| Eating is one of the many enjoyable human | | | | cause of food intolerance. Popular among these is the |
| experiences. Most of us relish the taste of | | | | flavor enhancer MSG which can cause dizziness, |
| certain foods and this pleasurable event | | | | headaches, chest lightness and a tingling sensation in |
| becomes even more unforgettable in the company | | | | some susceptible individuals -- a condition known as |
| of friends or loved ones. | | | | the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome. |
| In the course of eating, however, some people | | | | "Some people have mild intolerance to |
| develop unpleasant symptoms depending on | | | | vegetables - especially peas and broccoli, which cause |
| the kind of food they eat. These people are not | | | | intestinal gas. Others experience |
| really abnormal; rather they are experiencing a certain | | | | indigestion and diarrhea when they |
| degree of food sensitivity which a few individuals | | | | consume mushrooms and certain wines," |
| have. This condition is commonly referred to as food | | | | Davis added. |
| intolerance or food allergy. | | | | In food allergy, the susceptible person's immune |
| Few people understand the true nature of food | | | | system reacts differently to an otherwise |
| allergies mainly because the facts have been | | | | harmless food by producing antibodies. These |
| distorted by popular "health" books that | | | | antibodies attack the food as if it were a deadly |
| blame certain foods for a host of ills. Sugar, for | | | | microbe and are responsible for the release of |
| instance, is mistakenly blamed for heart disease, | | | | histamine and other chemicals into the body which |
| ulcers, diabetes and hypoglycemia when, in fact, | | | | produce the all too familiar signs of allergy. |
| natural foods with high concentrations of sugar are | | | | "A true food allergy produces a set of specific |
| among the most nutritious. | | | | allergic symptoms, and this relationship can be |
| Another scapegoat is monosodium glutamate | | | | repeatedly demonstrated. Classic symptoms are |
| (MSG) which critics wrongly accuse of | | | | abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, cramps, |
| producing depression, behavioral problems, loss | | | | hives, eczema, swelling of the eyes, lips, face and |
| of bladder control and Alzheimer's disease. In | | | | tongue, and occasionally, hay fever-like reactions. |
| reality, intolerance to MSG happens in very few | | | | Foods most often incriminated include milk, |
| people and is more likely to occur if this flavor | | | | eggs, nuts, fish or shellfish, chocolate, wheat, corn, |
| enhancer is mixed with soup. How then do we | | | | berries, peas, beans and gum arable, a thickener used |
| distinguish a real food allergy or intolerance? | | | | in processed foods," explained Davis. |
| "Food intolerance and food allergy are often | | | | The problem of food allergy, however, is not as |
| confused but are quite distinct: those with | | | | widespread as some food faddists and quacks want |
| intolerance lack certain enzymes needed for | | | | us to believe. Many people mistakenly assume |
| digestion, while those with allergy have an antibody | | | | that they are allergic to something when they are |
| response," according to Dr. William J. | | | | not. This limits their food choices and spells bad |
| Davis in “The Columbia University College of | | | | nutrition. |
| Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical | | | | "Fewer than 2 percent of us are allergic to |
| Guide." | | | | foods - most often to peanuts or to shrimp or crab. |
| One special example of food intolerance is | | | | That small percentage includes everyone allergic to |
| lactose intolerance, a problem which affects about 65 | | | | eggs, milk, fish, nuts, peas and beans, clams and |
| million Americans and most peoples of the | | | | oysters. Allergies to edibles of any other kind are |
| world, especially Asians, Africans and Polynesians. This | | | | rare. But that hasn't stopped millions of us from |
| disorder is characterized by the absence of an | | | | swearing something's wrong after we eat,” |
| intestinal enzyme called lactase which is needed to | | | | said Mary Roach, contributing editor of In Health |
| digest lactose, one of the sugars in milk. | | | | magazine in her article, “The Allergist's Best |
| Those who lack this enzyme suffer from abdominal | | | | Shot.” |
| cramps, gas and diarrhea whenever they take milk or | | | | There is no way to prevent food allergies except to |
| milk products. Strictly speaking, however, they are | | | | avoid the foods you are allergic to. If you haven't |
| not suffering from an allergic reaction. | | | | identified the source of your problem, quick relief |
| The additives that add color, preserves and | | | | from the uncomfortable symptoms of allergy can be |
| enhance the flavor of food are another common | | | | obtained by taking over-the-counter antihistamines. |