Pollution, the shift toward ultra-processed foods, and even excessive hygiene practices play a role in the emergence of these long-overlooked intolerances. Food intolerances are becoming increasingly common in our modern society. In fact, food intolerances affect between 5 and 50 percent of the population. They can cause unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, or headaches. Fortunately, there are natural solutions to address this problem.
Everything You Need to Know About Food Intolerance
Food intolerance, or food hypersensitivity, results from a local inflammatory response triggered by certain foods that the immune system does not tolerate well. Consuming these foods causes a variety of symptoms, which are often nonspecific, making them difficult to recognize: irritable bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, etc.), chronic fatigue, headaches, joint pain, obesity, and skin problems. Diagnosing these conditions is all the more important because food intolerances often trigger autoimmune diseases that subsequently develop in this susceptible environment.
Differences Between Food Allergies and Food Intolerances
Many people often confuse food allergies with food intolerances. What these two reactions have in common is that they both involve the immune system, but they are very different: they differ in how they develop, their frequency, and their symptoms.
Food allergies are rare and affect only a small number of foods, but they are common in children. They occur when the immune system produces IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies against these foods. They are characterized by an acute, potentially severe, rapid—or even immediate—onset of symptoms. Allergies are lifelong, and even a tiny amount of the allergen is enough to trigger them. They can be detected through a skin test or a specific Ig blood test.
Food intolerances occur when the immune system produces IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies. They are characterized by less specific symptoms that appear between 4 hours and 3 days after eating. In fact, their causes are often unknown. Intolerances can occur in both children and adults. A negative skin test may apply to many foods. Allergens often go unnoticed, even though the foods are enjoyed and therefore frequently consumed. Symptoms may subside or disappear after avoiding the foods responsible.
Causes of Food Intolerances
Food intolerances can be caused by a variety of factors. Lactose and gluten are the most well-known. However, certain factors can lead to food intolerances, such as alcohol consumption, highly processed foods, stress, and certain medications.
- Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is a protein found in the germ and husk of certain grains (wheat, spelt, einkorn, kamut, rye, oats). In people with gluten intolerance, it can trigger a reaction in the body, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining.
Gluten intolerance causes celiac disease, a chronic intestinal immune disorder. A reliable diagnosis of this disease requires an endoscopy.
- Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a sugar found specifically in milk. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose. In the absence of lactase, lactose is fermented by bacteria and turns into gas; this condition is known as lactose intolerance. It is estimated that 20% of French adults are affected by this intolerance. A breath test, similar to a breathalyzer, can be performed to measure the amount of hydrogen exhaled, which may be elevated in cases of intolerance. This intolerance must be distinguished from an allergy to cow’s milk proteins.
- Fructose Intolerance
Fructose is a natural sugar found in most fruits and vegetables, as well as in honey. People with fructose intolerance have a disorder that affects fructose metabolism. Fructose is no longer absorbed and is broken down into gas and fatty acids by bacteria in the gut.
- Other Intolerances
Other intolerances may be caused by the presence of tyramine in foods (certain cheeses, chocolate, pickled herring), histamine (fermented foods and beverages, smoked foods, canned fish, avocados, figs, grapes, etc.), glutamic acid, sulfites (wine), dried fruits, and other food additives.
Diagnosis of Lactose Intolerance
There are no reliable and accurate medical tests for diagnosing food intolerance, other than tests for lactose intolerance.
- Hydrogen Test
The hydrogen test involves measuring the presence of hydrogen in the air you exhale in the hours before and after consuming a specific amount of lactose following a period of fasting. Undigested lactose present in the intestines (due to a lack of lactase) is converted into hydrogen gas, which enters the bloodstream, reaches the respiratory tract, and is exhaled. High levels of hydrogen in exhaled air are a sign of abnormal lactose digestion.
- Lactose Tolerance Test
A lactose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels after consuming a specific amount of lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, your blood sugar levels will not rise because you lack the enzyme lactase.
- Genetic testing
Genetic testing can detect lactose intolerance associated with a primary lactase deficiency. This involves analyzing your DNA to determine whether you are predisposed to lactose intolerance. This test can be performed by taking a simple cell sample (swab) from the inside of your cheek. However, this test cannot diagnose secondary lactase deficiency that occurs following an infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or an intestinal parasitic infection.
The best way to determine which other foods may be causing your intolerance symptoms is to keep a food diary. You should keep track of the foods you eat every day for two to three weeks. If a particular food causes specific symptoms, you can eliminate it from your diet for a few days, then reintroduce it and note your reactions.
Common Treatments for Food Intolerances
If you suspect a food intolerance, it is best to talk to your doctor. This will require the patient to accurately describe all the symptoms they are experiencing, the foods suspected of causing them, and their family history.
The doctor may therefore order additional tests to aid in the diagnosis, which will help rule out the possibility of a food allergy. These tests include skin tests and blood tests. If a food intolerance is present rather than a food allergy, the results of these tests will be negative because they do not involve a direct immune response.
Doctors can also refer patients to gastroenterologists as part of a coordinated care pathway.
Diagnosing food intolerances can be challenging and time-consuming, as repeated consumption of the suspected food over several days is invariably linked to the onset of symptoms. A doctor may recommend eliminating a certain food—a process known as elimination—and then gradually reintroducing it.
Treatment for food intolerance generally involves prescribing a specific diet and eliminating the associated foods. For example, lactose-free milk, gluten-free foods, or the FODMAP diet. If you stop eating foods that you are intolerant to, your symptoms will go away within a few hours or even a few days. Consulting a nutrition expert (a dietitian or a nutritionist) can help you maintain a balanced diet.
What are the treatments for food intolerances?
When you have a food intolerance, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to avoid unpleasant symptoms. Foods rich in fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats are particularly recommended because they promote healthy and regular digestion. Fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and nuts are also good choices because they are rich in essential nutrients and fiber.
In addition to a balanced diet, certain natural dietary supplements can help relieve the symptoms of food intolerances. For example, probiotics are known to promote a healthy gut flora and improve digestion. They are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, but can also be taken as supplements.
Digestive enzymes are also an effective natural dietary supplement that helps break down food and improve nutrient absorption. Lactase, in particular, is very helpful for people who are lactose intolerant. These supplements are suitable for all types of intolerances, whether mild or severe.
Finally, CBD could be a natural solution for relieving the symptoms of food intolerances. CBD is known for its potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, which could help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with certain food intolerances, such as gluten intolerance. High Society is an online store specializing in cannabidiol-based products. We offer CBD products made from organic hemp and lab-tested to ensure quality and purity. Our products are available in the form of oil, flowers, resin, and more…
