have been veggie since I was born, I started to feel sick months ago. The doctors discovered i´m milk and wheat intolerant, and it´s evertything but fun, believe me is hell.
People should visit a specialist before trying to medicate and promoting something that probably don´t have.
ReplyCelebrities have definitely been a part of bringing light to various food allergies; however, I agree with Ross that in general, people are becoming much more aware of their health and ready to take personal responsibility for their well-being. If anything, it is a great thing for the food allergy community that these common allergies are becoming more well-known and understood. The more that people know and the more knowledge that is spread, the greater number of changes will be made within restaurants and food suppliers to support this community. While some people are able to successfully complete an elimination diet and discover their allergies/sensitivities in this manner, this measure of testing is not always effective or accurate. I would highly recommend checking out http://centerforfoodallergies.com/2_b.htm for more information on why it is difficult to detect your own food allergies. In the end, most people will not follow through with a food-allergy diet (ex: gluten-free diet) if they do not see beneficial effects of this dietary change, as these diets are not always very easy to adhere to.
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