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Page 1 of 3 Food Allergy, Intolerance or Sensitivity? If you suffer from migraines, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion or joint pain, or are constantly tired and run-down, you may have a food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity. What’s the difference? The reactions caused by food allergies are immediate, even after encountering a small amount of the  allergen; food allergies usually persist for many years, and may be life-threatening. In contrast, with food intolerances or sensitivities, a reaction to the suspect food may take several hours or even the next day to appear. In addition, larger quantities of the suspect food need to be eaten to cause a reaction than with an allergy, also symptoms may go away for periods and then re-emerge, and cravings for suspect foods are very common. Although a sensitivity or intolerance to certain food(s) is not as serious as a food allergy. they have been suggested as a potential factor in conditions such as MS, ME, IBS, migraine, eczema, arthritis and alopecia, among others. But what foods are responsible for what?  Almost any food could cause an adverse reaction in someone, but there are a few usual suspects that are responsible for the vast majority of reactions. These foods include: dairy products, gluten, seafood, eggs, fish, milk, mustard, nuts, and soya. These and other foods have been identified as being factors linked with ‘Leaky Gut Syndrome’ in some, which may be linked to an increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. For more information about leaky gut syndrome, visit: www.leakygut.co.uk www.mold-survivor.com How can you find out if you have a food allergy or intolerance? If you suspect you have a food allergy, it needs to be tested as soon as possible so see your doctor. For information about allergy testing, or for home testing kits visit: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Allergies www.foodintolerancetestbristol.co.uk www.yorktest.com Working it out for yourself Reactions to foods you are intolerant or sensitive to are not as immediate as allergic reactions, so working out which foods trigger your symptoms takes a bit more patience. However, by keeping a detailed food diary, discovering the culprit(s) should be quite straightforward.  All you have to do is record what you eat, and when you get symptoms, and then look for common factors. Start keeping a detailed food diary and use it to record the foods you eat each day and when you eat them (don’t forget to include all snacks and drinks, and be aware that some foods contain a variety of potential triggers: a cheese sandwich, for example, contains dairy, yeast and gluten; a gin and tonic contains citrus, gluten, sugar, yeast and, in most types of tonic water, aspartame). Record any symptoms you experience, as well as the time the symptoms begin. Show your food diary to your doctor or nutritional therapist to help determine which foods may be triggering your symptoms. Useful websites For anyone with a food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity, the Foods Matter website is a comprehensive resource with articles, research and personal histories. See also the Action Against Allergy site for information, advice and links to local allergy doctors in the UK. Finding a Nutritional Therapist  The British Association of Applied Nutritionists and Nutritional Therapists (BANT) is the professional body for nutritional tharapists. Visit their website to find a qualified practitioner in your area: www.bant.org.ukA-Z of Conditions, Possible Food Triggers and Nutritional Terms ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children. Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. Possible food links: Controversial, but some people advise avoiding some types of food additives, such as artificial colourings, some preservatives and refined sugars; and it is generally believed that eating a balanced diet including oily fish (high in omega-3 fatty acids) is beneficial. For more information on ADHD and diet, visit: My child has ADHD does diet help ?  |