Food Intolerance And Food Allergy - What's The Difference?

Often, when we talk about food allergies, we explain our complaints with food intolerance. However, food allergies and food intolerances are different conditions. In food allergy, as in any allergy, the immune system plays a role, while in food intolerance it is usually a lack or deficiency of an enzyme in the digestive system, due to which the assimilation of a certain type of food cannot be obtained. The most popular example in this aspect is lactose intolerance, which is due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar in milk.

How can we distinguish the symptoms of a food allergy from food intolerance when we do not have a medical education - at least such a conscious distinction helps the attending physician to issue a referral to the appropriate specialist.

You should know that in case of food intolerance the complaints occur some time after consuming the given product, while in case of food allergy the symptoms appear almost immediately. While food intolerance may allow the consumption of a small amount of the food in question without causing discomfort, allergies are minimal enough for the immune system to react violently and even life-threatening conditions - anaphylactic shock - occur.

And this is because in allergies the body's immune system recognizes a substance in the food as foreign, allergens are produced and as a result of their amount increases the release of histamine in the body. The degree of the allergic reaction depends on the amount of the latter. Antiallergic drugs consist of antihistamines.

When there is intolerance to a certain nutrient, it means that the digestive system is deficient in a certain enzyme for its breakdown, resulting in its problematic absorption - intestinal retention, fermentation, bloating and other related complaints, severe discomfort, even abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea may occur.

Food intolerance may also be due to certain toxins in the food that are naturally present in the food, leading to symptoms of food poisoning in some cases. This category includes products containing salicylates and histamine. Salicylates, for example, contain most of the herbs used in the kitchen, sesame seeds, most fruits and vegetables, nuts and more.

Food allergies can grow, but can also come as a surprise at a later age . However, when it comes to a deficiency of an enzyme in the digestive system, it is usually necessary to import this enzyme in addition. It is also possible to become deficient in certain enzymes with age.

The symptoms of food allergy and food intolerance are also different. In food allergy, the most common is the manifestation of a skin reaction - the appearance of a rash, itching, swelling of the skin . While in food intolerance include nausea, vomiting , mentioned diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain . Complaints may be accompanied by complaints from the respiratory system, but these symptoms are accompanying, if any.

The confusion of food allergy with food intolerance comes from the fact that the same food can cause some food allergies, in others food intolerance, such as milk - allergy due to cow's milk protein and lactose intolerance.

The products that most often cause food allergies are: eggs, fish, peanuts, other nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, as well as crustaceans and wheat. Foods that cause digestive disorders are most often: legumes, cabbage, citrus fruits, technologically processed meat (sausages, etc.) and cereals containing gluten.