08/05/2025
Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy:
What’s the Difference?
Knowing the difference and getting tested can help you manage your health better!
🌿 Food Intolerance -What happens in your body?
When you have an intolerance, undigested food particles can leak into your bloodstream through a compromised gut lining (leaky gut). Your immune system may mistakenly see these particles as threats, leading to a response that causes inflammation and digestive discomfort. This process is typically non-immune mediated but involves poor digestion and gut health.
Symptoms:
Bloating
Gas
Stomach pain or cramping
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea
Fatigue
Headaches
Skin issues like eczema or rashes
Joint pain or inflammation
Mood changes or brain fog
Causes:
Poor digestion
Leaky gut
Microbiome imbalance
Inflammation
Eating large quantities or frequent consumption of certain foods
Is it forever?
Usually treatable! Improving gut health through diet, supplements, and lifestyle can help reduce or eliminate intolerance.
Can I test for it?
Yes! I can test you for food intolerances with a simple pinprick blood test.
⚠️ Food Allergy - What happens in your body?
In an allergy, your immune system overreacts to a specific food protein. Instead of just digesting the food, your immune system mistakenly identifies it as a dangerous invader and releases chemicals like histamine. This immune response can happen quickly and intensely.
Symptoms:
Hives or skin rashes
Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face
Difficulty breathing or wheezing
Coughing or wheezing
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Dizziness or fainting
Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction requiring emergency treatment)
Causes:
Immune response to specific proteins in foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs)
Usually lifelong, especially if allergic to common allergens
Is it forever?
Often lifelong, but some children outgrow certain food allergies.
Can I test for it?
Yes! I can also test you for food allergies with a simple blood test.
🔍 Knowing the difference and getting tested can help you manage your symptoms