Food Intolerance


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Reactions to foods that are not food allergies include food intolerances, such as lactose or milk intolerance. Food intolerance is an abnormal response to food which affects the gut and not the immune system. The symptoms can easily resemble those of food allergy and correct diagnosis is essential in order to get the right treatment. Food intolerance is far more prevalent, occurs in a variety of diseases, and is triggered by several different mechanisms that are distinct from the immunological reaction responsible for food allergy. Some other common food intolerances are due to gluten, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts and soya additives.

Symptoms of Food Intolerance

Intolerance to food is actually fairly common. Most individuals suffer at some point in their lives with an unpleasant reaction to something they have eaten. Symptoms of food intolerance include; nausea, stomach pain, gas, cramps, bloating, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea, headaches and irritability or nervousness. Some food intolerances can lead to the onset of migraine headaches. These headaches, when triggered, cause the temporal artery to enlarge. This in turn puts pressure on the nerve cells that encircle the artery causing a release of chemicals. These chemicals cause the artery to swell even further, which leads to pain, inflammation and the onset of the migraine.

Infant Intolerance

Babies can sometimes suffer from a range of different food intolerances as they grow. More often than not, lactose is the culprit. This is due to the insufficient production of enzymes in the digestive system to break down the lactose. However, there are many different types including fruit, carbohydrates and gluten. Although some infants are unlucky enough not to, most grow out of their intolerance as they move into childhood.

Elimination Diets

Elimination diets are an effective method of identifying the foods being consumed that cause food intolerance and eliminating them. Although it can be time consuming taking weeks or even months, once the suspected cause of the intolerance is removed, the symptoms then cease.

Drugs & Food Intolerance

Two of the most common drugs associated with symptoms of food intolerance are aspirin and Ibuprofen. Both are members of a family of drugs known as NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory). This family of drugs is known to increase the flow of molecules through the gut wall. This means that bigger particles, such as food molecules, can get through the gut wall and into the blood. For many people, the side effects of NSAID’s is partly due to an already deteriorated gut lining. A proper healthy diet and exercise not only increases health and well being, but allows the gut to recover.

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