Not all foods are good for everyone. Even ingredients that we generally consider healthy can sometimes cause discomfort, illness, and in the worst cases, fatal reactions. We sometimes throw around words like sensitivity, intolerance and allergy like they’re interchangeable, but considering the potentially serious stakes, it’s important to be able to tell the difference (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/food-allergy-vs-intolerance-vs-sensitivity-whats-the-difference/).
Sensitivity just means you have a reaction to a certain ingredient or chemical. It’s not necessarily an attack from your immune system, although it can be. It may cause digestive problems. You can be sensitive to gluten without having celiac disease. Not quite the same, though sometimes described as sensitivity, some people who are autistic or similar can struggle with certain textures or smells in food.
Intolerances are stronger than sensitivities. Culprits may include lactose, fructose, histamine or glucose. Symptoms vary but may include bloating, diarrhea, headaches or rashes. Gluten intolerance resembles celiac disease without the harm to the small intestine. Intolerances are often caused by digestive issues, such as lacking a necessary enzyme.
Allergies are the most dangerous reaction. They occur when immunoglobulin E (IgE) detects the protein in the offending food and decides it’s a threat, releasing anti-inflammatories like histamine to fight it. The big eight allergies are cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, fish, soy and wheat. They can cause itchiness, vomiting, swelling, low blood pressure and breathing trouble, among other symptoms. Anaphylaxis is the potentially deadly form.
So, when you have an adverse reaction to food, how can you tell whether it’s sensitivity, intolerance or allergy? Doctors and testing are the most accurate form of diagnosis, but there are things you can observe yourself.
For example, allergies are rapid reactions. You may have symptoms within minutes, and certainly within a few hours. Intolerances can be immediate, but they may take hours or even days to appear. Sensitivities may also take days. Of course, the nature and severity of symptoms is important. Just a stomachache may be an intolerance; if you stop breathing, you’re allergic.
Identifying your reaction is the first step to management. If you’re lactose intolerant, you may occasionally indulge in some cheese because you decide the discomfort is worth it. If you’re allergic, you probably won’t risk anaphylaxis. Decisions about foods to avoid, and whether you need to carry a medical alert bracelet or epinephrine, depend on accurate diagnosis.
