Understanding
intolerances
What is food intolerance?
A food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them according to the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance)
What are the differences between Allergies and Intolerances
A food allergy:
- Is a reaction from your immune system – your immune system mistakenly treats proteins found in food as a threat
- Can trigger various allergy symptoms that come on rapidly
- Is often to particular items – common food allergies in adults are to fish and shellfish and nuts, and in children to milk and eggs as well as to peanuts, other nuts and fish
- Can be serious
A food intolerance:
- Doesn’t involve your immune system – there is no allergic reaction, and it is never life-threatening
- Causes symptoms that come on more slowly, often after many hours
- Only results in symptoms if you consume reasonable amounts of the food (unlike an allergy, where just traces can trigger a reaction)
- Can be caused by many different items
Source: NHS UK