Food Allergy Versus Food Intolerance: The Difference

What Is Food Intolerance?

A food intolerance, like a food allergy, may be adverse reaction to a food item. But unlike a food allergy (which is triggered directly by the immune system), a food intolerance is a reaction of the digestive system, and thus no antibodies are involved. Basically, a person may have trouble breaking down a food, perhaps because of enzyme deficiencies or because of chemicals found in the food that are difficult to process.  For example, a lactose intolerance occurs when the gut does not produce the needed enzymes to digest the type of sugars  found in milk produces.

A sit is not a matter of the production of antibodies, a food tolerance can manifest itself the first time the food is ingested. Quantity may be the determining factor-a small amount of a certain food may be tolerated, but  a problem may occur when larger amounts are ingested.  This is different from severe food allergies in which even a tiny amount of food can cause a life-threatening reaction.  

Next time: Food Allergy Versus Food Intolerance:  The Difference

From The Awake! magazine