Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and prescribed sup

[Guest guest]

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Good sense! I'd rather have expensive urine than suicide or

homicide.

What a nice article to see!

Jim

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Good sense! I'd rather have expensive urine than suicide or

homicide.

What a nice article to see!

Jim

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Good sense! I'd rather have expensive urine than suicide or

homicide.

What a nice article to see!

Jim

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "

[Guest guest]

Good sense! I'd rather have expensive urine than suicide or

homicide.

What a nice article to see!

Jim

Doctor decides on a controversial route

HELEN PUTTICK, Health Correspondent January 08 2007

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/78223.html

Patients are being offered tests for nutritional deficiencies and

prescribed supplements as treatment in a controversial move by a

ish doctor.

Dr Tom Gilhooly is launching his own private clinic and blood

screening laboratory, where he is offering to check for gaps in

people's diet.

The service, which will be staffed by GPs who can consider whether

symptoms are due to underlying medical problems as well as mineral

and vitamin shortages, is the latest in a line of private healthcare

enterprises to launch in Scotland.

Dr Gilhooly is planning to create a chain of nutritional clinics and

challenge conventional medicine to consider whether ailments could be

linked to a lack of nutrients, in particular fish oil omega-3 and

vitamin D.

However, his combination of traditional and alternative healthcare

has led to some doctors questioning the evidence for prescribing

supplements.

Professor Edzard Ernst, the UK's only professor of complementary

medicine, said: " With a normal diet you get most of the nutrients

that your body needs. This supplementation provides very expensive

urine. "

Dr Gilhooly has already given supplements to patients in his NHS

surgery in the East End of Glasgow, recommending omega-3 instead of

Prozac to people with symptoms of depression.

He said: " When people come back a month later... they are often

completely well. They are not less depressed, they are well and they

feel great and they say 'Can I carry on with this?' "

He argues everyone in Scotland should know their level of omega-3 and

vitamin D. Studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with multiple

sclerosis and the high rates of the disease north of the border

linked to the cloudy climate. Dr Gilhooly suggested patients with a

family history of the condition should investigate their nutrient

intake.

At the private surgery, the Essential Health Clinic in the

Arcade, Rutherglen, patients will be asked about their medical

history and problems.

Dr Gilhooly is opening his own laboratory at Glasgow University. A

consultation with one of the clinic GPs is expected to cost around

£80 and a test for omega-3 around £99.

Dr Gilhooly claimed carefully conducted research backed his

work: " This is a very scientific approach, " he said. " We are not

interested in wacky new age treatments. "

However, Professor Graham Watt, professor of general practice at

Glasgow University, said supplements tended to comfort the worried

well.

He said: " It doesn't seem to me to be addressing something that is

important in terms of the health needs of the general population. In

general people are not malnourished in the sense of lacking things.

But there is deep-rooted public anxiety about these things. What

supplements do is treat the anxiety. "

Dr Mairi , chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs in Scotland,

said such clinics detracted from the real health needs of the west of

Scotland.

She added: " I am not aware of a strong evidence base to this kind of

work. I think it is a problem if people perceive it as meeting a real

need as opposed to a real want. There's nothing wrong with meeting

people's wants as long a we do not invest public money in that in

terms of health because I think that we have to make sure we spend

public money as effectively as possible. "