The Facts About Food Allergy
For someone with a food allergy, eating or swallowing even a tiny amount of a particular food can cause symptoms such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea.
Because the body is reacting to something that is otherwise harmless, this type of allergic reaction is often called a hypersensitivity reaction. Rarely, a severe allergic reaction can cause a life-threatening set of symptoms called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock.
Although about 25% of people believe they have a food allergy, only about 2.5% of adults and about 6-8% of children, mainly younger than 6 years, have true food allergies. The rest have what is known as food intolerance an undesirable reaction to a food that does not involve the immune system.
It is easy to confuse food intolerance with food allergy because they can have similar symptoms. With food intolerance, however, you usually get only mild symptoms such as an upset stomach.
A common example of food intolerance is lactose intolerance a condition in which a person is missing a certain enzyme necessary to digest dairy proteins. The result is loose stools, gas, and nausea after consuming dairy products such as milk or cheese.
Another example of food intolerance is reaction to MSG. MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a white-colored additive used to enhance the flavor of food. It is a fermented mixture of glutamic acid, sodium, and water and is used mainly in Asian cooking. Over the last 30 years, side effects from MSG have been related to its use in Chinese food and referred to as the Chinese restaurant syndrome.
In this syndrome, MSG was suggested as the cause of the symptoms following a Chinese meal. In 1995, a new term was coined, the MSG symptom complex, to include all the reactions that were reported to be related to MSG. These reactions are not a true food allergy, and the exact cause of the reactions is unknown.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an allergen, in this case a food protein.
The white blood cells produce an antibody to this allergen, called immunoglobulin E or IgE. When this antibody comes in contact with the particular food protein, it promotes production and release of certain chemicals called “mediators.” Histamine is an example of a mediator. These mediators act on various parts of the body, mainly the skin, throat, airways, intestines, and heart.
The effects of the mediators on organs and other cells cause the symptoms of the allergic reaction. Any food has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction, but a few foods account for most food allergies.
Generally, people who have allergies react to only a few foods. Occasionally a person who is allergic to one food also may be allergic to other related foods. This is called cross-reaction. People who have a history of other allergies, such as eczema or asthma, are particularly prone to having a reaction to a food. They are also more likely to have a more severe reaction.
By: Alisha Dhamani
About the Author:
Because the body is reacting to something that is otherwise harmless, this type of allergic reaction is often called a hypersensitivity reaction. Rarely, a severe allergic reaction can cause a life-threatening set of symptoms called anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock.
Although about 25% of people believe they have a food allergy, only about 2.5% of adults and about 6-8% of children, mainly younger than 6 years, have true food allergies. The rest have what is known as food intolerance an undesirable reaction to a food that does not involve the immune system.
It is easy to confuse food intolerance with food allergy because they can have similar symptoms. With food intolerance, however, you usually get only mild symptoms such as an upset stomach.
A common example of food intolerance is lactose intolerance a condition in which a person is missing a certain enzyme necessary to digest dairy proteins. The result is loose stools, gas, and nausea after consuming dairy products such as milk or cheese.
Another example of food intolerance is reaction to MSG. MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a white-colored additive used to enhance the flavor of food. It is a fermented mixture of glutamic acid, sodium, and water and is used mainly in Asian cooking. Over the last 30 years, side effects from MSG have been related to its use in Chinese food and referred to as the Chinese restaurant syndrome.
In this syndrome, MSG was suggested as the cause of the symptoms following a Chinese meal. In 1995, a new term was coined, the MSG symptom complex, to include all the reactions that were reported to be related to MSG. These reactions are not a true food allergy, and the exact cause of the reactions is unknown.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an allergen, in this case a food protein.
The white blood cells produce an antibody to this allergen, called immunoglobulin E or IgE. When this antibody comes in contact with the particular food protein, it promotes production and release of certain chemicals called “mediators.” Histamine is an example of a mediator. These mediators act on various parts of the body, mainly the skin, throat, airways, intestines, and heart.
The effects of the mediators on organs and other cells cause the symptoms of the allergic reaction. Any food has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction, but a few foods account for most food allergies.
