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Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 12:02

'Free-from': A Rising Consumer Focus Overlooked by Health Insurers

In 1996 when our research began - it was difficult to find gluten-free or other low-toxin foods anywhere. 

Now, twenty years on there is such fierce competition in this grocery category that home-brand 'free-from' versions are commonplace.

Consumers voting with their feet

> Thousands are now pursuing the possibility of food intolerance to relieve recurring symptoms.

> They are trying gluten-free, dairy-free or low sugar diets - with or without medical direction.

> And despite the reported benefits (meaning fewer claims) insurers still fail to support it.

Why Are Consumers Leaving Health Insurance?

'If I can stay well by shifting my diet a little - why do I need health insurance?'

In our two decades of experience, a subscriber's motivation to investigate food intolerance is usually because she has 'suffered in silence' for too long and nothing else has worked. 

Survey findings (below) show a good percentage of those who investigate find some health benefit or other: less headache, relief from irritable bowel, fewer aches and pains and more positive moods.

Many report they just feel better on gluten-free, dairy-free - or both. Some say Paleo is the best diet they have ever tried. Some say they use fewer medications because nagging symptoms have faded. As we already know - when symptoms become chronic - it’s a slippery slope to diagnosis.

In fact there is a whole lot of science behind the effects of food intolerance - and the Paleo diet. Certainly proteins like gluten and casein are linked to the appearance of disease – (from hundreds of studies in peer-reviewed journals). And avoidance of them improves conditions like psoriasis, irritable bowel and rheumatoid arthritis.

Our Role

Experience: We are small organisation with a worldwide reach - and have been researching the medical journals in food-disease links since 1996. Then in 2003 we developed an innovative e-book journal and guide system, the foodintol® Healing Program.

It has now been updated to embrace new scientific  findings . . . foodintol® LoTox Living

We have assisted thousands from the US, UK, Canada, Europe and Australia to understand food toxins – and they now have better, more productive lives.

Member Survey Quantifies Benefits

The foodintol® Survey 2012¹ - the only one of its kind ever undertaken was reported in Body+Soul – and reinforces anecdotal reports. More than 900 of our members who had investigated food intolerance took part. Many had already tried medical methods without lasting relief.

But when they investigated food intolerance using a journal there were striking improvements in multiple aspects of their lives – some even surprised us.

After identifying food intolerance and substituting problem foods - many respondents needed fewer medications:

·         Reduced need for medications: 36%

·         Medications no longer needed: 12%

After identifying their food intolerance and adjusting their diet - respondents reported that in addition to healing symptoms - there were other benefits:

·         70% reported increased energy levels

·         37% experienced less stress

·         40% reported better ability to concentrate

·         50% now have a brighter mood

·         38% of overweight respondents noticed weight loss

But there were also unexpected additional benefits:

·         More joint mobility for 23%

·         A brighter mood - 50%

·         Less time off work - 20%

·         Increased energy for 70%

·         Less money spent on medications and doctor visits - 30%

Early Detection is Best

Food intolerance seems to be the canary in the coal mine. Pick up on it (by switching a few foods) – and disease progress can be arrested or even averted. We believe health insurers ought to be interested.