Paediatrician And Allergist Disputes Coeliac Story

Media Release for immediate use, June 2008

Leading New Zealand Paediatrician And Allergist Disputes The Coeliac Story - To Speak At Auckland Gluten Free Food And Allergy Show 5 – 6 July 2008

Christchurch-based paediatrician, allergist and author, Doctor Rodney Ford, disputes the assumption commonly held by medical practitioners that a person has to suffer from Coeliac disease to be sensitive to gluten, a protein which is found in wheat.

Doctor Ford, who is a world-renowned expert in food allergies, is a key note speaker at the Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show in Auckland on July 5th and 6th. He is also an exhibitor and will be available to speak to the public at his booth.

Autographed copies of Dr Ford’s recently released book “The Gluten Syndrome” will be available at his stand along with his eight other books on allergies and intolerances. “The Gluten Syndrome”includes Dr Ford’s clinical research and conclusions that gluten not only affects the small intestine but also the brain, skin and nervous system. It outlines the spectrum of gluten based symptoms from gluten sensitivity through to celiac disease and provides useful information about diagnosis and treatment.

His research has led him to believe that up to one third of all cases of chronic illness and fatigue could be caused through gluten sensitivity, and up to 1 in 10 (10%) people maybe suffering from what he has identified as “The Gluten Syndrome.”

Dr Ford says “The Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show is a great opportunity to collaborate with other health professionals who have reached similar conclusions.” “It provides a vehicle which enables us to get our message across regarding the wide reaching implications of the gluten syndrome and other food allergies to both the general public and to other medical practitioners.” “It also allows us to connect with and educate people who have allergies themselves or care for children who suffer from allergies.”

Medical acceptance of food allergies as a cause of poor health, developmental delays or behavioral issues in children has been frustratingly slow. Consequently many children are still subjected to unnecessary testing or medical procedures in an effort to account for an often confusing array of symptoms (that can often be attributed to food intolerance). Others are labeled as having behavioral problems, naughty, or their parents are challenged regarding their ability to effective discipline or control their children. Dr Ford says “Food allergy testing is a simple, painless and effective means of diagnosis that should be foremost in a medical practitioners mind when treating children, as food allergy is so prevalent in our society, especially in children under seven years old.”

It is Dr Ford’s hope that increased media attention and events such as the Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show will lead to a greater awareness among medical practitioners and the general public about the plight of allergy sufferers

ENDS

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