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Food Intolerance Q & A
What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?
An allergy is an adverse reaction to food involving the immune system. Food
intolerance does not involve the immune system. If you have a
food allergy and eat a minute amount of the
food you’re allergic to, you will trigger a serious allergic reaction. If
you have a food intolerance, you can eat small amounts of the food without a
reaction. Some people have an intolerance to food colouring and
preservatives (tartrazine, sodium benzoate, and aspartame). Symptoms may
occur as long as 48 hours after you’ve finished a meal, making it difficult
to link a specific food with the sensitivity. In many cases, we can relieve
our symptoms by using over-the-counter medications.
What causes food intolerance?
Food intolerance may be latent until your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond.
Food-intolerant people have low levels of secretory IgA, antibodies found in
their gut. IgA antibodies protect the body against the entry of foreign
substances. Researchers have found that after emotional stress, such as
birth of a child, death of a family member, divorce or sickness, people can
become lactose, fructose or gluten intolerant. Stress leads to a decrease in
secretory IgA. You are also liable to develop food intolerances if someone
in your family is food intolerant.
What are some types of food intolerances?
A person who is lactose intolerant lacks the enzyme lactase that is needed
to properly digest milk lactose and other dairy foods. When the person
consumes milk products, she may experience gas, bloating, and abdominal
pain. The solution to lactose intolerance is to avoid all foods and
beverages containing lactose. Milk products without lactose are commonly
available.
Gluten intolerance is an adverse reaction to wheat, rye, barley and oats.
Gluten is difficult to break down in the digestive system because it is a
very large molecule compared to other food molecules. Gluten can actually
tear holes in the lining of the gut, creating Leaky Gut Syndrome. The common
symptoms are diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating.
Yeast intolerance (Candida) is very common. Up to 35% of people have yeast
infections at any time. Symptoms include vaginal, ear or throat infections,
jock itch, skin problems, gastro-intestinal problems, lethargy, headache,
breathing difficulties, and mood swings. Yeast infection can appear with
stress, hormonal change like pregnancy, hormone therapy or the contraceptive
pill. The solution to yeast intolerance is to avoid all foods and beverages
containing yeast.
Fructose intolerance is an adverse reaction to lactose, fructose and
sorbitol. It is a rare genetic condition where the body does not produce the
enzyme for breaking down fructose. Those with fructose intolerance should
avoid fructose completely to prevent liver failure. Symptoms include
flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, low iron or other nutrient
deficiencies.
Some people have carbohydrate intolerance.
Their bodies can’t tolerate simple sugars
(sucrose, glucose, fructose, and lactose) or glucose polymers, such as
glycogen and cellulose.
Toxins occur naturally in some foods or by mistake during the manufacturing,
shipping, or handling of the food. Food poisoning results when the food is
contaminated with bacteria or other micro organisms. Symptoms of food
poisoning resemble symptoms of severe allergic reactions.
Some people are intolerant of certain foods because they produce symptoms
that are similar to drug side effects. These are called pharmacological
effects. Caffeine in coffee, tea, and other products may cause a rapid
heartbeat, sleeplessness and other effects similar to prescription
stimulants.
Psychological effects occur when people are intolerant of a particular food
because of its smell or memories associated with it.
What are the symptoms of food intolerance?
There are dozens of symptoms related to food intolerance. These include:
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Gas, cramps or bloating
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Irritability or nervousness
What Risks are associated with food intolerance?
People with untreated food intolerance are at increased risk for diabetes,
obesity, bowel cancer, dementia and arthritis.
What is the treatment for food intolerance?
Food intolerance is easily remedied with a changed diet. It can be
identified using an elimination diet. If you change your diet and eat
Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Yeast-free, Fructose-free or Wheat-free, your
symptoms will disappear. When properly managed, such diets bring sufferers
back to full health and increase their resistance to disease. Some foods may
be re-introduced in children in 3 months. Adults may have to wait 6-12
months.
Always consult a dietician if you believe you
may suffer from some form of intolerance to various foods in your diet!
Information on Food
Allergies
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