Food Intolerance: Is What I'm Eating Hurting Me?


By Stacey Munro, ND


defi nes food intolerance as reactions which are not regulated by the immune system, such as lactose intolerance (lack of an en- zyme to digest lactose, a milk sugar) or reactions to food additives like sulfi tes or artifi cial colors. Food allergy, in contrast, causes immediate and possibly life-threatening reactions by the immune system. The World Allergy Organization defi nition of food intoler- ance is not consistent with how the term is used among natural health practitioners. For the purpose of this article, we will defi ne food intolerance and sensitivity as non-allergic responses of the body to ingested food, which involve the immune system.


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Celiac disease (CD) is a form of food intolerance, as it is not a true allergy to gluten. In CD, the immune system produces antibodies to gluten, which attack the cells of the body. This is the most serious form of food intolerance and requires life-long avoidance of gluten. The prevalence of CD in the United States is estimated at around 1%, which is 1 person out of 100 people. While having a fi rst degree relative with CD increases the chances of developing the condition to 20% or more, it is still fairly rare.


Food Allergies Food allergies are estimated to affect 4% of the U.S. popula- tion, the majority being young children. Food allergy causes an immediate-hypersensitivity response by the immune system. This is characterized by production of IgE, which is an immunoglobulin or antibody. Antibodies target antigens, which are toxins or other foreign substances that cause an immune reaction in the body. IgE triggers a massive release of histamine and other infl ammatory chemicals. These chemicals have the specifi c action to increase blood fl ow and to aid the body in ridding itself of foreign sub- stances. Symptoms of food allergy include hives, swelling of the tongue or lips, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Anaphylactic shock, the most severe allergic reaction, requires immediate ad- ministration of epinephrine and can cause death if not treated.


Food Intolerance Food intolerance, or sensitivity, is more common than food


allergy. It is hard to estimate how common because there are multiple pathways of the immune system that are involved. The symptoms of food sensitivity vary. Digestive symptoms include


20 Natural Nutmeg - April 2017


ood intolerance and sensitivity are terms used interchange- ably when referring to troublesome, but non-life threatening responses to ingested food. The World Allergy Organization


diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating. Congestion, post-nasal drip, eczema, asthma, joint pain, fatigue, and headaches are also common. Symptoms may come and go, making them hard to pinpoint. Antibodies such as IgG and IgA form immune com- plexes with food proteins and trigger infl ammatory reactions in the body. Symptoms can develop within a few hours to a couple of days. Food intolerance testing has been used for many years by naturopathic physicians and other natural health practitioners as a reliable indicator of foods causing adverse reactions in the body. This is especially true when testing for CD or food allergies are negative.


Common Symptoms of Food Intolerance • Diarrhea • Constipation • Bloating • Flatulence • Headaches • Joint and muscle pain • Eczema • Allergy symptoms • Asthma • Fatigue


Common food intolerances include wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs,


corn, and soy. Most of the time there are reactions to multiple foods. It is not uncommon to see elevated antibodies to tomato, citrus, nuts, peanut, yeast, grains, coffee, and even protein foods such as chicken, beef, and seafood. Most food intolerance or sen- sitivity tests offer panels of 90 or more foods.


Common Food Intolerances • Wheat/ gluten • Cow dairy • Eggs • Corn • Soy


Elevated Food Reactions and “Leaky Gut” Antibodies to food may be elevated due to “leaky gut”. Leaky


gut refers to dysfunction of the barrier function of our digestive tract, which separates the contents of the stomach and intestines from the interior of the body and blood vessels. Picture the diges-


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