Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
Understanding the key differences to help you manage your health and make informed choices.
Understanding Food Reactions
Do you experience bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, or migraines after eating certain foods? If so, you’re not alone. Many people face these challenges, but the underlying cause could be either a food allergy or a food intolerance.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
- 26 million Americans suffer from a food allergy.
- 65 million Americans suffer from a food intolerance.
These figures might be underestimated, as many cases go undiagnosed.
Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
Understanding the difference between food allergies and intolerances is crucial for managing your health:
- Food Allergies
Affect the immune system and can lead to severe, life-threatening reactions. - Food Intolerances
Typically milder and involve the digestive system, enzyme deficiencies, or cellular issues, making it harder for the body to process certain foods.
Knowing the distinction helps you take the right steps toward feeling your best.
What is a Food Allergy?
Food allergies can cause reactions ranging from mild to life-threatening. Even a tiny amount of the trigger food can lead to symptoms within seconds or minutes.Mild Symptoms
- Coughing or wheezing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Watery, red, or puffy eyes
Severe Symptoms
- Tingling in the mouth
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis, which may include
- Tightened airways
- Severe drop in blood pressure (shock)
- Dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness
- Rapid heartbeat
Why do allergies develop?
Food allergies can develop at any time. However, they are more common in young children and usually can be lifelong. Scientists do not yet fully understand why or how someone develops allergies. The most common foods which may cause allergies
Wheat
Soy
Eggs
Dairy
Peanuts
Shellfish or Fish
Recognizing and Testing Allergies
If you notice symptoms resembling a food allergy, consult a doctor or allergy specialist. Immediate emergency care is crucial if you experience signs of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing or severe swelling.Allergies are diagnosed using blood tests or skin prick tests. Blood tests evaluate immune responses (IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA) to pinpoint triggers and detect potential immunodeficiencies. Skin prick tests measure reactions to allergens applied to the skin, helping doctors identify and address the root cause effectively.
Food Intolerance vs. Sensitivity
Food intolerances or sensitivities often have delayed reactions, typically affecting the digestive system or causing cellular responses to specific triggers. Symptoms can appear hours or even days after consumption, making it harder to identify the cause due to the variety of foods consumed during that time.
Food Intolerances
What are the symptoms of food intolerances?
Food Intolerance symptoms may range from:
- Digestive issues, such as constipation, bloating, flatulence, gas, and diarrhea
- Excess mucus in the throat or nose
- Skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema
- Weight gain, or water retention
- Decrease energy and lethargy
Testing Food Intolerances
- Hydrogen Breath Test
Measures hydrogen gas in breath after consuming sugars like lactose, glucose, or fructose. This helps identify intolerances to dairy, gluten, or fruit. - Food Diary/Self-Elimination Diet
Track food and drink consumption to monitor reactions over several days, helping pinpoint intolerances. - Food Sensitivity or Intolerance Test
At-home tests require samples like blood, hair, or a mouth swab. Results may take weeks to process.
Other Symptoms of Food Sensitivity
Explore the various symptoms that may arise from food intolerances or sensitivities, affecting digestion and overall well-being.When people produce less of a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. This plays a role in how quickly the liver metabolizes caffeine.
Sulfite SensitivityThis is when people may have a partial deficiency of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which helps break down sulfites in food items such as dried apricots, canned fruits, wine, and cereals.
FODMAPSWhen a group of sugars ferment in the digestive tract due to an imbalance in bacteria. Enzymes such as amylase and glucoamylase, cellulase, lactase and invertase, and other enzymes break down FODMAPs. FODMAP foods include beans and lentils, some vegetables such as onions, garlic, and cauliflower, some fruits such as apples, cherries, and mango.
Sucrose IntoleranceSucrose intolerance or genetic sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (GSID) is the condition in which sucrase-isomaltase, an enzyme needed for proper metabolism of sucrose (sugar) and starch (e.g., grains), is not produced or the enzyme produced is either partially functional or non-functional in the small intestine. Sucrose is found in sugar, sugary drinks, fast food, and baked goods.
Sugar Alcohol Sensitivity(sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt) - this is when a series of sugar alcohol enzymes are deficient in the body, causing bloating and gastrointestinal distress. Sugar alcohols are found in most jellies, candies, ice creams, chocolate, chewing gums, protein powders, prunes, and berries.
Fructose IntoleranceAlterations in the ALDOB gene can cause hereditary fructose intolerance. The ALDOB gene provides instructions for making the aldolase B enzyme. This enzyme is found primarily in the liver and is involved in fructose breakdown (metabolism), so this sugar can be used as energy. Fructose is found in most fruits.
Enzyme deficiencies and inflammation can cause food intolerances with no signs of immune-mediated responses. Immune responses are often measured with IgG or IgE levels. Therefore, food intolerances or sensitivities are usually not measured using immunogenics. This can be a common misconception in Healthcare that food intolerances are measured through IgE and IgG responses. However, it is known that IgE or IgG responses can measure food allergies. Food allergies and food intolerances or sensitivities can differ significantly.
Diet and lifestyle are known to be responsible for the development of food intolerances and sensitivities. The known recommendation for medical doctors is that patients may test regularly with AFIL's technology, as often as every three months, before symptoms begin reappearing and new food intolerances develop. Testing frequently is the simplest way for patients to take control of their health and help prevent future diseases due to chronic inflammation.
Dr. Sony S.
Panel Expert, Medical Doctor
The Takeaway
There are significant differences between food allergies and intolerances to be aware of. Food allergies affect the immune system, and food intolerances involve the cells and the digestive system. While food intolerances may not be life-threatening, food allergies can be, and this is why it is essential to rule out allergies.
It may also be possible that you may not be allergic to a certain food item but intolerant, and vice versa. This is because the immune system can react differently to the digestive system and cells of the body.
Food allergies can happen quickly and can be triggered even by the smallest portion of food. In contrast, food intolerances may require more significant amounts of that food intolerance trigger and can take between hours and days to show signs or symptoms.
