Food Allergy Examples

Food allergies and intolerances are more common than you think. Food intolerances relate to the inability to digest certain foods. A food allergy is when your body has an adverse immune response to a specific food. Food intolerances usually come on gradually where as food allergies are usually more sudden. Some people with a food intolerance may be able to eat small amounts of the food whereas with a food allergy an allergic reaction can be triggered by even a small amount of the food. A food intolerance is not life threatening, although without proper dietary changes a food intolerance can be dangerous to your health. This is because the body’s ability to properly digest and absorb important nutrients becomes weakened with the presence of …show more content…
Some of the most common include peanut, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, milk and wheat. These eight allergens are responsible for ninety percent of all allergic reactions. A peanut allergy is considered to be one of the most serious food allergies. This is based on how common the food allergy is and how potentially severe the reaction can be. All allergies to tree nuts tend to be lifelong. Examples of tree nuts are walnuts and almonds. Tree nuts can cause a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction. Although peanut allergies and tree nut allergies are not the same, if a person is allergic to one they are often advised to avoid all nuts as a person with an allergic reaction to one type of nut is more likely to be allergic to others. Eggs are one of the most common foods that cause an allergic reaction in children. In most cases children out grow there egg allergy before adolescence but in some cases the allergy can continue into adulthood. Soybeans are found in many unexpected foods. This is due to their use in many processed foods. This makes soy one of the most difficult products for allergy sufferers to avoid. An allergic reaction to soy occurs when the body’s immune system creates antibodies to fight mistaken harmless proteins that are found in soy. The release of the antibodies is what causes the allergic reaction. With a shellfish allergy, the person may have an allergic reaction to either all types of shellfish or just …show more content…
Lactose intolerance is widespread. Lactose intolerance can either be temporary or permanent. Cases that occur in young children are often caused by an infection in the digestive system and may only last a few weeks. Most cases that develop in adults are inherited and are usually permanent. Fortunately there are other options available for people with lactose intolerance such as almond and coconut milk. It is also important to be aware that lactose is often added to pre-prepared foods such as bread and other baked goods, processed breakfast cereals, margarine and salad dressings. People with a very low lactose tolerance should be aware of all these foods so they can be avoided. Gluten is a protein that is primarily found in wheat, rye and barely but is often in products that are used every day, as well as medicines and even in stamp and envelope glue. Celiac disease is a chronic digestive condition that is triggered by eating gluten. Celiac disease mainly involves the immune system. The symptoms are mostly gastrointestinal. A person with celiac disease won’t suffer from anaphylaxis. Fructose can also be a food intolerance. Fructose is a natural sugar that can be found in fruit and