Many people don’t know this, but most of the population suffers from gastrointestinal disturbances. This can manifest in different ways, such as gas, heartburn, or stomach aches. Often, these problems are caused by simple things like nutrient deficiencies and dehydration. However, food intolerances and allergies can also affect your digestive issues. Allergies occur when certain foods cause inflammation in your body; a food intolerance is when a portion of food upsets your stomach or causes intestinal pain/discomfort. By understanding the connection between what you eat and how it affects your body, you can take steps to feel better!
Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergies
Many are perplexed to learn that there is a significant distinction between food allergy and food intolerance. Let’s start with what constitutes food intolerance.
Intolerance & Sensitivities Toward Food
You can better comprehend the distinctions between food intolerances and food allergies if you examine their symptoms and effects concerning the body systems they affect. Food intolerances are far more prevalent and don’t involve the immune system. The digestive system is where a food intolerance response happens. It is activated when your body cannot break down food due to an enzyme deficit. Other reasons include:
There is a significant distinction between food allergy and food intolerance.
- For example, some people may be more sensitive to caffeine or other chemicals.
- However, bioavailable chronic oxidative stress and mycotoxin poisoning are the most relevant explanations.
- Extreme aversions to particular meals, such as restrictions on what you can eat or how much, are examples of psychological influences, such as hatred for certain foods.
- Sensitivity to the compounds naturally present in certain raw legumes like lima beans
Food intolerance allows you to eat limited amounts of the issues-causing food without any immediate, dangerous consequences. The effects of the food may not be evident until hours after eating it, which is unlike how an allergic reaction works. Also, these symptoms can last for multiple hours and even carry on into the next day or days. It’s not rare to have an intolerance toward several foods or groups.
Allergies to Food
Food allergies are an immunological response that occurs immediately when you eat a tiny quantity of the food substance. Food intolerance primarily concerns the digestive system, whereas food allergy focuses on your immune system. Your immune system controls your body’s defensive mechanism.
An intolerance to a portion of food happens when your digestive system can’t properly break the food down. With allergies, on the other hand, your immune system goes into overdrive and produces antibodies to “fight off” the allergen. But some people have symptoms after eating certain foods even though they’re not producing antibodies against them.
How Food Intolerance Can Impact Overall Health
Food intolerance symptoms might be mistaken for chronic diseases. Some patients discover they have been suffering for years from conditions that may be treated by eliminating particular foods from their diet. Food intolerance symptoms can resemble other disorders. Therefore it’s critical to seek assistance when looking for the actual reasons behind your discomfort.
Food allergies and intolerances cause a variety of symptoms. They commonly produce gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, dark circles, night sweats, and other persistent issues.
Sensitivities and Allergies Food Testing
Food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities are common in different gastrointestinal issues, especially Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), so testing for any food allergies (known and unknown) or sensitivity you have is recommended. Because how you respond to meals can cause further gut inflammation, determining a diet change strategy is a good place to start. You may repair your microbiome and restore your gut function by eliminating or reducing your food sensitivities after you’ve healed it.
Fruits and vegetables may help to restore your microbiome’s diversity; therefore, if you’re working to repair your microbiome, start by gradually increasing fruits and veggies. Especially those high in polyphenols, bioflavonoids, or fiber promote the beneficial bacteria that create short-chain fatty acids that heal the gut.
You should eliminate food that feeds bacteria, such as sugar, processed flour, alcohol, and too much animal product. Trying to repair your gut might also help eradicate sensitive foods like gluten, dairy products, soybean, corn, and eggs.
Gastro Florida Can Help You Understand Your Gut
Gastro Florida’s team of expert specialists is here to assist you understand the difference between allergies, intolerances and how they impact your gut. Set up an appointment to be examined, diagnosed, and treated; our objective is to serve and support you in maintaining your gut health and wellness journey.
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