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Food Allergies Series "2": Food Allergy VS Food Intolerance

Food allergies and intolerances are often linked, but there’s a clear difference between the two conditions. The diagnosis of food allergies is often problematic, because food intolerances, also known as food sensitivities, are frequently confused with food allergy symptoms.




Difference Between Food Allergies & Food Intolerance



A food allergy is the immune system's response to a disagreeable food.

When the body senses a particular protein in a food that may be harmful, the immune system protects the body through histamine production. With other words, food allergy triggers an immunological reaction to a consumed allergen, producing histamine to protect itself. Histamine causes allergy symptoms such as hives, coughing and wheezing. Once this happens, the body is now "programmed" to show the immunologic histamine reaction whenever the allergen food enters the body again.


What Is an Allergic Reaction?

Allergic reaction symptoms appear between a few minutes and up to two hours after consumption of the allergen and may include:

  • vomiting

  • diarrhea

  • abdominal cramps

  • flushed skin, rash or hives

  • tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth

  • swelling of the tongue, lip, throat or face

  • difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing

  • lightheadedness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness



A food intolerance is the digestive system’s response to a disagreeable food.

Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance produces a non-immunological reaction. For example, when a person has digestive issues after drinking cow’s milk because he or she is unable to digest the sugar lactose — this is a food intolerance.

  • Most common types of food intolerance are gluten, A1 casein and lactose.

  • Other common food intolerances are food coloring, flavoring and preservatives.

  • Sulfites used in dried fruits, canned goods and wine can trigger inflammatory reaction and migraine.


If you struggle with an unidentified food allergy or sensitivity, please be aware that your body will constantly be sending out inflammatory responses which may result in developing:

  • chronic pain

  • arthritis

  • asthma

  • nutrient deficiencies

  • mood disorders

  • skin conditions

  • autoimmune disorders

  • cognitive disorders

  • learning disabilities

  • insomnia

  • weight gain

  • migraines

  • kidney and gallbladder problems



Even though food allergies may pose risk of allergic reactions even as severe as death, there is no current cure for food allergies. They can only be managed by allergen avoidance, or reduced development of food allergy symptoms through gut microbiota enhancing and immune system boosting supplements.


In the next "Blog Post," we shall talk about food allergy avoidance and treatments. Stay tuned.



Gourmet COMFORT KETO prepared meals take food allergies into consideration. Just let us know about your food allergies at the time of your order so that we can adjust your meals to exclude critical food items effecting you!






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