Rosanna Davison releases statement responding to online backlash
Rosanna Davison has taken to her website to break her silence over controversial comments she made on autism, arthritis and schizophrenia.
The Irish model faced a huge backlash on social media following an interview in the Irish Independent to promote your new book ‘Eat Yourself Beautiful’.
It was reported that the 31-year-old said that following a strict gluten-free diet helped her husband relieve "rheumatoid arthritis pain" in his knuckles and knees, and that gluten plays a role in other medical conditions such as “autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia”.
Doctors and health professionals, such as Arthritis Ireland and Embrassing Bodies' Christian Jessen, were quick to respond to the claims via Twitter:
http://t.co/ZXgbFglFO3 There is no evidence to suggest that the serious auto-immune disease of #RA can be managed through a gluten free diet
— Arthritis Ireland (@Arthritisie) August 24, 2015
Monumentally misinformed and idiotically irresponsible. I just hope people are a little wiser than she: https://t.co/gNnGtXFCYA
— Dr Christian Jessen (@DoctorChristian) August 25, 2015
Doctor Jessen even requested to be present at the models' upcoming book signing so he could question her about the health claims.
Hey @DubrayBooks can I come quiz @rosanna_davison about the health claims she makes that have eluded all medics? https://t.co/MJwacgBf25
— Dr Christian Jessen (@DoctorChristian) August 25, 2015
Today Rosanna posted this statement to her website:
"Firstly, I completely agree with Arthritis Ireland, in that those who have been diagnosed with RA must manage their disease with the advice of their GP and consultant, and not through diet alone.
"My qualification in Nutritional Therapy from the College of Naturopathic Medicine enables me to advise on a client’s diet and nutritional needs, but always in conjunction with their GP if they’re on medication, have a disease or need to get tests done.
"Arthritis in all of its forms is a serious and debilitating disease, and sharing my personal story was the intention, not to create any sense of false hope for sufferers or state that a change in diet is all that is needed to cure a disease."
The former Miss World then took to her Twitter account to echo her statement and individually reply to those concerned.
I think I'd better clarify a few things: I do not believe gluten is responsible for autism, schizophrenia or arthritis.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
The sentence that appears to be at the root of all of this, is not a quote, does not appear in the book and does NOT reflect my views.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
My point was, and remains, that diet may play an important role in alleviating symptoms of serious conditions. This is well documented.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
… Or that those suffering from those conditions can be cured by going gluten-free.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
She also apologized for blocking some professionals, such as RTÉ’s Operation Transformation doctor Ciara Kelly, on the social media platform; claiming her response was overwhelming.
@ciarakellydoc Sorry about that. The reaction was really overwhelming and I needed some space to compose my response. Hope you understand.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
@graham_love My views have been misrepresented. Please read the statement I've posted on my website; it explains things in more detail.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
Hi, @DoctorChristian. The sentence at the heart of the controversy is not a quote, not in my book and does not reflect my views.
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) August 26, 2015
Rosanna’s famous dad, Chris de Burgh, has also taken to Twitter since the controversy to defend his daughter and make claims that shops wouldn't sell gluten-free products if her comments didn't have any truth in them.
"Why do you think shops, restaurants, supermarkets are filling up with gluten-free products? Because there's a 'g'," he tweeted.
@Lukemcdon79 @rosanna_davison @Mondoburley She does...check out those references and supporting articles, and cut the cynicism..
— Chris de Burgh (@CdeBOfficial) August 26, 2015
@drlfarrell @Dodslaw So why do you think shops, restaurants, supermarkets are filling up with gluten-free products? Because there's a "g"..
— Chris de Burgh (@CdeBOfficial) August 26, 2015
@drlfarrell @Dodslaw ..in the month? Or maybe customer demand? Remember when they thought the earth was flat? Or tobacco was not harmful...?
— Chris de Burgh (@CdeBOfficial) August 26, 2015
