Intolerance or Allergy? Ambe Wellness

Aren’t these the same thing? They are not the same and here’s why.

Allergies are a reaction by your immune system that your body has identified as an allergen. The body reacts to the substance as if it were fighting a disease-producing microorganism. Symptoms can be immediate or could take a few hours to develop. They can be very serious, very quickly and in extreme cases the reaction can result in anaphylactic shock. If you suspect you have a food allergy, you should seek medical advice from your G.P. for testing.

Intolerances are sensitivities within your digestive system and do not involve the body’s immune system. Intolerances are usually caused by an inability to digest and absorb foodstuffs. Symptoms to a food intolerance can begin as quickly as 30 minutes from eating the offending food; however, many people may take up to 48 hours to develop symptoms. Symptoms can include constipation, bloating,  headaches, fatigue and skin complaints etc.

Trying to pinpoint an offending food by eliminating random foods or just using a food diary can be tricky for this very reason; especially as there are many “hidden foods” that we may not even consider.

Food intolerances do not usually present as life-threatening but can affect every-day life. This can be extremely uncomfortable and limit activities.  Many clients have told me that they “just put up with it” (the symptoms) or try different over the counter medications, which can be very draining.

If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, contact us to see if we can help you.