Food intolerance is not the same as food allergy

Food allergy can be life threatening whereas food intolerance is a 'masked allergy' i.e. it may not cause a life threatening symptom such as restricting air intake caused by swelling of the tongue and oesophagus.

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1) Food Allergy Explained

Food Allergy is the hypersensitivity to a foreign protein that produces a violent reaction, sometimes a fatal reaction, taking the form.

Some Allergy Symptoms are:

• Asthma
• Itching
• Hay Fever e.g. sneezing, runny eyes etc.
• Uticaria
• Hives
• Swollen Eyes
• Running Nose
• Nettle Rash
• Eczema
• Migraine
• Irritable Bowels
• Catarrh
• Oedema

All kinds of foods & chemicals (known as Allergens) can be responsible for these reactions.
In defence to these Allergens, the body produces Antibodies to fight off the Allergens. However, violent reactions occur when the body overreacts to the Allergens.

2) Food Intolerance Explained

Food intolerance is a 'masked allergy' – in other words, the severe reactions are not exhibited.

BUT, these 'lesser' symptoms are not harmless – they may not kill you but Food Intolerance is the prime cause of many niggling, long-term problems that are able to run down your immune system and make feel ill over time.

Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to food, which does not involve the immune system actions.

It can be caused by a metabolic reaction to an enzyme deficiency e.g. a lack of Lactase results in Lactose Maldigestion.
Maldigestion occurs when the digestive system does not produce enough of this enzyme to break down the lactose into simpler sugars (called glucose and galactose).

The lactose sugar therefore ferments in the small intestine, producing the following symptoms after drinking milk or eating dairy produce ...

• Gas (flatulence)
• Gut rumbling
• Bloating
• Cramps
• Abdominal Pains
• Diarrhea

This problem is very widespread but we are continually told to make sure we eat enough dairy product !!!

NOTE: Lactose intolerance is NOT the same as a milk allergy.

Some Major Food Intolerance culprits are:

• Dairy Produce
• Gluten Products
• Food Additives, preservatives & artificial colourings

Gluten Intolerance, as with Dairy Intolerance is an every increasing problem amongst the population as we are not able to properly digest it.

Gluten is a protein found in Cereal grains.

Foods containing Gluten are:

• Wheat (bread, pasta, biscuits etc.)
• Rye
• Barley
• Oats (small amount)

These foods contain the gliadin sub fraction of gluten that is toxic to persons with Celiac Disease.

Some symptoms of food intolerance are:

• Bloating
• Loose Stools
• Mild Headaches to Migraines
• Weight Gain for no apparent reason
• Fluid Retention / Oedema
• Low Energy
• Aches & Pains in Joints
• Muscle Pains
• Flushed / Hot face after food intake
• Irritability
• Wanting to sleep after food
• Burping
• Gurgling in the gut
• Hyperactivity (specially in children)
• Halitosis / bad breath
• Mood swings - and many other symptoms...

SUMMARY: Eliminate the cause i.e. eliminate certain foods. Improve the digestive process. Restore normal bowel flora (favourable bacteria in the colon). BENEFICIAL SUPPLEMENTS Digestive Enzymes Probiotics e.g.. Acidophilus & Bifo Antifungals Caprylic Acid FOS Psyllium Husk Garlic Cinnamon Lapacho Tea Grapefruit Seed Extract Vitamin C L-Glutamine Biotin Aloe Vera Magnesium Zinc