Food Allergies Vs Food Intolerances

​We hear so much these days about food intolerances and food allergies so what is the difference?
 
Well most cases are intolerance, Allergy is far more rare.  Food intolerances are on the rise, mainly due to poor digestive health and our modern food chain.
 
Allergy:

• IgA response
• Low incidence in population – 2 of adults/6-8% of children
• Risk of anaphylactic shock
• Reaction worsens each time exposed to the allergen
• Can be life threatening
• Symptoms – hives, rash, itchiness, chest pain, sudden drop in blood pressure, issues swallowing, shortness of breath,  upset digestion, anaphylaxis
• Reaction is immediate or within a few hours
• Most common allergens – cow’s dairy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts
• Takes a minimal amount of exposure to cause a reaction
• How many – rarely is one person allergic to more that one or two foods
• Lifelong issue

 
 
Intolerance:

• IgG response
• High incidence in population – 45% of population
• Low or absent digestive enzymes needed to digest specific foods
• IBS
• Sensitivity to food additives
• Associated with leaky gut syndrome
• Symptoms – digestive disorders, wind, bloating, cramps, heartburn, anxiety, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin disorders, eczema, psoriasis, low mood, behavioral issues
• Reaction is delayed – anything up to 24 hours
• Most common intolerances – wheat, dairy, fruit/veg, meat.
• Can take a lot of exposure to cause a reaction – often the most common foods in the diet are the foods causing the intolerances.
• Not life threatening
• Can have multiple intolerances
• Can be cleared with proper guidance

 
Resolving food intolerances:
I perform food intolerance testing for many client’s, the main importance is not to just remove the foods causing the intolerances (this just results in more intolerances months down the road), but to help to heal the underlying digestive issues. 

I find the best natural approach for this is diet and herbs.

Once you heal the underlying digestive issues, the food intolerances will often resolve.  Now if you put those foods back into your diet in high levels you are going to give yourself a digestive issue again and then most likely you'll get your food intolerances back.

If you are suffering with any of the food intolerance symptoms mentioned above, feel free to contact the clinic to book an intolerance test and nutritional consultation.  Get on top of this issue once and for all.
 
To find out more, you can contact Carina at
T -(087) 0978880,
E -  info@itsanaturalchoice.com
W - www.itsanaturalchoice.com,
A - Lisnolan, Manulla, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 C922