Your Body, Your Health

Allergies & Intolerances

Allergies vs. Intolerences

Food allergies and food intolerances are a health concern for many people, and often result in the need to maintain a closely monitored diet, usually determined by a physician or professional dietitian. However, while both related to nutrition, food allergies and food intolerances are actually quite different health conditions.

A food allergy involves an immune response by the body when it comes in contact with the offending food. In essence the body considers the food to be a foreign substance and it produces antibodies to counteract the perceived invader.

A food intolerance is an adverse reaction by the body which does not involve the actual immune system. Lactose intolerance is a good example. Lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products, adversely affects individuals who lack a specific enzyme which breaks this sugar down in the body. Pain and intestinal difficulty may occur as a result, but the actual immune system is not involved.

Prevalence

Food allergies tend to affect infants and young children with more regularity (4-8%), while affecting approximately one to two percent of adults. Any food can pose a problem if one is sensitive to it, but the most common problematic foods are eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, and shellfish.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of both conditions are similar and varied but may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory complications, and skin irritation. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe and potentially fatal reaction to a food allergy which may involve many of the body’s systems. Symptoms may appear within minutes or several hours after exposure. Adrenaline is typically administered to someone with an anaphylactic reaction.

How are food Allergies and Intolerances Treated?

While there are no cures for these conditions, there are treatment options. Your doctor should be consulted if you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance. Special diets may be prescribed to help identify the problem food or foods. Typically, simple avoidance of the offending food(s) is recommended.

Hodgson Mill is committed to providing the highest quality food products possible. We follow extensive and systematic procedures to ensure that the products we produce are as safe as possible, and take great care to minimize the risk of mixing between possible allergic foods or ingredients during production.

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.