Allergies and Intolerances
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Do you know if you are allergic and/or intolerant to any kind of food?
The terms ‘food allergy’ and ‘food intolerance’ are commonly confused as the symptoms of both conditions may be similar sometimes.
Food allergies
Food allergy derives from an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to foods that are externally recognized by the body as aggressors, or allergens. When the body reacts to an allergen, it releases chemicals called histamines. The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis1, which can be life-threatening.
The most common allergens include: milk, eggs, soy, celery, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, mustard, seafood (fish, shellfish, crustaceans), sulphites and sesame.
Food intolerances
Food intolerances usually involve the digestive system, not the immune system and do not cause anaphylaxis. With intolerances, the metabolism develops an inability to tolerate a certain food, being unable to digest it adequately.
The most common symptoms of food intolerances are digestive difficulties, bloating and abdominal tension, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Most common food intolerances
Lactose intolerance. Its cause is a deficiency in lactase which is the digestive enzyme necessary for the digestion and absorption of lactose, the sugar present in milk and dairy products.
Gluten1 intolerance and celiac disease. Gluten is a protein present in many grains, including wheat, barley and rye. Therefore, it is common in foods such as bread, pasta, pizza and cereal. The precise causes of gluten intolerance are still being researched. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents the proper absorption of some food nutrients (malabsorption). Celiac disease has no cure but can be managed by avoiding all sources of gluten.
In recent years, the number of people – especially children – affected by celiac disease has risen sharply.
###Nickel.
In addition to contact allergy, this heavy metal causes food intolerances as it is present, to varying degrees, in almost all foods. Among these, the richest in nickel are chocolate, dried fruit, legumes, tomatoes and spinach.
DO
1 What is anaphylactic shock?
A ......
- a. substance that causes inflammation of the skin
- b. heart disease
- c. severe allergic reaction
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1 Gluten can be found in unexpected places, often as a result of processing and packaging, but also food ingredients are not always clearly identified on labels.