Food Allergies versus Food Sensitivities
Are those stomach cramps caused by food allergies or food sensitivities also called food intolerances?
The two have some similarities but they do differ in a few ways.
Close to 20% of the population feel that they have unpleasant reactions to food. This higher percentage of the population has raised concerns and interests in food allergies and sensitivities.
Read on to learn about the differences between food allergies and food sensitivities.
What are food allergies?
A food allergy is a serious adverse reaction to a type of food. An allergic reaction is an immunological response. This means that the body creates an immune response when a specific food, an allergen is consumed. An allergen is a type of food that the immune system incorrectly recognizes as toxic.
The common allergens include:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustaceans
- wheat
- soy
- sesame
- tree nuts
- peanuts.
With a food allergy, the person can see a reaction with only a small amount of food consumed by the person. Sometimes people’s reactions can occur with food that has been cross-contaminated or through touch particles.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include vomiting, stomach cramps, hives, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis.
To diagnose a patient with a food allergy they will utilize medical history, stick prick test, blood test, or an oral food challenge.
What is a food sensitivity?
Food sensitivities are a sensitivity to a food that creates unpleasant symptoms in the body. These are not an immunological response like a food allergy. They are often caused by a deficiency or a defect in digestive enzymes.
Symptoms of food sensitivities can include bloating, constipation, stomach cramping, gas, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.
People with food sensitivities may be able to stand small amounts of the specific food without symptoms.
They utilize blood tests, breath tests, and food symptom diaries to diagnose food sensitivities.
Treatments for Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Since food allergies and sensitivities create symptoms, the best treatment is often to avoid the culprit food. If a nutritional deficiency occurs due to the avoidance of food, a medical professional can help determine if nutritional supplements should be utilized.
Differences between Food Allergies and Intolerances
A difference is the severity of the symptoms. Food allergies typically have severe to life-threatening symptoms. However, food sensitivities are typically more mild discomfort symptoms.
The immunological response is another difference between the two. Food allergies utilize an immunological response, whereas food sensitivities do not. However, immunoglobulins can play a role in both allergies and intolerances.
Summary
Food allergies are severe life-threatening immunological reactions.
Food sensitivities are non-immunological reactions caused by a deficiency or defect in digestive enzymes such as lactose intolerance.
Both complications can benefit from a diet that involves the avoidance of the allergen or trigger food.
What are Common Immunoglobulins?
Immunoglobulins are antibodies that the body’s immune system releases to different stimuli.
The three common immunoglobulins for food allergies and sensitivities include IgE, IgA, and IgG.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
IgE is the most common immunoglobulin that is associated with a food allergy. Most studied food allergies are caused by IgE.
A reaction caused by IgE is almost immediate and can create very severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis.
They can test for IgE utilizing blood tests and skin pricks due to the severity nature of the allergies.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Immunoglobulin A is the most common antibody within the secretions of the body such as the respiratory and intestinal tracts.
Reactions caused by IgA typically have a delayed response time and less severe symptoms than IgE reactions.
Symptoms associated with an IgA reaction include headaches, fatigue, digestive and skin discomfort.
IgA reactions differ from IgE reactions because they do not provoke inflammation as IgE reactions do. Another difference is the time of the response between IgE and IgA reactions is different.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
IgG is the most common antibody within the blood making up about 75% of the serum antibodies.
After eating, the body produces IgG antibodies, but a high IgG level could indicate food sensitivity. This high level could be due to past or frequent consumption of a trigger food.
IgG differs from IgE reactions due to the delayed response and the presence of the antibody. With an IgE reaction, a small amount and a small increase in antibodies can trigger a reaction. IgG reactions are abnormal in high amounts.
IgG reactions also have one main difference and some similarities to IgA reactions. The main difference is that IgG reactions are slower than IgA reactions. However, both immunoglobulins can have similar symptoms and indicate food sensitivity at a high amount.
Summary
Immunoglobulins can indicate a food allergy or food sensitivity due to their presence.
IgE, IgA, and IgG are the three most common antibodies indicating food complications.
IgE typically indicates an immediate and severe allergic reaction, whereas IgA and IgG at high levels indicate food sensitivity.
FAQ
Q: Can I have an Immunoglobulin response without having symptoms?
A: Yes! You can have an immunoglobulin response without having any symptoms. With an IgA or IgG reaction, the symptoms are delayed and vary in severity. A person could not realize these symptoms are related or not severe enough to feel them.
Q: What is the best way to determine if I have a food sensitivity or allergy?
A: The best way to determine if you have a food sensitivity or allergy is to do a blood test. The blood test will test for the IgG or the IgE antibodies. Depending on which antibodies are detected, we can determine whether you have a food sensitivity or a food allergy.
Q: What should I do if I have a food sensitivity or allergy?
A: If you have a food sensitivity or allergy it is best to avoid the trigger food or allergen. You can schedule a session to discuss any concerns or if you would benefit from any nutritional supplements.
If you are curious about food sensitivities or allergies or are having symptoms yourself, I recommend doing a comprehensive at-home allergy and sensitivity test. Learn more below.
Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing
References
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- Food Intolerance. (2022). NHS. Health A to Z. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance/#:~:text=Tests%20you%20may%20have%20include,foods%2C%20which%20can%20be%20harmful.
- Hostoffer RW, Joseph NI. Immunoglobulin E. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482212/
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