How to Recognize Food Allergy and Intolerance?

In the last post on food allergies and hypersensitivity, I tried to explain what they are and what the difference between them is (you can read more about it HERE). However, everyone involved in this topic knows how wide and complex the problem is. That is why I am coming to you with one more article, this time on identifying food allergies and intolerances. Their symptoms are very similar and concern mainly the digestive system and skin problems. It is therefore difficult to distinguish between them and may lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

When it comes to allergies, the symptoms may begin immediately, within hours, or even up to several days after we’ve eaten the food with a potential allergen. The most common symptoms include problems related to the digestive system (flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting), dermatological problems (acne, erythema, atopic dermatitis), headaches, watery eyes, swelling, as well as body weakness and a depressed mood.

Food intolerance can manifest itself as abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, infections, or rash. In the case of intolerance, symptoms usually become apparent after a few days.

 

 

How Is a Food Allergy / Intolerance Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of food allergies includes a thorough interview, laboratory methods and the use of elimination diets.

When obtaining medical history, attention should be paid to the amount, frequency and composition of food. It can also be very helpful to keep a food diary, i.e. to write down all the food you eat and note any symptoms that follow. 

Other diagnostic methods also include skin prick tests (the condition you must meet is not taking or discontinuing antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids or antidepressants), as well as the determination of IgE antibodies in the blood.

If the above-mentioned methods do not allow for accurate diagnosis, then provocation tests are used. There are many types of trials, but the most reliable and valued one is the double-blind placebo-controlled trial, the so-called “gold standard”. In this case, the allergen is given in specially marked capsules, while neither the patient nor the doctor knows what allergen is being administered.

One of the diagnostic methods is also the elimination diet. It consists in excluding a specific allergen from the diet for at least 4 weeks. This method requires great accuracy in following the recommendations and avoiding the so-called allergens hidden e.g. in other products. For this reason, this method should be supervised by a dietitian who will make sure which products are permitted and, despite excluding certain ingredients, create a properly balanced diet.

In the diagnosis of food intolerance, as in the case of allergies, thorough medical history, which takes into account the occurrence of symptoms after consuming specific products, is crucial.

Since intolerance can be caused by various mechanisms, diagnosis depends on the type of intolerance present. The most frequently used methods are breathing tests (e.g. in the case of lactose intolerance), stool tests, as well as the aforementioned double-blind placebo-controlled test.

 

 

What to Do After Diagnosing a Food Allergy / Intolerance?

After you’ve been diagnosed with food hypersensitivity, the only proven method of treatment is the elimination of the allergenic component from the diet. Parents and children who develop hypersensitivity should pay special attention to education in this area. 

It is very important to avoid nutritional deficiencies after the elimination of a specific ingredient. The exclusion of basic food products, such as eggs, nuts, vegetables and fruit, is associated with a deficiency of vitamins (A, D, B vitamins) and minerals (calcium, iron, zinc). For this reason, it is important to implement alternative products that will ensure that the body is supplied with all the necessary nutrients. For example, in the case of allergy to cow’s milk protein, it is worth taking care of other sources of calcium, such as plant drinks enriched with calcium, sesame, chia seeds, almonds, green vegetables (Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli). If it is necessary to cut out some ingredients from the diet, it is worth consulting a doctor and a dietitian.:)

It is important to remember that allergy sufferers have greater problems with immunity. The abnormal reaction of the immune system affects the functioning of the entire body.

It is already common knowledge that nutrition affects immunity, therefore, it is especially worth taking care of a proper diet in the autumn and winter, when we are exposed to an increased risk of disease. You can read more about strengthening your immunity HERE.

Don’t forget that proper functioning of the entire body depends on the quality of food and the content of key ingredients in it. 🙂

 

Bibliography:

1. Gargano D, Appanna R, Santonicola A, De Bartolomeis F, Stellato C, Cianferoni A, Casolaro V, Iovino P. Food Allergy and Intolerance: A Narrative Review on Nutritional Concerns. Nutrients. 2021 May 13;13(5):1638.  
2. Hon E, Gupta SK. Gastrointestinal Food Allergies and Intolerances. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;50(1):41-57.
3. Małgorzewicz S., Wasilewska E. Diagnostyka niepożądanych reakcji na pokarm. Forum Zaburzeń Metabolicznych 2016;7(2):62-68. 
4. Peters RL, Krawiec M, Koplin JJ, Santos AF. Update on food allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2021 May;32(4):647-657.
5. Shkembi B, Huppertz T. Calcium Absorption from Food Products: Food Matrix Effects. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 30;14(1):180.