There are three main types of adverse food reactions in people: Food Allergies, Food Sensitivities, and Food Intolerances. These reactions can be categorized into two different categories: Immune-Mediated or Non-Immune Mediated.
Immune-Mediated
Food Allergies are what people most commonly think about when it comes to adverse food reactions. These are IgE antibody-based – and the result can be pretty severe. Think of hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis (yikes!). Some common food allergens are peanuts, wheat, soy, milk, fish, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Food Sensitivities in people, however, don’t produce as significant nor as severe symptoms. Some individuals with food sensitivities experience gastrointestinal issues (like diarrhea) or excess mucus production and sinus issues. Food Sensitivities can even cause vague symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, fevers, and pain. These symptoms are caused by mediators -like histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins- that is a product of your immune system. Research has found that food sensitivities are connected to chronic conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraines, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue. Food sensitivities also have been found to play a role in auto-immune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative Colitis.
Non-Immune Mediated
Ever eat that big bowl of ice cream and have immediate gas or abdominal pain? You might be lactose intolerant, which happens when your body produces very little to NONE of the lactase enzyme. Lactose is the main form of sugar found in dairy products. When we consume lactose with little or no lactase available, uncomfortable symptoms (like bloating, cramping, and diarrhea) can often occur. Instead of being digested by our bodies, the lactose is digested by the bacteria found in your gut. These bacteria then produce by-products like hydrogen and methane gas. Lactose intolerance is an example of a Non-Immune Meditated reaction to food.
