Thursday, May 17, 2007

75. Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance

The difference between a food allergy and a is Food intolerance is that the first is an immune system response and the second is a digestive system response, so not as serious. Asn allergy occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food (usually a protein) as harmful, and so creates a defense system of antibodies to fight it. Allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are battling the ‘invading’ food. The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds), fish, and shellfish, eggs, milk, soy products and wheat.


A Food Intolerance occurs when something in a food irritates the digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or break the food down. The most common food intolerance is to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products.

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