Whenever we don’t feel well after a meal, we often blame it on allergy. We increasingly hear about food allergy, often confuse it with food intolerance and tend to lump the two together.
This is further complicated, by the fact that, in certain instances, a mild allergic reaction can produce very similar symptoms as those of intolerance. Yet, there is a significant difference between the two with each requiring different prevention and treatment methods.
The most significant differences
In food intolerance the reaction to certain foods is delayed, its extent determined by the amount consumed and, when only a small amount of the problem causing food is consumed, the reaction may even go unnoticed. In food allergy, on the other hand, the reaction is immediate when even just a morsel of certain foods are ingested.
Allergy occurs when the immune system over-reacts to certain particles it mistakenly considers harmful or dangerous and sets its defense mechanism into motion by mobilizing its mastocytes and IgE antibodies. Food allergy symptoms, most common of which are hives, itching and edema, appear very suddenly. In very serious allergic reactions, the person may get into anaphylactic shock, followed by laryngeal edema and a life threatening condition.
Symptoms of food intolerance in children may be learning difficulties, hyperactivity, eczema and stomachaches. The symptoms in adults found more often are depression, anxiety, weight gain with skin problems and digestive disorders found at times. Symptoms of nausea, bloating and diarrhea may be found in any age group. It is important to remember that, contrary to those of food allergy, the symptoms of food intolerance are varied and develop much slower.
Around 2% to 5% of the population suffers from food allergies, whereas, at 15% to 30% of the population suffering from food intolerance, it is much more prevalent.
Who should not drink milk?
Unfortunately, one of the most common intolerance and allergy causing foods is the vitamin and calcium rich, milk. Often simply referred to as lactose sensitivity it could be lactose intolerance or milk allergy.
In lactose intolerance the body cannot break down the lactose, or milk sugar, because the necessary digestive enzyme is either missing or not enough. As a result, the lactose flows through the entire digestive tract in its original state, undigested and causing unpleasant abdominal symptoms and diarrhea.
The magnitude of the symptoms depend on the amount of milk consumed and may be quite mild and, even when an increased amount of milk is consumed, the symptoms may appear only later. The good news is that, those suffering from lactose intolerance do not have to give up milk products entirely, since there are many fermented products such as yogurt and cheese they can consume and the missing enzyme replaced with medication.
On the other hand, those suffering from food allergy will notice symptoms almost immediately even after a small sip of milk due to the protein (casein) in milk that the immune system will consider harmful and attack.
