Food Intolerance: FAQs (2)
What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
An allergy causes a very specific immunological reaction in the body that can be observed and can be diagnosed by doctors using various tests.
Food intolerance does not cause this type of reaction and cannot be tested for in the same way. This lack of a specific immune reaction and the inability to test "scientifically" has led some doctors to deny the existence of food intolerance.
One of the big differences between food allergy and food intolerance is that allergic reactions can, for some people, lead to an anaphylactic reaction and these reactions, if not treated speedily, can lead to death.
Whilst a food intolerance is unlikely to cause an anaphylactic reaction it can cause extreme reactions that lead to physical and mental health problems and greatly impair the quality of life.
Whilst the medical profession may find it useful to differentiate between food allergy and food intolerance, I find the distinction particularly unhelpful. My own view is that a food allergy is a form of food intolerance it just happens to be one form that can be identified by tests (although this is not always the case).
What causes food intolerance?
There is no simple answer to this.
Many reasons have been put forward including the lack of a particular enzyme, that it is inherited, induced by stress or illness, the result of an impaired immune system, environmental pollution... but no one knows for definite.
I suspect that there will never be a single answer as it seems likely that different forms of food intolerance will be found to be triggered by different factors.
You can find out more in Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.