Food Allergy v Food Intolerance
Food Allergy
A Food Allergy is an immune reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food which can cause swelling of the eyes, face and lips (angioedema), hives, swollen airways, breathing difficulties, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and can even be fatal (anaphylaxis). These immediate reactions are caused by an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody that floats around in the blood stream.
Food Intolerance
A Food Intolerance usually involves a delayed biological reaction which can take 10 minutes to 72 hours to present itself. Unlike Food Allergies, Food Intolerances are often dose dependant – meaning most people can tolerate a small amount or have a threshold tolerance to the food but in some cases even a small amount can trigger a Food Allergy like reaction. Food Intolerances never involve the immune system and whilst not life threatening, like a Food Allergy, they can severely impact your quality of life.
Why are Food Intolerances on the rise?
It is becoming more and more apparent how significant nutrition is in our lives and how much of an impact it has on our overall well being.
Food Intolerances are estimated to affect 50% of the population, it can be assumed they have increased due to the changes in agriculture practices (use of chemicals, pesticides) and antibiotic usage alongside environmental pollution and lifestyle habits. Allergens are used as preservatives and emulsifiers therefore the body is continually bombarded with the same reaction substances placing it under a huge amount of stress.
