 |
| Food Allergies |
Food allergy is our own body’s immune system response
that occurs soon after eating a specific food. Even a tiny amount of
the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as
digestive problems, hives or swollen airways.. This is called an “allergic
reaction.”
An allergic reaction is activated by the particular
substance called “allergen” that a person is allergic to. When in contact with this
allergen, the body sanitize a foreign attacker. The allergen fixes to the IgE
antibodies. When it happens, the mast cell breaks up to release inflammatory
substances for example, histamine. Which quickly travels through the body to
fight off what it senses as harmful? The histamine affects the body tissue and
causes an inflammation.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Severe, life-
threatening reactions are called anaphylaxis.
There are 40-50% of people, diagnosed with food allergies are
judged to have a high risk of anaphylaxis. There are many types of immune system
responses to food. The body produces specific type of anti-body called
immunoglobulin E. and if someone is highly sensitive to a certain food, even breathing it in or contacting through your skin, can trigger immune
reaction.
Common Allergenic ingredients:
- Cow's Milk.
- Eggs.
 |
| Eggs |
- Tree Nuts. …
 |
| Tree Nuts |
- Peanuts. ...
 |
| Peanuts |
- Shellfish. ...
 |
| Shellfish |
- Wheat. …
 |
| Wheat |
- Soy. …
 |
| Soy |
- Fish.
 |
| Food Allergies |
There is difference between food allergy, food sensitivity
and food intolerance.
Food sensitivity:
Food sensitivities happen when white blood cells react
with a food and start releasing mediators. Food sensitivities do not
involve Ige antibodies.
When we eat an activate food, it makes its way along our
digestive tract to our small intestine, where that triggered food comes into contact with our gut lining
and immune system. Food particles pass from our gut into our bloodstream.
In our bloodstream, WBC release mediators in response to exposure from
the trigger food. The release of mediators from White Blood Cells is what
causes inflammation and symptom manifestation, such as GI issues, headaches,
joint pain, or body aches.
Food intolerance:
Food intolerance happen when a person is lacking an
enzyme to break a food, such as lactose intolerance. It is
a non-immune related response and occurs when an intolerant individual
consumes milk.
Symptoms of food intolerance's usually present as GI issues,
like gas, bloating or diarrhea.
Fructose(fruit sugar) meal absorption also falls into this
category.
Management of food allergies,
sensitivities and intolerance
 |
| Management of food allergies |
1. Strict Elimination of that specific offending food items
or all foods containing that specific ingredient.
2. A managed, well-balanced elimination diet (eg, allergen
restriction) can lead to resolve of symptoms and can help to avoid nutritional
deficiencies.
3. Properly reading food labels to identify the presence of
the food allergen of concern.
4. Avoidance of high-risk situations (eg, buffets, picnics)
where accidental or unintentional ingestion of food allergens can occur.
Discuss your food allergies with restaurant and food establishment personnel.
5. Reintroduce food in small batches if there is only
intolerance.
6. Growth monitoring children and nutritional adequacy
in all patients is very much important.
Educating people on
how to avoid and manage food allergy, especially if unintentional
exposure occurs can reduce the consequence.
Author :
Dt Samra Jamil Dietitian/Nutritionist
