Comments on: Patrick Holford, IgG Food Intolerance Self-Testing and the House of Lords

By: Julie Smith

Julie Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:29:57 +0000

Wow, I never knew that Patrick Holford, IgG Food Intolerance Self-Testing and the House of Lords. That’s pretty interesting…

By: Common Myths « Holford Myths: what is the problem with Nutritionist Patrick Holford?

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:05:19 +0000

[...] promotes IgG food sensitivity testing, which has even been criticised in a parliamentary enquiry into allergy and allergic diseases. He promotes the Livercheck Test. He promotes hair testing to diagnose mineral deficiencies. In the [...]

By: jonhw

jonhw — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:44:08 +0000

Thanks Nigel - that's interesting (and depressing) to know. The article I'd seen on the BBC site was better - mentioned Yorktest as the sponsor of the survey, but didn't mention the tests they offer ;) That report you linked was terrible, though :( Even more disappointing given that the BBC's Watchdog carried out a good, and very critical, investigation into Yorktest tests.

By: Nigel

Nigel — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:14:52 +0000

Even the BBC have swallowed the YorkTest lies. It’s shocking to see the shoddy quality of the journalism that our licence fee funds. A lovely touch in this report is the comment from the “qualified nutritionist” – a title that means nothing. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6990000/newsid_6999800/6999836.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&news=1&ms3=4&nol_storyid=6999836

By: Patrick Holford Endorses Allergy/Intolerance Blood Test: House of Lords Wants Responsible Professionals to Cease Endorsement of Such Techniques « Holford Watch: Patrick Holford, nutritionism and bad science

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:21:13 +0000

[...] It shows commendable loyalty to one’s partners that his name is showing up in Google Sponsored Links, advertising blood tests that came in for especial criticism in this week’s report from the House of Lords …. [...]

By: Shinga

Shinga — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:09:55 +0000

Tea–>nose–>monitor

However, I’ve seen worse cases of support for prestigious academic positions…

By: LeeT

LeeT — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:37:48 +0000

Homeopaths often claim their art works due to the fact water has a memory.

Exclusively here on Holford Watch I can reveal just how it all works. Before treatment they put some of Higher Nature’s “Advanced Brain Food Formula” (formulated by Patrick Holford) in the water. The H2O then has a great memory and …ummm … hey presto: http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowProductFamily.aspx?ProductFamilyID=170

I now want a Nobel Prize!

By: Shinga

Shinga — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:09:36 +0000

As for BANT and ION, I rather think that they rely upon IgG testing etc. Hmm.

By: Shinga

Shinga — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:07:43 +0000

Yes, Lee, homeopaths gave evidence but I wonder if some rather wish that Ms Chatfield of Society of Homeopaths had not... Some notable exchanges:

Lord Taverne asked Ms Chatfield to explain the difference between homeopathy and isopathy and asked her to compare them with "conventional treatments in efficacy and cost". Despite the assertions about the comparative costs in the written evidence, Ms Chatfield says that she doesn't have enough information to speak about the comparative costs. Ms Chatfield presents her explanation about homeopathy and isopathy and then, rather charmingly, adds:
I think homeopaths would consider homeopathy more effective than isopathy but I do not think we have any evidence to show that.
Lord Broers: I have a simple, technical question about homeopathy and drugs. Is it possible to distinguish between homeopathic drugs after they have been diluted? Is there any means of distinguishing one from the other? Ms Chatfield: Only by the label.

By: LeeT

LeeT — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:59:07 +0000

Section 8.23 states “The ways in which complimentary therapists diagnose allergic reactions are considerably different from those used by conventional practitioners. We were therefore disappointed at the lack of response from complementary practitioners to our Call for Evidence.”

Some one from the Research Ethics Committee of the Society of Homeopaths gave evidence. It is surprising that neither BANT or the ION gave edvidence to the committee given that nutritional therapists diagnose food allergies. One would have thought they would have welcomed the opportunity to give an account of themselves. Surely they work on some kind of ethical basis? Oh no, I remember they do have an ethical code – they just don’t want anyone knowing what it is!