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Problem Foods: Is It an Allergy or Intolerance?

is it an allergy or an intolerance

The Difference between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

There is much misunderstanding about these two terms and they are frequently confused. Many people speak of Food Allergies when what they describe is more likely to be Food Intolerance.

To clarify:

A food allergy is an immune system response. It occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food -- usually a protein -- as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. Allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are battling the "invading" food. Food Allergy is a rather fast response by the body’s immune system to a perceived invader.

Signs or symptoms are typically immediate, dramatic and visible and the amount of food necessary to trigger a reaction varies from person to person.

Symptoms of food allergy may include:

  • Rash or hives
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Itchy skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling of the airways to the lungs
  • Anaphylaxis anaphylactic shock, which requires emergency intervention.
  • Coughing, sneezing
  • Migraines
  • Watering eyes

The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds), fish, and shellfish, milk, eggs, soy products, and wheat.

Food Intolerance or Food Sensitivity

Food intolerance or food sensitivity is a negative reaction to a food. It is a digestive system response. It occurs when something in a food irritates a person's digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown, the food. It can be caused by the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance, or to the body's responses to certain food constituents (chemicals) both natural or artificial.

Symptoms of Food Intolerance or Food Sensitivities include the above list as well as:

  • Skin rashes
  • Unproductive cough
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Gas, cramps or bloating
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Intermittent diarrhea, constipation
  • Irritability or nervousness
Health Risks Associated with Food Intolerance