Food Allergies vs. Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes & Solutions
Do you suffer from persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, or headaches? If common treatments haven’t helped, food allergies or intolerance could be the root cause. These conditions only resolve once you identify and eliminate the specific problem foods from your diet. Treating symptoms with creams or medications rarely provides a lasting cure. Therefore, the key is prevention through proper identification.
Understanding Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is much more common than a true food allergy. It does not involve the immune system. Symptoms usually appear slowly, often hours after eating the offending food. They can last for many hours or even days. It is not uncommon to be intolerant to several foods, which makes pinpointing the cause of chronic illness challenging.
Common Symptoms of Food Intolerance
The symptoms are varied and often include:
-
Gastrointestinal issues: bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, IBS.
-
Skin problems: rashes, acne, eczema.
-
Systemic issues: fatigue, joint pain, dark circles, night sweats.
What Causes Food Intolerance?
Several different mechanisms can lead to food intolerance.
1. Enzyme Deficiencies
Our bodies need enzymes to break down certain foods. A lack of these enzymes causes symptoms. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar. This leads to gut spasms, pain, and diarrhea. It is important to note that most Africans are lactose intolerant, as our bodies have not historically produced the necessary enzymes for digesting milk.
2. Natural Chemicals in Food
Some foods contain natural chemicals that can cause adverse reactions.
-
Histamine: Found in aged cheeses, fermented foods, and spoiled fish, it can trigger rashes, stomach pain, or asthma in sensitive individuals.
-
Salicylates: Naturally present in many fruits and vegetables. Some people experience symptoms if they consume too many high-salicylate foods.
-
Caffeine & Amines: In coffee, tea, chocolate, and certain cheeses.
3. Food Additives & Modern Farming
Artificial colors, preservatives, and processing agents can provoke symptoms. Furthermore, modern farming practices play a role. Many fruits are now genetically engineered to be sweeter and are grown with pesticides. This has led to a rise in fructose intolerance, where overconsumption of fruit causes arthritis, skin problems, and bloating.
4. Toxins & Preparation Methods
Undercooked beans or chickpeas can contain natural toxins that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Proper cooking destroys these substances.
How is Food Intolerance Recognized?
Traditional identification is complex. It involves keeping a detailed food and symptom diary and following an elimination diet. However, this process can be time-consuming and imprecise due to delayed and varied symptoms.
Advanced Management at Mart Life Detox Clinic
At our clinic, we use Bioenergetic Testing based on Interfacing Resonance Analysis Technology. This test efficiently identifies specific intolerances—such as fructose, lactose, histamine, or gluten—as well as the exact problem foods.
Our Management Process:
-
Identification: The Bioenergetic test reveals intolerances and underlying issues like parasites or fungal infections that may worsen symptoms.
-
Elimination Diet: Patients follow a guided exclusion diet, avoiding problem foods for three months.
-
Reintroduction: After this period, foods can be slowly reintroduced to establish a personal tolerance threshold. Most people can then eat the food occasionally (e.g., once a week) without symptoms returning.
-
Nutritional Balance: We ensure the diet is nutritionally complete by replacing eliminated foods with suitable alternatives.
Key Considerations for Success
-
Timing: Start the diet during a calm period, not during holidays or celebrations, to maintain consistency.
-
Persistence: Straying from the diet can cause symptoms to return, requiring a restart.
-
Individuality: Each person’s tolerance level is unique and must be carefully established.
For many, addressing food intolerance is life-changing. With the right diagnosis and a dedicated plan, you can eliminate chronic symptoms and regain your health.
