Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: What’s The Difference?

Food sensitivities are becoming increasingly common, and many people often use the terms “food allergy” and “food intolerance” interchangeably. However, these two conditions are quite different, both in terms of their underlying mechanisms and the way they impact health. Understanding the differences between food allergies and food intolerances is crucial for anyone looking to manage symptoms effectively and avoid potential health risks.

What Is A Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system response that occurs when the body mistakenly identifies a particular food as harmful. The immune system, which normally protects the body from harmful bacteria and viruses, reacts to harmless proteins in food as though they are dangerous invaders. This triggers the release of chemicals like histamine, which lead to a range of symptoms that can vary from mild to life-threatening.

The most common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, and wheat. For people with food allergies, consuming even a small amount of the offending food can cause a reaction. The symptoms of a food allergy typically develop quickly, within minutes to a couple of hours after eating the food, and may include:

• Hives or rash
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Abdominal pain or nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially fatal reaction that includes difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness)

Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention and is treated with an epinephrine injection (such as an EpiPen). For those with severe food allergies, avoiding the allergen entirely is critical, and carrying an epinephrine auto-injector is often recommended.

What Is Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system. Instead, it occurs when the digestive system is unable to properly break down a certain food. This is often due to a deficiency of specific enzymes or sensitivity to certain chemicals within the food. For example, lactose intolerance, one of the most common forms of food intolerance, occurs when the body lacks enough lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products.

Symptoms of food intolerance usually develop more slowly than those of a food allergy and may take several hours or even days to manifest. Common symptoms of food intolerance include:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances are generally not life-threatening. However, they can significantly impact quality of life if left unmanaged. The severity of symptoms often depends on the amount of the food consumed, with larger quantities leading to more pronounced symptoms.

Key Differences Between Food Allergy And Food Intolerance

While food allergies and food intolerances can both cause discomfort and disrupt daily life, the differences between them are significant. Below are the key distinctions:

1. Involvement Of The Immune System

• Food Allergy: Involves the immune system. The body treats certain food proteins as harmful, triggering an immune response, often with the release of histamines.
• Food Intolerance: Does not involve the immune system. It’s typically due to a digestive issue, such as an inability to break down certain components in food.

2. Severity Of Reactions

• Food Allergy: Can lead to severe, life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis, requiring immediate medical intervention.
• Food Intolerance: Usually causes discomfort but is rarely life-threatening. The symptoms are generally limited to the digestive system and other non-immune-related symptoms like headaches or fatigue.

3. Amount Of Food Required To Cause A Reaction

• Food Allergy: Even a tiny amount of the allergen can trigger a severe reaction.
• Food Intolerance: The severity of symptoms often depends on the quantity of the food consumed. People with food intolerances may be able to eat small amounts of the food without experiencing symptoms.

4. Speed Of Symptoms

• Food Allergy: Symptoms appear quickly, usually within minutes to a few hours of consuming the allergen.
• Food Intolerance: Symptoms often take longer to develop, sometimes appearing hours or even days after consuming the food.

5. Diagnosis

• Food Allergy: Diagnosed through a combination of skin prick tests, blood tests (such as IgE antibody tests), and sometimes food challenges under medical supervision.
• Food Intolerance: Diagnosed by eliminating the suspected food from the diet and then reintroducing it to see if symptoms reappear. Lactose intolerance, for example, can also be diagnosed through a hydrogen breath test.

Examples Of Food Allergies And Food Intolerances

Common Food Allergies

• Peanut allergy: Can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.
• Shellfish allergy: Includes shrimp, crab, and lobster, and can cause respiratory issues, hives, and anaphylaxis.
• Egg allergy: Common in children, it can cause hives, digestive problems, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Common Food Intolerances

• Lactose intolerance: The inability to digest lactose, leading to bloating, gas, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products.
• Gluten intolerance (non-celiac gluten sensitivity): Causes digestive discomfort after consuming gluten-containing foods, but without the autoimmune response seen in celiac disease.
• Histamine intolerance: An inability to break down histamine in certain foods, leading to headaches, hives, or digestive problems.

How To Manage Food Allergies And Intolerances

For food allergies, the most effective strategy is strict avoidance of the allergen. Reading labels, asking questions when dining out, and educating yourself about hidden allergens are essential for managing food allergies. Individuals with severe allergies should carry an EpiPen at all times.

While food allergies can be life-threatening and require strict management, those affected by severe reactions may also need legal support in cases of negligence or improper labeling. If you’ve suffered from a food allergy incident due to someone else’s negligence, consulting a food allergy lawyer like Jory Lange can help you navigate potential legal claims and seek compensation.

For food intolerances, management often involves limiting or avoiding the problematic food. In some cases, supplements (like lactase for lactose intolerance) can help break down the food components and reduce symptoms. Keeping a food diary can be helpful for identifying triggers and managing intolerances effectively.

Conclusion

While food allergies and food intolerances may share some similar symptoms, they are fundamentally different conditions. Food allergies involve the immune system and can lead to dangerous, life-threatening reactions, while food intolerances are usually limited to digestive discomfort and are generally not life-threatening. If you suspect you have either a food allergy or intolerance, it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional to ensure you’re managing the condition effectively.

We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.