If you suffer from immediate and acute symptoms it is more likely that you have an allergy. If you are suffering from extreme reactions such as loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, tightness of airways or anaphylaxis you should seek medical attention immediately.

Many food intolerances/sensitivities present symptoms as digestive issues such as bloating, change of bowel movements, loose stools, diarrhoea or IBS. More often, clients find that the intolerance tests and following elimination diet help them reduce or prevent symptoms from problem items.

Intolerances usually present after a longer period of time and are usually less severe than allergy symptoms.

Rapid inflammation after contact with a trigger item(s) is usually a sign of an allergy as this is the body’s immune response. Severe inflammation can be dangerous and if this has or does occur you should contact your medical practitioner.

Intolerances can occur to items that are in the diet regularly. Sometimes it is the body’s way of telling you that you are eating too much of a particular food group.

Both allergies and intolerances can occur from non-food items within your environment. If the reaction is more severe and fast acting it is more likely to be an allergy, if symptoms occur more slowly and are less severe it is more likely to be an intolerance.