Food Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of a food intolerance?

Food intolerance is different from a food allergy and does not involve the immune system. Instead, it occurs when the digestive system is unable to properly digest certain foods. The symptoms of food intolerance can vary widely depending on the individual and the specific food involved, but common symptoms may include:

Digestive issues: This can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
Nausea: Some people may experience nausea or vomiting after consuming a food they are intolerant to.
Headaches: Food intolerance can sometimes trigger headaches or migraines in susceptible individuals.
Skin problems: Some people may experience skin problems such as eczema, hives, or itching.
Fatigue: Feeling tired or fatigued after eating certain foods is another common symptom of food intolerance.
Joint pain: Some people may experience joint pain or stiffness after consuming foods they are intolerant to.

It’s important to note that the symptoms of food intolerance are generally less severe than those of a food allergy and typically occur over time rather than immediately after eating the offending food. If you suspect you have a food intolerance, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to identify the trigger food and develop a management plan.

What are the causes of a food intolerance?

Food intolerance can have several causes, and the exact cause can vary depending on the individual and the specific food involved. Some common causes of food intolerance include:

Enzyme deficiencies: One of the most common causes of food intolerance is the lack of certain enzymes needed to digest specific food components. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Sensitivity to food additives: Some people may be sensitive to certain food additives, such as sulfites, which are used as preservatives in many foods. This sensitivity can lead to symptoms such as headaches, hives, or digestive issues.
Histamine intolerance: Histamine is a compound that is involved in the body’s immune response and is found in certain foods. Some people may be intolerant to foods that are high in histamine, such as aged cheeses, fermented foods, and alcohol, which can lead to symptoms such as headaches, hives, or digestive issues.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Some people with IBS may experience food intolerance as a result of their condition. Certain foods, such as dairy products, spicy foods, or high-fat foods, may trigger symptoms of IBS in susceptible individuals.
Sensitivity to food chemicals: Some people may be sensitive to naturally occurring chemicals in foods, such as salicylates or amines, which are found in a variety of foods. This sensitivity can lead to symptoms such as headaches, hives, or digestive issues.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, can lead to food intolerance. In these cases, the intolerance is often due to damage to the lining of the intestines, which can interfere with the digestion and absorption of certain foods.

It’s important to note that food intolerance is not the same as a food allergy, which involves the immune system. If you suspect you have a food intolerance, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to identify the trigger food and develop a management plan.

How is the diagnosis of food intolerance made?

The diagnosis of food intolerance can be challenging because the symptoms are often nonspecific and can overlap with other conditions. However, there are several methods that healthcare providers may use to diagnose food intolerance:

Elimination diet: This involves removing suspected trigger foods from your diet for a period of time, typically 2-4 weeks, and then reintroducing them one at a time while monitoring for symptoms. This can help identify which foods are causing your symptoms.
Food diary: Keeping a detailed food diary can help you and your healthcare provider identify patterns between your diet and your symptoms.
Hydrogen breath test: This test is used to diagnose lactose intolerance and involves drinking a liquid that contains lactose and then measuring the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Elevated levels of hydrogen may indicate that you are not properly digesting lactose.
Blood tests: Blood tests, such as the IgG food allergy test, may be used to identify food intolerances. However, these tests are controversial and their accuracy is debated.
Skin prick test: Skin prick tests are often used to diagnose food allergies, but they are not typically used to diagnose food intolerance.
Elimination-provocation test: This test involves removing a suspected trigger food from your diet for a period of time and then reintroducing it under medical supervision to see if it triggers symptoms.

It’s important to work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to diagnose food intolerance accurately. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment can lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions and may not address the underlying cause of your symptoms.

What is the treatment for a food intolerance?

The treatment for food intolerance involves avoiding or reducing your intake of the specific food or foods that cause your symptoms. Here are some strategies that can help manage food intolerance:

Elimination diet: Identifying and eliminating trigger foods from your diet can help reduce symptoms. Work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to develop a safe and balanced elimination diet.
Food diary: Keeping a food diary can help you track your symptoms and identify which foods may be causing your symptoms.
Enzyme supplements: For some types of food intolerance, such as lactose intolerance, enzyme supplements may help improve digestion of the problem food. For example, lactase enzyme supplements can help digest lactose in dairy products.
Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help improve digestion and reduce symptoms of food intolerance. They are available in supplement form or in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
Avoidance of trigger foods: Avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms is the most effective way to manage food intolerance. Read food labels carefully and ask about ingredients when eating out.
Alternative foods: If you need to avoid certain foods, look for alternative foods that are safe for you to eat. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you can choose lactose-free dairy products or plant-based alternatives.

It’s important to work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to develop a management plan that meets your nutritional needs and helps you avoid trigger foods. They can also help you identify hidden sources of the problem food and provide guidance on reading food labels.

What are some common food intolerances?

Some common food intolerances include:

Lactose intolerance: This is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase.
Gluten intolerance: Also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this is a condition in which individuals experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease when they consume gluten-containing foods, but without the immune system response seen in celiac disease.
Histamine intolerance: Some people are unable to properly break down histamine, a compound found in certain foods, leading to symptoms such as headaches, hives, or digestive issues.
Fructose intolerance: This is the inability to digest fructose, a sugar found in fruits, honey, and some vegetables, due to a deficiency in the enzyme needed to break it down.
Sulfite sensitivity: Some people are sensitive to sulfites, which are used as preservatives in many foods and can cause symptoms such as headaches, hives, or breathing difficulties.
FODMAP intolerance: FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are a group of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can cause digestive issues in some people.

These are just a few examples of common food intolerances, and there are many other foods and compounds that can cause intolerance reactions in some individuals. If you suspect you have a food intolerance, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider or dietitian to identify the trigger food and develop a management plan.