FOOD ALLERGY AND INTOLERANCE TESTING IN TAMPA.
There’s a significant difference between having a food allergy and food intolerance. Food allergies can be life-threatening with severe reactions. Conversely, food intolerances might cause mild to moderate discomfort because of an individual’s sensitivity toward the type of food or chemicals in it.
When you ingest food that you’re allergic to, your body’s antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) react to it and cause a variety of symptoms. These symptoms can be immediate — including shortness of breath and (in some cases) anaphylaxis, or could take several hours to manifest. </span>
Time-delay allergies can cause uncomfortable bowel movements, stomach cramps, itching, hives, and other irritations.
COMMON ALLERGY INVOKING FOODS.
Food allergies vary from person to person, but there are a few common items that can trigger people and cause discomfort or even life-threatening side effects.
A few of these common allergy-invoking foods include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Shellfish
Having one allergy does not necessarily mean you will have another. Doctors can run blood tests to see exactly what you are allergic to, so you can avoid certain foods while enjoying others.
SYMPTOMS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE.
Food intolerance, on the other hand, doesn’t involve the immune system. Individuals might have similar reactions as they would an allergy, but the reaction is caused more by gastrointestinal distress than by antibodies attacking the foreign objects. The symptoms related to food intolerance vary widely and include problems related to digestive disorders, heartburn, headaches, joint pain, skin problems, and behavioral issues.
Food intolerance or sensitivity is different from a food allergy. Food allergies are caused when the body has a reaction to certain items. Food intolerance occur when the body reacts to food negatively, but the immune system is not involved. It often takes time for the food to digest before the intolerance becomes apparent. Common symptoms of food intolerance include:
- Digestive problems or disorders
- Gas, cramps, and bloating
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Heartburn
- Headaches or migarines
- Joint Pain
- Skin disorders
- Behavioral issues
TYPES OF INTOLERANCES FROM FOOD ALLERGIES.
Symptoms of intolerance can last for days after ingesting the food that causes it, which is why many people avoid the food they are intolerant to. Below are a few widely-found food intolerances in people across the country.
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
Lactose intolerance occurs when the body is unable to digest the sugar in milk. Some people are born with lactose intolerance, while others develop it as they age. Most people with lactose intolerance avoid any forms of milk or dairy products to avoid the gastric distress that comes with it.
GLUTEN INTOLERANCE
Gluten intolerance occurs when the body cannot digest gluten found in wheat and other grains. Along with traditional gastric problems, people with gluten allergies often suffer from fatigue and headaches. People who are gluten-intolerant often suffer from Celiac disease, where gluten actually damages the small intestine.
CHEMICAL INTOLERANCE
Chemical intolerance occur when people ingest specific chemicals that disagree with their digestive system. These chemicals might be found in a variety of foods like beer, wine, chocolate, coffee, or cheese. Knowing the exact chemicals that your body reacts to and where they are found can help you avoid them in your diet.
FOOD ADDITIVE INTOLERANCE
Food additive intolerance comes from the consumption of processed foods and foods that use unnatural chemicals and preservatives. People who have this intolerance should avoid food with unnatural chemicals and dyes and try to stick to a natural diet instead.
DIAGNOSE FOOD INTOLERANCE AND SENSITIVITY.
People who suffer from food intolerances and allergies can take an ALCAT test, which tracks more than 450 chemicals and substances. With this level of detail, it’s possible to see exactly what you are allergic or intolerant to so you can create a diet plan that avoids those substances.
ALCAT testing is a way to know exactly what is triggering your body. Often, people try to remove allergens on their own, removing entire food groups from their diet. Instead, this form of testing helps people see exactly what triggers them, taking away the trial-and-error aspects from the diet process.
Food intolerance and allergies change over time. You may develop new allergies as you grow older, which means you will need to get tested throughout your life. This will help you live comfortably and happily without unnecessary gastrointestinal distress.
To protect and maintain your dietary health, it’s important to understand what food items trigger allergies and what items cause food intolerances. This helps you understand what you should avoid if you want to stay healthy in all aspects of your life.
GET TESTED WITH ALCAT.
If you’re worried that the food you eat may be affecting you negatively, contact Matrix Hormones today. We can help identify what triggers negative reactions in your body and develop a plan to help you move forward with better gastrointestinal health
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