Path to health Judy Foster takes details from a patient Ref: 73091-21THE familiar saying you are what you eat could not be truer, says Judy Foster. The allergy specialist from Stroud has just opened another practice at the Bentley Centre, in Stratton.

And she reckons the root of many of our niggling health complaints could lie in our diet.

In Britain, it's estimated that more than 40 per cent of us have some form of allergy.

"They commonly produce the low, energy-sapping feeling that we just accept as part of leading a busy life," said Judy.

Other symptoms of food allergies can include eczema, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus trouble, arthritis and even obesity.

It seems eating the wrong foods can have a toxic effect on our bodies, stopping us from digesting food properly.

The good news, however, is that many of these allergies can be overcome by making minor changes to our diets.

"We simply do not need to accept that feeling uncomfortable or unwell is an inevitable part of modern life," Judy said.

Judy, whose six-week old daughter was found to be intolerant to cow's milk, believes most people notice significant improvements within a month of diagnosis.

The test can be done within minutes using a method called kinesiology.

Working on the same principle as acupuncture, it's designed to measure the efficiency of the body's immune system.

By placing different ingredients on the body and monitoring the reaction, Judy can tell if people have an allergy.

In a typical test, 50 or 60 substances representing different foodstuffs are tested.

Cow's milk, wheat, tomatoes sugar and fruit are some of the most common triggers.

But Judy says people are welcome to bring along other food they suspect could be causing problems.

Michael Renecle, from Stroud sought Judy's advice after suffering recurrent headaches.

He left the practice with a list of foods to avoid including oats, milk and eggs.

"Within about six weeks I felt amazing," he said.

"I now take most things except milk and have never felt better."

For further information or to make a booking call Judy on 0845 0568450.