Generally, people who have allergies react to only a few foods. Occasionally a person who is allergic to one food also may be allergic to other related foods. This is called cross-reaction. People who have a history of other allergies, such as eczema or asthma, are particularly prone to having a reaction to a food. They are also more likely to have a more severe reaction.
By: Alisha Dhamani
About the Author:
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Want To Effectively Handle A Food Allergy?
Having any kind of food allergy can certainly crimp eating habits, but for most, it’s something that is just dealt with without too many problems, especially when the allergy is developed at an early age.
A food allergy or any kind of food intolerance can be mild or severe, and many people are allergic to foods and don’t even realize it. Mild symptoms like an upset stomach or heartburn is common after eating particular kinds of food, but most people don’t equate such as an allergy. However, there’s a difference between a food allergy and food intolerance, and the public in general should know what that is.
The body has an unusual response to an allergy that is caused by the body’s immune system and comes with specific and sometimes extremely uncomfortable symptoms that occur within minutes of eating sensitive foods and include hives and rashes. A reaction may also induce asthma and weakness or lightheadedness, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock.
Excessive swelling in body tissues, including the larynx, which can cut off oxygen supply, causes this condition, and while most people don’t suffer such severe reactions, many people allergic to nuts, especially peanut butter or shellfish can develop these symptoms. The sudden drop in blood pressure can be deadly.
Additional common symptoms also include itching and difficulty swallowing. Nausea, and on occasion, vomiting results, along with abdominal pain.
Food intolerance is not quite the same as a food allergy and is caused not by the immune system, but by other body systems. Symptoms of food intolerance may be gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and stomach cramps. Many babies and young children are allergic to milk and soy products that can lead to colic and poor growth. Almost twenty percent of infantile colic, or chronic crying at night, may be due to those babies allergic to milk or soy products found in most powdered baby formulas.
The most common culprits in adults are shellfish, such as shrimp, crab and lobster, and nuts that grow on trees, like walnuts and acorns. Other foods like fish and some meat are also common allergy sources. Nuts, especially peanuts are to be blamed for more severe allergic reactions in many patients.
If you think you may be suffering from any type of food allergy, first try to limit your intake of such foods and see if that helps relieve symptoms. If you’re not sure what is causing allergic symptoms, a visit to your doctor will more than likely initiate a series of skin-prick or scratch tests which will introduce particular food allergens in minute quantities into your skin to watch for local reactions.
While having a food allergy may at times put a damper on eating habits, millions of people around the world suffer from one sort of or another and lead perfectly happy, normal lives. Once you know what you’re allergic to, just avoiding such foods may relieve symptoms of food allergy, and nothing more is necessary or required.
By: Riley Hendersen
About the Author:
A food allergy or any kind of food intolerance can be mild or severe, and many people are allergic to foods and don’t even realize it. Mild symptoms like an upset stomach or heartburn is common after eating particular kinds of food, but most people don’t equate such as an allergy. However, there’s a difference between a food allergy and food intolerance, and the public in general should know what that is.
The body has an unusual response to an allergy that is caused by the body’s immune system and comes with specific and sometimes extremely uncomfortable symptoms that occur within minutes of eating sensitive foods and include hives and rashes. A reaction may also induce asthma and weakness or lightheadedness, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock.
Excessive swelling in body tissues, including the larynx, which can cut off oxygen supply, causes this condition, and while most people don’t suffer such severe reactions, many people allergic to nuts, especially peanut butter or shellfish can develop these symptoms. The sudden drop in blood pressure can be deadly.
Additional common symptoms also include itching and difficulty swallowing. Nausea, and on occasion, vomiting results, along with abdominal pain.
Food intolerance is not quite the same as a food allergy and is caused not by the immune system, but by other body systems. Symptoms of food intolerance may be gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and stomach cramps. Many babies and young children are allergic to milk and soy products that can lead to colic and poor growth. Almost twenty percent of infantile colic, or chronic crying at night, may be due to those babies allergic to milk or soy products found in most powdered baby formulas.
The most common culprits in adults are shellfish, such as shrimp, crab and lobster, and nuts that grow on trees, like walnuts and acorns. Other foods like fish and some meat are also common allergy sources. Nuts, especially peanuts are to be blamed for more severe allergic reactions in many patients.
