Quack therapists could be bad for your health, patients are warned

By Iona Bain

An undercover investigation has found that nutritional therapists are recommending "quack" treatments that could do more harm than good for patients.

The consumer organisation Which? sent undercover researchers with a range of health issues to 15 consultations with nutritional therapists, six of whom gave advice that could endanger the health of patients.

During the consultations, therapists used unproven methods, such as mineral testing or examining the colour of a patient's irises, to diagnose conditions, yet failed to miss the basic symptoms of serious illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes or bowel cancer.

One researcher was told to cut out red meat from his diet to cure his severe tiredness, despite the fact that he could be suffering from iron-deficiency anaemia caused by an inadequate intake of red meat.

Another researcher was told she had a problem with her adrenal glands and prescribed thyroid supplements to combat her severe fatigue, yet didn't undertake a blood test or any other scientific method to confirm this. Another patient was told she could fight off cancer by cutting out sugar from her diet and was advised against radiotherapy and surgery.

While most of the therapists were registered with the voluntary industry body BANT, many were breaking the body's code of practice by diagnosing patients, and Which? is calling on tighter regulation of an industry where "anybody can set up and practice as a nutritional therapist".

Private health insurance gives you the option of a health "MOT", where you can go for an annual check-up with a private consultant to see if you have any underlying illnesses which need to be treated.