What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

Up to 45% of the UK population could be suffering from food intolerance according to Allergy Research UK.

Research has shown that food intolerance is linked to antibodies produced by our immune system when we eat certain foods. Using a small blood sample, clinical tests can identify IgG and IgE antibodies (parts of the immune system) to over 200 foods. 

The good news is that by identifying your trigger foods and replacing them with suitable alternatives as part of a comprehensive gut healing programme, you can rebalance your digestive system. 

What is Food Allergy?

• The body's IgE immune system is activated by the immediate ingestion of the trigger food.
• Reactions usually occur almost instantly or within 2 hours following exposure to the 'trigger' food.
• Symptoms may include: difficulty breathing, skin rash, swelling, runny nose and anaphylactic shock. These can potentially be life threatening and require urgent medical attention.

What is Food Intolerance?

• The body's IgG immune system forms an immune attack on specific food proteins consumed in the body. 
• Reactions are usually delayed and symptoms may take several days to appear.
• You can be intolerant to several different food groups at the same time.
• Sufferers can experience multiple symptoms, from headaches to bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or spasm, lethargy, brain fog and skin breakouts.

Food intolerances tend to be the most common and can include: gluten (non-coeliac gluten sensitivity), wheat, dairy, egg, soy and nuts. Environmental triggers could be mould e.g. aspergillus.

Avoiding the trigger foods with a food elimination diet is only one part of a gut healing programme and further work on supporting the lining of your gut and digestive secretions should be carried out with a nutritionist in order for foods to be safely reintroduced in the future. 

I provide both food allergy and food intolerance testing in Edinburgh. More information on allergy testing can be found here.

Get in touch by email or book a call to discuss your requirements and find out if testing is suitable for you. 

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