| Food allergy is a rather fast response (minutes) by | | | | to be an immune system response. The |
| the body's immune system to a perceived invader. | | | | gastro-intestinal tract in some people is simply unable |
| Signs or symptoms are typically immediate, dramatic | | | | to produce appropriate enzymes for normal chemical |
| and visible: coughing, sneezing, vomiting, migraines, | | | | breakdown. The food passes through unprocessed, |
| watering eyes, rashes, swelling tissue, hives – or | | | | or lingers in the gut fermenting producing excess |
| in severe cases an anaphylactic shock which requires | | | | ‘gas'. In some cases protein fragments rupture |
| emergency intervention. However other symptoms | | | | the lining of the intestine allowing foreign particles into |
| like the gastro-intestinal responses nausea, vomiting | | | | the bloodstream. |
| and diarrhea can be delayed for hours or even days. | | | | Symptoms of food intolerance are much more |
| An Allergy triggers an allergic response in a person | | | | delayed. They generally manifest as nutritional |
| – often immediately - on exposure to the | | | | deficiencies that develop over time. BUT - they can |
| allergen. Generally, people suffering from an allergy | | | | be just as life threatening as a food allergy! |
| have had a breakdown in their immune system: it | | | | Food intolerance is an inability to properly digest |
| "misreads" the allergen as an enemy invader and pulls | | | | certain foods. In some cases food passes right |
| out all stops to attack it. | | | | through the body before digestion is complete – |
| Normally our immune system protects us by | | | | so is eliminated only partially processed like milk |
| producing antibodies in the blood that attack bacteria | | | | products causing diarrhea. In other cases some foods |
| and viruses invading our bodies. This lets us fight off | | | | have components which actually attack the lining of |
| infections without ever knowing they were there. But | | | | the gut and damage it every time that food is eaten |
| in a very few people the immune system produces | | | | (like Celiacs with gluten). Fortunately most food |
| an abnormal type of antibody in response to things | | | | intolerant people recover fully when the offending |
| like pollens, or in some cases certain foods. | | | | food is avoided. |
| Many food allergy symptoms are the same as regular | | | | Direct problems such as severe abdominal cramps, |
| allergy symptoms (those in response to pollens, | | | | bloating, flatulence, diarrhea and hemorrhoids are |
| chemicals and animal hair): sneezing, skin rashes, hives, | | | | common. However the indirect problems associated |
| watering eyes, runny nose and sore throat. For food | | | | with poor absorption can be much more harmful. |
| allergies add nausea, spontaneous vomiting, weight | | | | When food leaves the body only partially processed |
| loss and gastro-intestinal symptoms like diarrhea. In | | | | many vital nutrients are lost too. People with food |
| severe cases there is an anaphylactic response | | | | intolerance typically catch viruses easily, may have |
| where the sufferer's tissues become hypersensitive | | | | dry skin, hair and nail problems and tire easily. Some |
| and swell up to two or three times their normal size | | | | become deficient in iron or calcium and suffer a |
| and the sufferer can go into anaphylactic shock. | | | | further series of health issues like anemia. Many food |
| Immediate medical attention is required. | | | | intolerant people are underweight due to their inability |
| Food intolerance on the other hand is rather slow | | | | to get full nutrient value from foods. Of course with |
| onset reaction, hours, days or even weeks. It is an | | | | diarrhea there is the constant risk of dehydration |
| inability to process a particular food. It is also thought | | | | especially among children and elderly people. |