ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE?

A food allergy and a food intolerance are actually quite different.  An allergy is an adverse reaction that occurs when the immune system launches an attack against a food protein that the body perceives as threatening.  An intolerance, however, is an adverse physiological response that occurs as the result of the body’s inability to digest or absorb the nutrients in a particular food.  Allergic responses may result in hives, itching, swelling, and sometimes stomach pain. Intolerances are felt in the digestive tract as nausea, cramps, bloating, and/or constipation.   An allergist can test for allergens with skin or blood tests.  Intolerances are harder to diagnose and may require elimination diets to determine the cause of uncomfortable symptoms.

P.S.   Food allergic reactions can range from mild to life-threatening within minutes, whereas food intolerances tend to be less dangerous and may not be noticeable for hours.

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