What is food intolerance?

by admin | July 25, 2016 6:28 am

What is Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance and food-related allergies are common problems, but they are different medical conditions and should not be confused. Food intolerance is a reaction of the digestive system when a portion of food eaten causes irritation to the system or is something that cannot be adequately digested. Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest the lactose found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common. Allergies, on the other hand, are immune system responses. They occur when the metabolism interprets an ingredient in food as harmful to the body and creates an antibody-based defense system to fight it. This results in the severe reaction that often accompanies allergies. The most common allergies are peanuts, fish, eggs, and milk.

The Causes of Intolerance

There is no single cause of food intolerance. In some cases, it is caused by a person not being able to produce the enzymes that are required to digest the proteins that some foods contain correctly. This is what causes lactose intolerance.Chemicals that are added to some foods are another common cause of intolerance. The additives are often introduced into foods to improve the colour (visual appeal), taste, or protection against bacteria and fungal growth. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that often causes intolerance. Substances known as sulfites which both occur naturally (as in the case of red wine) or are added to foods to prevent the development of mould are another common cause.Salicylates, aset of plant chemicals found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, beer, wine, and nuts are yet another cause. Some medications like aspirin also contain salicylates.

The Symptoms of Food Intolerance

There is no single symptom that can be used to indicate food intolerance. The signs can include:

• General gastric discomfort after eating certain foods
• Stomach aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Feelings of being bloated after eating only a small quantity of food
• Gas or flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Nervousness or nervous tension
• Headaches [1]

While these are common symptoms, possible reactions to food intolerance are wide.

Treatment for Food Intolerance

There is no permanent cure for food intolerance, although research is being done into the condition holds the promise of effective treatment in the future. The only way to treat food intolerance problems is to consult a gastroenterologist[3] who will, after an examination and conducting various tests, be able to identify the foods or substances in them that cause the intolerance. Once that is done, these foods must be avoided entirely, or, if that is not possible, consumed only rarely and in small amounts as approved by the doctor. Taking digestive supplements may also help to control the intolerance.

If you suffer from food intolerance, besides being examined by a gastroenterologist[4] and following the advice given to you, you should also:

• Read the labels on packed foods to see if any ingredients do not agree with you.
• When eating out, inform your host or the serving staff in the restaurant about your intolerances and ask that food that is safe be served to you.
• When trying any new foods, the ingredients you are unsure about, eat only a tiny portion. If you do not react, increase the quantity by small amounts each time you eat it and stop if there is a reaction.

With a bit of care, food intolerance need not be a major factor in your life or enjoyment of good food, as long as you know what to avoid.

When a person has difficulty in digesting certain foods it is termed as Food Intolerance. The symptoms are Nausea, Stomach Bloating, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Cough and in some cases Heart Burn, Headaches, Irritability and Nervousness.

Most common foods which people might be intolerant to are Dairy Products, Wheat, certain vegetables like Capsicum, Cucumber, Peanuts, undercooked beans, caffeine, tea, chocolates, some kinds of fish, Mint, Tomato sauce, Citrus fruits and foods with added preservatives.

The best current treatment for food intolerance is to either avoid the suspected foods or eat them less often and in smaller amounts, as well as taking some supplements that may help digestion.

Food Allergy is different from Food Intolerance. Food Allergies cause an immune system reaction which can become serious or life threatening. Food intolerance symptoms are less serious and mostly limited to digestive problems.

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