Food Intolerance Explained

ALLERGY or  INTOLERANCE?

Food Intolerance v Food Allergy

How do they differ?

The Difference
The Causes
The Symptoms
The Treatment 
 
The difference

What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?

There is a lot of confusion about the terms food intolerance and food allergy, and the differences between them. Many people speak about food allergy when their symptoms can sometimes indicate food intolerance.

Up to 45% of the UK population is affected by food intolerance according to Allergy UK, therefore more and more people need to be aware of the differences between food intolerance and food allergy in order to take the correct course of action.

Food intolerance also known as delayed onset food allergy is due to an inability to fully process a particular food, usually making the sufferer feel unwell. Symptoms can be slow to develop and can take hours or days to appear and it is rarely life threatening.

Food Intolerance (also known as ‘delayed onset food allergy’):

• Produces delayed chronic symptoms
• Is difficult to diagnose as offending foods can react hours days after they have been eaten
• Is rarely life-threatening
• Managed by measuring IgG antibodies

Food allergy is a rapid response by the body’s immune system to a particular food. In this type of reaction, the body’s immune system mistakes a food for an ‘invader’ often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes. This type of allergic reaction is commonly associated with nut allergies.

Food Allergy (also known as ‘classical allergy’):

• Produces acute distinctive symptoms, usually within seconds or minutes.
• In extreme cases, can be life-threatening.
• Reaction can occur with the tiniest trace amount of food
• Mediated by an IgE antibody reaction

The causes

What causes most food intolerances and food allergies?

People react differently to different foods. Food hypersensitivity can involve reactions from the body’s own immune system such as:

• Classical immediate reaction known as food allergy which is mediated by IgE antibodies.
• Coeliac disease which is a reaction to the gluten protein and is detected by measuring anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA).
• Delayed onset food allergy or food intolerance which is detected by measuring IgG antibodies.

All three require different tests to identify them and different management. Food sensitivity can also arise from mechanisms that don’t even involve the body’s immune system. These include:

• Enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance.
• Chemical sensitivities such as reactions to food additives e.g tartrazine (E102) and sunset yellow (E110).

The symptoms

Symptoms of food intolerance

Food intolerance is a condition with a mixture of symptoms and can be difficult to recognise and diagnose. Those affected often suffer for years without knowing the proper steps to take, unable to enjoy normal life and activities and in some cases, unable to work.

According to charity Food Intolerance Awareness, common symptoms that food intolerance can contribute to include:

The treatment

The NHS in the UK acknowledges food intolerance and recommends food diaries and elimination diets as the preferred method of treatment. Those who have chronic symptoms and are concerned that food may be a contributory factor can sometimes get involved in taking lengthy blind elimination diets which can be limited by the fact that they require a high level of patient compliance. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems.

Using the scientifically proven and precise ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing method, the YorkTest FoodScan 113 food intolerance test identifies raised levels of food-specific IgG antibodies. By identifying foods to which an individual has had a reaction, it is used to ‘fast track’ the elimination diet and challenge process. It can remove the guess work and therefore significantly speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances.

With so many unregulated, scientifically inaccurate tests on the market, it is important to choose a food intolerance test that is backed by research, accreditations and endorsements. YorkTest has over 25 years in allergy and intolerance testing and has been at the forefront of food intolerance research which has resulted in our food intolerance testing service being the only one of its kind to endorsed by medical charity Allergy UK.

It is important to note that a validated food intolerance test such as the YorkTest FoodScan 113 is aimed at those with chronic symptoms, and therefore includes comprehensive aftercare support through professionally qualified Nutritionists, to aid dietary management. Some individuals can tolerate the presence of raised food-specific IgG levels without showing symptoms. For this reason we recommend that only those with symptoms use our food intolerance testing service. If you have any doubt on if you should take a test or not, take our free symptoms check to help you confirm your next step.

Read about our FoodScan Case Studies