Food allergy or intolerance?
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
About 2 of a 100 people have a food allergy but many more have food intolerances. Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a particular food or ingredient, which occurs every time the food is eaten. A food allergy is an allergic reaction to the food.
An allergy produces symptom such as swelling of lips, which usually develops within minutes of eating the food, while intolerance produces more general symptoms, such as indigestion and bloating, which can develop several hours after eating. The symptoms of a food allergy can be life threatening, whereas the symptoms of a food intolerance are unpleasant but never immediately life threatening
Why does food intolerance occur?
According to pharmacist Eamonn Brady, food intolerance is when the body is unable to deal with a certain foodstuff, usually because it doesn't produce enough of the chemical or enzyme needed to properly digest that particular food. One of the most common intolerances is to cow's milk, which contains a certain type of sugar called lactose.
Symptoms of food intolerance
There are many conditions linked to food intolerance. These include arthritis, asthma, ADHD, bronchitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, coeliac disease, constipation, diarrhoea, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia, itchy skin problems and nasal congestion. While many of these problems are genetic and in many cases have no link to food intolerance, there are some cases where food intolerance exacerbates or is even the cause of the problem. Food intolerance is can develop slowly, the initial symptoms being lack of energy, brain fog and a general feeling of being unwell which can persist for years.
Food intolerance test
Whelehans Food Intolerance Testing Service checks for food intolerance to 59 of the most common causes of food intolerance. If a patient tests positive, to certain foods, the simple act of eliminating the food could have a massive positive impact on overall wellbeing. Our test takes a few minutes and you can have your results in a few hours.
How does Whelehans food intolerance test compare with other intolerance tests?
In Whelehans we are often asked if our food intolerance test as reliable as other food intolerance tests. The technology is the same. The purified antigens are the same. The only concession to convenience and cost is a smaller range of food antigens. However, the 50-odd items in the Food Detective cover the main culprits. So yes, the test is as good as anything on the market. Comparisons showed 95% overlap with laboratory-tested results
€10 off offer
Whelehans have a €10 off voucher for our Food Intolerance Service with our ad in this section of the Examiner. Call us at 04493 34591 to book an appointment.
Disclaimer: Food intolerance tests are not meant as a substitute for full medical check-up from your GP
Whelehans Pharmacy, 38 Pearse St, Mullingar (Opposite the Greville Arms Hotel). Tel 04493 34591. www.whelehans.ie