What You Need to Know About Food Allergies, Sensitivities, and Intolerances

Did you know that a whopping third of the US population believes they react negatively to certain foods? That’s over 100 million people navigating the tricky terrain of food reactions. In my years of working with patients, I can honestly say this doesn’t surprise me one bit! And hey, as someone who has personally tackled food reactions, I empathize with the rollercoaster of frustration it can be. Understanding food reactions is like piecing together a complex puzzle, and it definitely needs a sharp eye from an experienced practitioner and a proactive patient.

But First…Let’s Talk about Your Immune System & Your Gut

Did you know that a staggering 70-80% of our immune cells hang out in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract? That’s because our immune system is like a superhero, always on the lookout for threats or dangers when substances enter our bodies. Many of these food reactions actually involve an immune response. That means our immune system is shouting “danger” in response to the foods we eat. Keep this in mind as we delve deeper into the world of food reactions. 

The Big Three: Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerances vs. Food Sensitivities

Food Allergies:

Think of these as the body’s immediate immune reactions to certain foods.

• Symptoms: They can be as mild as a rash or as severe as difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include itchy tongue, runny nose, hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, wheezing, or a blocked airway.
• Common culprits: Peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, milk, fish, and shellfish, though many other foods can also be party poopers.

Food Sensitivities:

These reactions can be sneaky, showing up hours or even days later. They’re typically caused by a gastrointestinal imbalance that affects the immune system, like an increase in intestinal permeability.

• Symptoms: They’re as varied as people themselves and depend on the type of food consumed. From migraines to mood swings, weight changes to under-eye circles, and from bloating to excessive sweating, the list goes on.
• Common suspects: Cow’s milk, eggs, gluten, soy, shellfish, and tree nuts.

Food Intolerances:

These are non-immune reactions to certain food components (like lactose, fructose, sucrose, histamines, alcohol, etc.) that happen when our bodies don’t have the right tools (digestive enzymes, stomach acid, bacteria, or nutrients) to break down those food components.

• Symptoms: They can range from flushing to cold or flu-like symptoms, bloating, gas, inflammation, and general discomfort, as the body struggles to process trigger foods.
• Triggers: Dairy products, sulfites, histamines, lectins, preservatives, artificial colors, fillers, flavorings, chocolate, citrus fruits, and acidic foods.

How Do We Tackle Food Reactions?

Food reactions (allergies, sensitivities, and/or intolerances) can lead to a host of negative health effects like systemic inflammation, stress, risk of infection, impaired digestion, nutrient deficiencies, and systemic disease. A comprehensive and personalized Elimination Diet is considered the gold standard for identifying food reactions and can even help improve tolerance in some cases (especially food sensitivities). Teaming up with a VIDA health care practitioner is crucial for identifying and addressing food reactions.