In this blog post, you'll learn exactly what a food intolerance is, what symptoms it causes, and how it can be diagnosed. Do you know the difference between an intolerance and an allergy? No? Then read this post to the end, and we'll explain it to you. Happy reading!
Food intolerance manifests itself in the regular occurrence of physical discomfort after consuming certain foods. The symptoms arise because the body lacks the necessary tools to properly process these substances. Affected individuals can get tested if they suspect they have a food intolerance.
A wide variety of food components and ingredients – whether natural or artificial – can trigger an intolerance reaction. However, certain substances are particularly common causes of intolerances. These include: Lactose, gluten, fructose, histamine and glutamate.
Meaning
A person suffers from food intolerances when specific foods or their components cause symptoms that would normally be digested without problems. There are various mechanisms involved. Generally, a food intolerance is diagnosed when the body cannot properly digest and absorb a food component. Instead, it is broken down into byproducts that cause discomfort. The cause is usually an enzyme deficiency or defect. This contrasts with food allergies. In the case of allergies, the body's immune system reacts hypersensitively to the otherwise harmless components of certain foods. Some components do not trigger allergies, but rather so-called pseudo-allergies. The difference lies in the fact that these substances activate the immune system in a different way, but the symptoms are very similar or even identical.
symptom
A food intolerance typically triggers characteristic digestive problems after consuming the offending food. In the long term, it can also lead to weight loss or nutritional deficiencies. Besides general digestive issues, there are also symptoms of food intolerance that extend beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The exact way a food intolerance manifests varies from person to person. Typical symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Belching
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Diarrhea
- weight loss
- constipation
- nausea & Vomit
diagnosis
Nowadays, food intolerances receive significantly more attention than they did a few decades ago. However, this also leads to an overestimation of their prevalence. Appropriate tests can be performed to determine whether the cause of recurring digestive problems is indeed a food intolerance. Only in this way can a reliable diagnosis be made. Examples of tests include the hydrogen breath test or the lactose tolerance test to check for lactose intolerance. If the suspicion is confirmed, patients must adjust their diet so that the triggering substances are no longer consumed.
Difference between allergy and intolerance
You've probably wondered before what the difference is between a allergy and an intolerance - we'll explain it to you here:
There is, in fact, an important difference! In the case of a food intolerance, the immune system is not active. These intolerances usually arise because the body lacks certain enzymes or transport molecules needed to break down or absorb specific food components. These components typically include lactose, fructose, or histamine.
In contrast, an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a non-dangerous foreign substance, such as nuts or pollen.
