Food intolerance

Food intolerance is a detrimental reaction, often delayed, to a food, beverage, food additive, or compound found in foods that produces symptoms in one or more body organs and systems, but generally refers to reactions other than food allergy. Food hypersensitivity is used to refer broadly to both food intolerances and food allergies.

Food intolerances can be classified according to their mechanism. Intolerance can result from the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance, as in hereditary fructose intolerance. It may be a result of an abnormality in the body's ability to absorb nutrients, as occurs in fructose malabsorption. Food intolerance reactions can occur to naturally occurring chemicals in foods, as in salicylate sensitivity. Drugs sourced from plants, such as aspirin, can also cause these kinds of reactions.

Causes

Food intolerance can occur when the body cannot properly digest certain foods. This can happen for several reasons:

• Enzyme deficiencies or lack of enzymes: For example, lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose found in milk and other dairy products.
• Sensitivity to food additives: Some people have digestive reactions and other symptoms after eating certain food additives. For example, sulfites used to preserve dried fruit, canned goods, and wine can trigger asthma attacks in sensitive people.
• Recurring stress or psychological factors: Sometimes the mere thought of a food may make a person sick. The reason is not fully understood.
• Celiac disease: Celiac disease has some features of a true food allergy because it involves the immune system. However, symptoms are mostly gastrointestinal, and people with celiac disease are not at risk of anaphylaxis. This chronic digestive condition is triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains.

Symptoms

Symptoms of food intolerance can include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Gas, cramps, or bloating
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Irritability or nervousness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of food intolerance can include skin prick tests, blood tests, elimination diets, and oral food challenges.

Treatment

Treatment includes changes in diet, medication, and lifestyle to avoid triggers.

See also

• Food allergy
• Fructose malabsorption
• Lactose intolerance
• Celiac disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome

References

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