Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance and Why it Matters to You!

Today it is incredibly common for people to struggle with food allergies, food intolerances, or both. A food allergy presents as an immediate reaction (called "IgE" reaction) upon inhaling or ingesting a food. Consider the classic peanut allergy in which an individual eats a peanut and moments later experiences symptoms like runny nose, skin reactions like hives, redness, or swelling, itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat, digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, tightening of the throat, and shortness of breath or wheezing. These kinds of allergies can be life-threatening and are commonly diagnosed based on presentation alone or through a skin scratch test performed by an allergist. 

A food intolerance (also known as a food sensitivity or IgG response) is a different beast entirely! People with food intolerances may not notice symptoms until hours to days after ingesting a given food, and the symptoms can be vague and varied in nature. Common food sensitivities include dairy, eggs, wheat, and soy. Generally speaking, food intolerances are not usually life-threatening, but they can be a cause of chronic inflammation and lead to numerous symptoms including brain fog, fatigue, chronic ear infections, tonsil and adenoid enlargement, eczema and acne symptoms, digestive complaints including constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, gas and bloating, as well as migraines, runny nose, joint pain, and respiratory problems. The skin scratch allergy (IgE) test does not detect for food intolerance. Fortunately, naturopathic doctors are here to help! 

The most reliable way to test for food sensitivities is through an elimination diet, in which all foods are removed from the diet except for brown rice for a time and then foods are gradually reintroduced one by one, monitoring for a reaction. Needless to say, due to the length of time required for this testing (not to mention the inconvenience of a very limited diet), blood testing is the test of choice for most individuals. Identifying and removing food sensitivities can be powerful medicine, allowing the individual to regain balance and feel good again! Usually, once someone experiences the health benefits of avoiding their trigger food, they never want to go back! However, after a temporary elimination of the offending food, followed by a reasonable recovery phase, an individual is often able to reintroduce modest amounts of trigger foods into their diet with minimal reaction. 

​If you suspect you may have a food sensitivity, schedule an appointment and get tested so we can get you back on the path to health. Don’t suffer through life when there could be a simple fix! ​