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Do You Have Food Intolerance? FOOD ALLERGY or FOOD INTOLERANCE

FOOD ALLERGY or FOOD INTOLERANCE

Do You Have FoodIntolerance? FOOD ALLERGY or FOOD INTOLERANCE

People often say that they can’t eat certain things because they are allergic to them, but in many cases, what they mean is that they have an intolerance to it. If you have a bad reaction to a certain food, it may be an allergy or it could be a food intolerance.

Food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them. 

However, it is very important to understand the differences between a food allergy and food intolerance, because that knowledge can literally save your, or someone else’s, life. An allergy is when your body's immune system thinks the food is harmful and tries to fight it off. Intolerance means your body has a hard time digesting food or an ingredient in it, such as a dye or a chemical. The number of people who believe they have food intolerance has risen dramatically over recent years, but it's hard to know how many people are truly affected. Many people assume they have food intolerance when the true cause of their symptoms is something else.

 What Are The Symptoms Of Food Intolerance?

General symptoms people tend to experience who have a food intolerance are:
·        Stomach Ache/Cramps
·        Bloating, Gas 
·        Diarrhea
·        Skin Rashes/Hives
·        Headache
·        Nausea

IS IT A FOOD INTOLERANCE OR FOOD ALLERGY?

Some symptoms of food intolerance or sensitivity are similar to those of allergies. Food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy. Unlike a food allergy, symptoms of food intolerance, such as bloating and stomach pain, usually come on a few hours after consuming the food. You often have overeaten a lot of the food, and it may take an hour or more for you to develop symptoms. It can be uncomfortable, but food intolerances usually aren't dangerous. But a food allergy may be life-threatening.

Here is some symptoms for your help to differentiate.

FOOD ALLERGY:
v  Food allergy is a reaction from your immune system (your body's defense against infection) – your immune system mistakenly treats proteins found in food as a threat
v  Food can trigger typical allergy symptoms, such as a rash, wheezing and itching, after eating just a small amount of the food (these symptoms usually come on rapidly)
v  Allergy is often associated with particular foods – common food allergies in adults are to fish and shellfish and nuts, and in children to milk and eggs as well as to peanuts, other nuts and fish 
v  Food allergy can be serious and life-threatening.

FOOD INTOLERANCE:
v  Food Intolerance doesn't involve your immune system – there is no allergic reaction, and it is never life-threatening
v  Intolerance causes symptoms that come on more slowly, often takes many hours after eating the problem food
v  Food Intolerance only results in symptoms if you eat reasonable amounts of the food (unlike an allergy, where just traces can trigger a reaction)
v  Food Intolerance can be caused by many different foods

Intolerances usually show up typical symptoms of stomach trouble like gas, pain, bloating, and diarrhoea. But the food allergy is associated with rashes, hives, and watery eyes that are common with all allergies. It can be difficult to know for sure whether you have a food intolerance as these are very general symptoms, of many other health conditions too. You should see a doctor to learn for sure what's causing your problem.
FOOD ALLERGY or FOOD INTOLERANCE
  

Types And Causes Of Food Intolerance:

 Intolerances are often caused by things in the food, such as:

Lactose Intolerance: Lactose a natural sugar found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. If your symptoms come on after having dairy products, it's possible you may have lactose intolerance. This means your body can't digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, yogurts and soft cheeses. 

Gluten Intolerance: Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and some other grains. Some people have trouble digesting wheat and experience bloating, wind, diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain after eating bread.

Fructose Intolerance: Fructose is a natural sugar found in most fruits and also in high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener used in some soft drinks and some processed foods, like pastries and cereal

Sulfites Intolerance: Sulfites are chemical preservatives used in a range of foods including beverages such as wine and beer. They are added to processed foods to increase their shelf-life and even to some medications to keep them stable. Sulfites can trigger allergic reactions in some people, mainly those having asthma. Sulfites are present in wines, pickled foods, and sodas.

FODMAPs Intolerance:  Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAP), carbohydrates that draw water into your intestine during digestion. FODMAPs cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain in some people (usually those with other digestive issues). Many plant foods contain FODMAPs, including apples, honey, garlic, and wheat.

Other sources of Food Intolerance may be a food additive, chemical, or contaminant, such as:
·        Histamine (found in mushrooms, Quorn, pickled and cured foods, and alcoholic drinks)
·        Toxins, viruses, bacteria, or parasites that have contaminated food
·        Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
·        Caffeine
·        Alcohol
·        Artificial sweeteners
·        Artificial food colors, preservatives or flavor enhancers

Is There A Food Intolerance Test?

Unfortunately, there are no definite tests for food intolerances. The only way to know if you have one is to monitor your symptoms and the food you eat. Notice what happens when you cut out the suspected food for a while, and then reintroduce it back into your diet.

Keep a Food Diary

Always try keeping a food diary, noting:
ü  what foods you eat and drink
ü  any symptoms you have after eating these foods
ü  when these symptoms come on

Trial Elimination Diet

Once you have a clear idea which foods may be causing your symptoms, you can:
ü  try excluding them from your diet one at a time and observing the effect this has.
ü  try cutting out the suspected food from your diet for two to six weeks and see if your symptoms improve
ü  reintroduce the food to see if symptoms return – you may find you can tolerate a certain level and you only get symptoms if you have more than this amount

It is better to consult a dietitian to make sure you're receiving all your recommended daily nutrients while you undergoing this trial.  

HOW TO MANAGE FOOD INTOLERANCE?

 Once you have identified you are intolerant to a particular food, the only way you can manage this is to:
·        stop eating the food for a while, and then
·        reintroduce small quantities while monitoring how much you can eat without symptoms coming on
·        Checking food labels will help you to know which sorts of foods to avoid.

If you think your child may have a food intolerance, check with your doctor or a dietitian before eliminating foods from their diet, as a restricted diet could affect their growth and development. Cows' milk, for example, is an important source of calcium, vitamin D and protein.

WHEN DO I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR?

You may need to refer a doctor if you are not sure what's causing your symptoms and further tests are needed.
You may also need a doctor’s consultation if your child has digestive symptoms (such as tummy pain and diarrhoea) and:
·        isn't growing well
·        hasn't responded to any elimination diet that your health-care professional recommended
·        has reacted suddenly or severely to a food 
·        has a suspected food allergy

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