The number of people reporting allergies is rising globally. It is thought that up to 41 million may be living with allergies in the UK alone. It is important to understand the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance as they are very different things and require different support. This article discuses the differences and how nutritional therapy can support symptoms.
Allergies
Allergies can take multiple forms – from food, medications, pollen, mould, pets, bee venom etc. The most severe response to allergies is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate medical treatment.
Food allergies in particular are becoming increasingly common. It is thought over 2 million adults in the UK now live with a food allergy. Whether it be gluten, sea food, peanuts or dairy (to name a few), they can significantly impact the lives of those affected by increasing stress and anxiety when it comes to making food choices.
Whilst it is not entirely clear what causes a food allergy, we know it it is a reaction triggered by our immune system releasing antibodies to fight the perceived ‘threat’. This can produce symptoms such as itchy eyes, rashes, sneezing, coughing, itchy/runny nose, sickness and upset stomachs and in severe instances anaphylactic shock and potentially death.
Intolerances
Food intolerances are not the same as food allergies. Whilst allergies involve the immune system, intolerances affect our digestive system creating symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhoea. Whilst not life threatening (as in the case of some allergies), food intolerance symptoms are not pleasant and can cause great inconveniences to daily life.
Food Intolerances occur when our bodies are unable to break down certain foods or ingredients. We can feel the effects immediately or sometimes it can take a few hours / days for the symptoms to occur. Sometimes the reaction is to a food we have eaten over the years without any reaction and all of a sudden it appears to be creating digestive disturbances!
Common food intolerances include gluten, lactose and histamine.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat. Coeliac Disease is diagnosed via blood and genetic testing Coeliacs experience an allergy to gluten where gluten is actively damaging their intestines. Intolerance however, (often referred to as non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) is when the body is experiencing difficulty digesting gluten causing short term, digestive discomfort.
Lactose intolerance refers to when our bodies do not make enough enzymes to break down lactose. Lactose is a sugar that we find in dairy products (including milk). A hydrogen breath test can detect lactose intolerances.
Histamine is a natural occurring chemical found in certain foods including avocados, dried fruit, pineapples and chocolate. Histamine itself is a signalling chemical that sends messages between our bodys cells. If we are unable to break down histamine from foods as effectively as we need to it may temporarily increase histamine levels in our body creating digestive discomfort.
What causes our body to become intolerant to food may be attributed to a mixture of eating habits, medications taken, environmental toxins and even stress.
Nutritional Therapy to support Food Intolerances
If you suspect you have a food allergy it is important to discuss with your Medical Professional / Doctor in order to confirm a diagnosis. Tests such as skin prick tests and blood tests together with tracking food and symptom reactions, can help identify and confirm a food allergy.
Eliminating the reactive foods from your diet is the best way to avoid experiencing symptoms but this can be challenging and take the joy out of going out for meals and even create stress when buying foods in the supermarket as you are constantly looking at lists of ingredients to check you are not going to be consuming something you cant have. Before starting a food elimination diet always ensure you discuss and agree an a approach with your medical practitioner and/or a qualified and registered nutritionist. A qualified and registered nutritionist can support you with eliminating the necessary foods but also ensuring you are eating a nutrient rich and balanced diet to support your health.
Where intolerances are diagnosed (rather than allergies), nutritional therapy aims to provide support to get to the root cause of what is driving these symptoms. This may involve gut microbiome testing as well as testing to see how well nutrients are be absorbed in the body. By understanding more about the body processes personalised and tailored nutritional protocols are put in place to help restore any imbalances and enable the body to return to optimal digestion.
Allergy or Intolerance you do not have to manage the symptoms and impacts alone!