Food Allergy or Food Intolerance – There IS a Difference.

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I was just sent an email from a reader asking what the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance was. After sitting and thinking about that question for a while it dawned on me that many people may not know that there actually is a difference between them. So, let me see if I can explain both of them, so that you will be able to understand the differences between them.

Food Intolerance –

A food intolerance is a digestive system response to a food It occurs when a food irritates a person’s digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown a food. Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products is the most common food intolerance however there are many more foods that people can be intolerant to.

The symptoms of food intolerance can include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Gas, cramps, or bloating
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Irritability or nervousness

People that have food intolerances often lack the chemicals, or enzymes necessary to properly digest certain proteins found in the food. This can sometimes be overcome with medication such as Lactaid for people with lactose intolerance. People with food intolerance in many cases will not have symptoms unless a large amount of the offending food has been consumed or the food has been consumed frequently.

Treatment for a food intolerance is based on avoiding or reducing your intake of problem foods and treating symptoms when they arise. Celiac Disease is a form of a food intolerance.

Food Allergy –

A food allergy is an immune system response. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakingly believes a an ingredient in a food (usually a protein) is harmful to the body and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. The immune system treats the food as though it were a virus or bacteria and releases antibodies to fight it. Food allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are fighting off the “invading” food.

The most common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts (macadamia nuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, milk & dairy products, eggs, soy beans & products, and wheat although other foods may also cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals. These foods are often thought of as the “Big 8” when referring to food allergens and by law must be listed in plain terms on the list of ingredients of any food sold in the United States. For instance, even though lactose is a very common food intolerance, since it is also one of the “Big 8” food allergens, its common term must now be used (Milk or Dairy Products).

Symptoms of a food allergy can be mild to severe, and the amount of food necessary to trigger a reaction can vary from person to person. In many people with severe allergies, merely the microscopic proteins of the food are enough to trigger an allergic response. For instance a person allergic to peanuts can have an allergic reaction merely by someone handling peanuts, then preparing their food without washing their hands and thoroughly cleaning their equipment first. Even though no visible peanuts are on the persons hands or equipment.

When a person first ingests a food that they are allergic to the bod’s immune system creates antibodies (immunoglobulin E, or IgE). When you eat the food again it triggers the release of IgE antibodies and another chemical called histamine to fight off the “invading” protein from the body. Histamine can affect the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract or skin. The specific symptoms that a person develops depend on where the histamines is released into the body. Many people develop a combination of symptoms as the food is eaten and moves through the body as it is digested.

The most common symptoms of a food allergy include:

• Rash or hives
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fainting, light-headedness, dizziness
• Hives, itchiness
• Nasal congestion
• Nausea, vomiting
• Palpitations
• Skin redness
• Slurred speech
• Wheezing
• Itchy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Swelling of the airways to the lungs
• Anaphylaxis

A person may “grow out of” an allergy to a food as they grow older, or they may suddenly become allergic to a food that they previously had no allergy to and have eaten many times in the past.

Because a food allergy reaction can affect the cardiovascular and respiratory system it can, and often does result in death. There is no way to determine when a particular food allergy will cause a mild or severe reaction. A person that normally only has mild reactions to a particular food allergy could suddenly and without warning have a severe life-threatening reaction where their body goes into what is known as anaphylactic shock. If anaphylactic shock is not treated immediately it can result in sudden death within just a few minutes of onset.

As you can see, there is a big difference between a food intolerance and a food allergy, one that could have a deadly outcome. If a person tells you that they are intolerant of a specific food be considerate of their feelings and make sure to avoid that food when preparing their meals.

If a person tells you that they are allergic to a particular food, make absolutely sure that there is no possible way that the ingredients in, or utensils used to prepare the food can cause an allergic reaction for them. Their death will be on your hands.

Source: PubMed Health, WebMD,