If you think you may be suffering from any type of food allergy, first try to limit your intake of such foods and see if that helps relieve symptoms. If you’re not sure what is causing allergic symptoms, a visit to your doctor will more than likely initiate a series of skin-prick or scratch tests which will introduce particular food allergens in minute quantities into your skin to watch for local reactions.
While having a food allergy may at times put a damper on eating habits, millions of people around the world suffer from one sort of or another and lead perfectly happy, normal lives. Once you know what you’re allergic to, just avoiding such foods may relieve symptoms of food allergy, and nothing more is necessary or required.
By: Riley Hendersen
About the Author:
For more information on allergies try visiting http://www.theallergyeffect.com – a website that specializes in providing allergy related tips, advice and resources to including information on food allergy.
Food Intolerances in Dogs
Food intolerances, defined as a dog inability to digest a certain kind of dog food, are far more common in dogs than food allergies. Compare dog food intolerances to allergies: only 10% to 12% of the canine population has allergies while up to 50% could suffer from an intolerance. Nearly half of all dogs are unable to stomach a certain kind of food and could become sick within half an hour of consuming it.
There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.
While milk is not necessary to a dog diet, it can be a treat if given from time to time. However, some dogs cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps with the digestion of lactose, which is found in milk. After weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about 10 per cent of its peak activity. In some animals, diarrhea will occur if more lactose (i.e. milk) is consumed than the pet can digest. This is called “lactose intolerance”. On the contrary, in dogs that are able to tolerate it, milk can be an excellent source of protein and calcium.
A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance. Vitamins and minerals are essential in maintaining tissue and are required for energy. Every time you feed your dog food that he or she cannot stomach, your dog is missing out on these necessary nutrients.
Most dogs do best with a varied diet. Variety helps keep immune systems strong and maintain good health. It also may help prevent food intolerance, obesity, allergies and other problems. Variety may also protect a dog from nutrient deficiencies not yet discovered by science. Many people provide variety by first feeding a dry food that matches the dietary requirements of the breed, age, activity level and overall health. Then they rotate high quality canned or raw foods for protein from a variety of sources.
It is important to identify an intolerance as soon as possible. There are several ingredients in commercial and natural dog food and any one of them could be the cause of the problem. Often there is information in the latest dog food reviews that can help you find a healthy alternative for your dog.
If your dog intolerance is caused by a common ingredient, then you will need to read labels extra carefully before feeding your dog anything. Management of dog food intolerances is relatively simple once the root of the problem is identified.
By: Alan Low
About the Author:
There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.
While milk is not necessary to a dog diet, it can be a treat if given from time to time. However, some dogs cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps with the digestion of lactose, which is found in milk. After weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about 10 per cent of its peak activity. In some animals, diarrhea will occur if more lactose (i.e. milk) is consumed than the pet can digest. This is called “lactose intolerance”. On the contrary, in dogs that are able to tolerate it, milk can be an excellent source of protein and calcium.
A dog may develop intolerance to foods that they have been eating for years. Closely monitoring your dog diet is the best way to manage an intolerance. Vitamins and minerals are essential in maintaining tissue and are required for energy. Every time you feed your dog food that he or she cannot stomach, your dog is missing out on these necessary nutrients.
Most dogs do best with a varied diet. Variety helps keep immune systems strong and maintain good health. It also may help prevent food intolerance, obesity, allergies and other problems. Variety may also protect a dog from nutrient deficiencies not yet discovered by science. Many people provide variety by first feeding a dry food that matches the dietary requirements of the breed, age, activity level and overall health. Then they rotate high quality canned or raw foods for protein from a variety of sources.
It is important to identify an intolerance as soon as possible. There are several ingredients in commercial and natural dog food and any one of them could be the cause of the problem. Often there is information in the latest dog food reviews that can help you find a healthy alternative for your dog.
If your dog intolerance is caused by a common ingredient, then you will need to read labels extra carefully before feeding your dog anything. Management of dog food intolerances is relatively simple once the root of the problem is identified.
By: Alan Low
About the Author:
I have studied the topic of dog allergies for about ten years. My goal is to help the dog owners to have better understanding of the treatment options in treating dog allergies. Find out more information about food allergies in dogs at my site.
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