Food Allergies/Intolerances
Food allergies and intolerances can cause a myriad of issues that can lead to numerous symptoms.
ABOUT
A food allergy is an immune system response to an ingredient in food. Its normally to one of the proteins found in foods, namely fish, eggs, shellfish, peanuts, and milk. The body response to this allergen is to create antibodies, which are our defense system. The allergic reaction occurs as the antibodies battle the invading food allergen
There are types of antibodies that the body produces called IgG and Ige. An immediate response is an IgE allergy after you ingest or inhale an allergen. An IgG allergic reaction can show up several hours and days later, so if you eat a food that you are allergic to, you could get a reaction 24 hours later. What makes it difficult is that symptoms can be triggered by multiple foods, making it difficult to figure out the culprits without food allergy testing.
Allergies have increased dramatically in the last decade, with an increasingly polluted environment contributing to the condition. Hypersensitivities involving the respiratory system are in the increase, and approximately 10% of the population are affected by some form of skin condition within their lifetime that can be caused by irritants that are food related.
CAUSES
Food allergies arise from a sensitivity to certain compounds, namely proteins found in food. In a lot of cases, allergies occur when an individual who has a genetic sensitivity to allergens is exposed to the substance. When one parent is allergic, their child has also a high chance of having allergies. If a child has parents who both have allergies the risk of allergies increases to 75%.
Once you’re exposed to a food protein that your body thinks is harmful, you can develop an allergy. When you eat the offending food, you get a hyper response from your immune system which creates antibodies called immunoglobulin E, or IgE for short. When you eat the food again, IgE antibodies are released as well as other chemicals such as histamine which are acting as a defense mechanism trying to expel the foreign object or invader from your body. In most food allergies, the release of histamine is such such as your mouth, gut throat, or skin. If histamine is released in the digestive tract you likely will develop stomach cramps or diarrhea, however, a lot of people experience a myriad of symptoms as the food is eaten and digested.
HISTAMINE
Histamine overload can cause typical symptoms associated with an allergic reaction which include:
- Small blood vessels expand, and the surrounding skin becomes red and swollen
- Affects nerve endings in the skin, causing the skin to itch
- Increases the amount of mucus that is produced in your nose lining, which causes itching in the nose.
- An anaphylaxis response is when the immune system goes into overdrive and releases very high amounts of histamine and many other chemicals into your blood, causing a range of symptoms associated with anaphylaxis
WHAT CAUSE INTOLERANCES
- Food Additives/Chemicals – additives added to provide colour and taste which include various dyes and MSG
- Enzyme deficiencies such as are found in lactose intolerance, necessary to properly to digest the proteins in foods
- Inappropriate binding of dietary lectins to cell walls such as wheat lectins.
- Neurotoxic molecules, such as glutamate
- Sulphites which may occur naturally — as in red wines — that can prevent the growth of Mold, also are a source of intolerance.
- Pharmacological actions, salicylate-rich foods for example
Appointments can be In person via Telemedicine
FOOD ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
- Tingling Sensation in the mouth
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Hives, eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue
- Dizziness or fainting
FOOD INTOLERANCE SYMPTOMS
- Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Sinus Congestion
- Hives
- Headaches/Migraines.
What are the differences between an allegy and an intolerance?
The main difference between a food allergy and intolerance is that a food allergy can be triggered by a minute amount of food and can cause a reaction every time that food is eaten. In this respect, those who suffer from food allergies are advised to avoid that food completely. Whereas food intolerances can be intermittent and dose-related affecting an individual depending on how often they eat that offending food and in what quantities. For example, a person with caffeine intolerance may be able to drink coffee a few times a week but develops symptoms if they drink caffeine daily. Food allergies and intolerances also are different from food poisoning, which can result from food that has gone off. The symptoms between food intolerances and food allergies are different and Integrative Nutrition Clinic will be able to decipher which one you have and establish a plan to help control symptoms
How are food intolerances tested for and diagnosed?
- Elimination diet As,it says, the elimination diet involves removing specific foods from your diet that you suspect may be causing your food intolerance symptoms. The easiest way to do this is to use a journal to record any symptoms that occur when you eat any of the offending foods. Once you eliminate the food for a certain period and reintroduced it in a certain fashion, we will be able to deduct that a certain food is still causing issues if symptoms return.
- IgE and IgG Antibody Testing – This comprehensive analysis is crucial in the diagnosis of food allergies/intolerances. With the Allergy Antibody Assessment, IgE and IgG levels are assessed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to ididentifyntibodies associated with both immediate and late-onset, The test for different foods range from various seeds, fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts and spices.
