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The Basics of Food Intolerance vs Allergies

Writer's picture: Terri EdwardsTerri Edwards

Types of Food Reactions:

 

Food Intolerance is a non-immune mediated reaction, an adverse reaction involving the body’s gastrointestinal system that can be due to intestinal enzyme deficiencies (lactase), reactions to food chemicals like histamine or salicylates, or reactions to food additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) or tartrazine (1). 

 

Food Allergy can be a non-toxic reaction that occurs as a specific, recurring immune response upon exposure to a given food, leading to health consequences (5).  This type of reaction can involve an immediate hypersensitivity (IgE), or a delayed T-cell mediated response (non-IgE), occurring with even a tiny amount of the offending food (6).

 

Simply put, a food intolerance involves the gastrointestinal (GI) system, while a food allergy involves the immune system.


food allergy vs food intolerance
food allergy vs food intolerance


Symptoms:

 

Food Intolerance can present with (2):


·       Respiratory issues like itchy, runny nose and mucus in the sinuses

·       Gastrointestinal issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pain, and IBS

·       Skin issues like mouth ulcers, swelling, hives, and eczema

·       Nervous system issues like headaches and fatigue

 

 

 

Food Allergy can present with (6):


·       Itchy, tingling mouth

·       Hives or eczema

·       Swelling of body parts like the lips, tongue, and throat

·       Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

·       Congestion or trouble breathing

·       Dizzy, lightheaded, or faint

·       More severe reactions can cause anaphylaxis

 

 

Why Food Reactions Occur:

 

Food Intolerance occurs when the body can’t properly digest the food causing the reaction because the body isn’t producing the enzyme necessary to break down the offending food (3) (4).  An example of this would be an intolerance to dairy due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, needed to digest the lactose molecule in dairy products.

 

A reaction to chemicals in food, like histamine, can lead to food intolerance.  This can occur when the body lacks an enzyme, diamine oxidase (DAO) that is needed to break down histamine.  When DAO is lacking, histamine builds up in the system and when food containing histamine like cheese, vinegar, and sauerkraut is consumed it triggers a reaction (7).

 

Food Allergy occurs when the body identifies a food or part of the food (protein) as something harmful which leads to an immune response and when that food is consumed again, the antibody (IgE) signals the immune system to release histamine and other mediators into the blood, which cause symptoms (6).


More recent studies indicate that a disruption of the intestinal barrier (leaky gut) and an imbalance of the gut microbiota may play a role in food allergies, as these microbes contribute to intestinal barrier integrity and controlling inflammation (8).

 

What can be Done:

 

Food intolerance and allergies are complex issues, involving internal and external factors and heredity as diet and lifestyle interact with genetic predispositions (9).


Some starting points include excluding the offending food from the diet; consuming a variety of clean, whole foods that do not cause a reaction to increase nutrient intake; improving gut health; and reducing inflammation.

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Eat 4 Health Nutrition Counseling, LLC Logo

Cedar Park, Texas 78613

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tlouedwards4@gmail.com

Teresa Edwards

MS in Holistic Nutrition

Certified Holistic Nutritionist

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The information provided through this website is intended as general information for the reader and the contents are not intended for personal medical advice, diagnoses of health problems or for treatment purposes. Please consult your physician or health care provider for personal medical advice.

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Eat 4 Health Nutrition Counseling, LLC
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