Food Intolerance and Food Sensitivity
Bringing innovation at Raigad – We are the first hospital lab to start food intolerance test called ‘Genarray’ based on Microarray Technology. The technology originally invented for studying DNA and gene expression is now being exploited to practical diagnostic tests for early detection of food intolerances by measuring food specific IgG levels in blood. With the imminent availability of the sensitive technology in our hospital we can now diagnose food intolerance to 200 specific foods in patients presenting with various symptoms from general lethary, weight gain, dermatitis, arthritis to irritable bowel syndrome.
Food intolerance and Allergy: Food allergies and food intolerances overlap considerably. Intolerances are negative reactions to food that do not involve the immune system, such as lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Food intolerance is an exaggerated or abnormal physical reaction to a food or food additive caused by some chemical or enzyme deficiency in the body. While a food intolerance can make you miserable, food allergies are generally more dangerous requiring immediate medical attention.
Causes of food intolerance: Several factors may cause a person to have an adverse reaction to food. Sometimes a person’s body will react to chemicals found naturally in foods. For example: Some people get headache after eating a certain type of cheese and other foods containing tyramine. Psychological factors play a significant role in food intolerance.
Carbohydrate intolerance: Sucrose, fructose, milk, sugar, lactose, or glucose are problems for many people digesting these compounds although carbohydrates furnish most of the energy needed in a healthy diet.
Celiac disease: This disorder is caused by an intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat and other grains. In celiac disease, the cells lining the small intestine are damaged and prevent the normal absorption of food constituents, particularly fats. Celiac disease involves an immune response but does not involve IgE, an antibody responsible for allergic reaction. Common symptoms are bloating and gas.
Toxicological reactions and food poisoning: Foods may contain toxins that are naturally part of the food or that were added by mistake during manufacturing, shipping or handling. For instance, certain fish like tuna or mackerel contain histadine which is converted to histamine with improper storage and if consumed can cause adverse reactions.
Food poisoning, on the other hand, results from contamination of food with bacteria or other micro organisms.
Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and unconsciousness.
Pharmacological effects: Some foods produce symptoms that resemble reaction to drugs. For example, caffeine found in coffee, tea and other products may cause a rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness and other effects.
Psychological reactions: Psychological factors play a role in food intolerance, causing people to react to a particular food because of smell, presentation and memories.
Symptoms of food intolerance: Food intolerance can cause a surprisingly wide variety of symptoms. However, certain features concerning the timing and occurrence of symptoms are helpful when trying to identify possible causes.
Symptoms are usually multiple, caused or made worse by food intolerance.
Respiratory: Asthma, rhinitis, glue ear.
Gastro – intestinal: Infantile colic or colitis, Crohn’s disease, recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome.
Skin: Eczema, Urticaria.
Nervous System: Headache, migraine, hyperactivity.
Heart: Palpitations.
Musculo skeletal: Unexplained joint pain, some kinds of arthritis, unexplained muscle pain.
Psychiatric: Somatisation disorder, fatigue, hypersomnia.
In practice, when food intolerance is involved, such conditions rarely exist alone, for example, a typical sufferer may have migraine, unexplained fatigue, bloating, abdominal pain along with muscle and joint pain.
Food intolerance – The common culprits: The foods that tend to cause intolerance reactions in sensitive people include.
Dairy products, including milk, cheese and yogurt.
Chocolate.
Egg – particularly egg white.
Flavour enhancers such as MSG (Monosodium glutamate)
Food additives.
Strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes.
Wine – particularly red wine.
What is the treatment –
Once the offending food is identified by high levels of IgG using this sensitive technology, food intolerance can be managed by cutting the food out of one’s diet
For example : Babies or children with a lactose intolerance can be given alternative soya milk, almond milk, rice milk or hypo allergenic milk formula instead of cow’s milk.
Adults may sometimes be able to tolerate small amount of offending foods, but should experiment to work out alternative suitable diet to avoid symptoms and nutrient deficiencies.