Food allergies can present with subtle (and sometimes, not so subtle) clues like headaches, stomach bloat or nausea. The best way to alleviate the unpleasant side effects of food allergies is to avoid trigger foods. Oftentimes patients beset with mysterious symptoms are simply unaware they even have food allergies. In 2003, Toronto, ONT-based Gemoscan Canada Inc., announced the launch of its Hemocode System, a process designed to identify and address 250 common “immuno-based” food and food additive allergies. The company recently complemented its comprehensive system with the addition of personalized vitamin and supplement recommendations.  

Last year, the company surveyed 2000 patients in an effort to identify the most common food intolerances. The top 10 were pork, banana, peanuts, wheat, aspartame and then wheat flour, coffee, cocoa beans, orange and tangerine. The company also acknowledged that additives such as artificial sweeteners, dyes and fillers can also offend one’s system, limiting “potential and performance.”

The Hemocode Food Intolorance System begins with a finger prick blood test. From that blood sample, Gemoscan generates a “unique code to wellness” using “state of the art, patented blood analysis” to determine specific food intolerances. Within seven to 10 business days, consumers receive their personal Hemocode System materials prepared by a team of nutritionists and medical practitioners. The materials consist of a personalized report, a recipe book, a comprehensive nutritional chart and instructions to fast-track patients on the road to wellness that’s free of chronic symptoms and ailments which, according to the company, can include chronic fatigue, migraines, respiratory issues, psoriasis, acne, diarrhea, constipation, back pain and fibromyalgia.

Patients are provided with a detailed report of their results, a color coded food chart outlining key food intolerances that, according to their blood work, should be eliminated from the diet. They also receive a personal recipe book based on acceptable foods, as well as lifestyle newsletters and regular consultation and access to Gemoscan’s medical professionals. Vitamin and supplement recommendations to improve patient health are also included.
 
The new vitamin and supplement module was borne out of a strategic alliance with Pharmetics Inc., a supplier of more than 1,300 varieties of vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals sold in many of North America’s food, drug and mass merchants. According to Gemoscan, the new partnership will provide Canadians with improved access to the Hemocode System at retailers across Canada.
 
“Canadians are eager for information about diet and its effect on overall wellness—particularly when it’s customized to their needs—and that’s what makes Hemocode unique,” commented Brian Kalish, president and CEO of Gemoscan. “Identifying personal food intolerances that affect nearly 30% of Canadians and helping them balance their diets through individually recommended vitamins and supplements, is what our Hemocode System is all about. And now, thanks to our alliance with Pharmetics, it will be easier than ever for consumers to get a more complete diet-related wellness solution, in their own neighborhoods.”
 
By adding personalized vitamin and supplement recommendations, the company said its Hemocode System will help consumers move towards optimal nutrition as they work to eliminate offending foods from their diets. “In addition to delivering a meaningful wellness benefit to their customers, the inclusion of dietary supplement recommendations as part of Hemocode creates an opportunity for retailers to recognize: accretive revenue from Hemocode System sales; incremental growth in their core vitamin program and an enhancement of their market differentiation,” the company stated via a press release.
 
“The strategic alliance with Gemoscan is a great fit for Pharmetics and offers our retail customers an incremental, value-added service to address consumers’ ever-growing interest in diet and diet-related wellness,” added Michael Ash, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Pharmetics. “Working with Gemoscan also creates a natural opportunity to support and increase sales of our customers’ core products.”