The Science of Food Hypersensitivity

 

The term food hypersensitivity refers to all ‘bad’ reactions to food intake. This includes both food allergy and intolerance. With a huge increase in focus on nutrition and diet, there can often be some confusion between having a food allergy versus a food intolerance.

 

So what is the difference?

 

A food intolerance describes food hypersensitivities other than coeliac disease and food allergy. This is non allergic and it does not involve the immune system. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, flatulence, bloating, hives, headaches and joint pain. The symptoms of a food intolerance usually do not occur immediately nor are they life threatening. This may include intolerance to lactose, gluten or food additives.

 

How is a food intolerance diagnosed?

 

It is essential to discuss these symptoms with a doctor who will take a detailed history. The only real way to diagnose a food intolerance is by avoiding the suspected food and then reintroducing it gradually while monitoring symptoms.  If certain food groups are being avoided, it is important that these nutrients are included in the diet in another way to achieve a balanced and healthy diet. It is useful to discuss this with a GP who may refer on to a dietitian.

 

Remember that self- diagnosis is extremely risky and can mean cutting out safe and nutritious food!

 

A food allergy is an immune response launched by the human body to a food item that is normally harmless. The human body wrongly thinks that a protein in the food is dangerous and launches a fighting immune response. This reaction may include; hives, facial swelling, vomiting, eczema and breathing difficulties. This usually occurs within 30 minutes of food digestion.

 

            How is a food allergy diagnosed?

 

Food allergy should always be diagnosed by a registered health professional.

A detailed clinical history of symptoms, background and family history will be taken. This will then be followed by a blood test which tests for specific antibodies.  A skin prick test may be carried out under medical supervision.  The skin is pricked and a small amount of the allergen suspected as the cause of the reaction is placed on the skin to determine if a reaction occurs.

Dietary exclusion may be the only option for certain types of food allergies and this should be done with consultation from a registered dietitian. If certain foods are being avoided in the diet, it is important that these nutrients are included in the diet in another way to achieve a balanced and healthy diet.

 

Complementary and alternative medicine allergy testing

 

There is a myriad of commercial tests available in the market and in health food stores which claim to diagnose food allergy and intolerance. These include; IgG blood tests, pulse tests, electrodermal tests, kinesiology, hair analysis, leucotoxic and cytotoxic testing. These should all be avoided as they have no scientific evidence to support them