Allergy or intolerance?

A food allergy is based on the body's defence reaction to harmless plant or animal proteins (allergens). The antibodies produced by our organism trigger an allergic reaction whenever we come into contact with the allergens - often only traces of them are enough. Depending on the severity of the allergy, this can vary from itching, skin eczema or digestive problems to anaphylactic shock, the most severe form of allergic reaction, which in the worst case can lead to respiratory and circulatory arrest.

With a food intolerance, the body cannot digest a certain substance.

In the case of food allergies, the perception of being affected is far higher than the actual level, as figures from the Swiss Allergy Centre show: in surveys, 20 percent of the population state that they are allergic to certain foods, but only 2 to 8 percent are proven to be affected.

Food intolerance is a collective term for various non-allergic reactions to food. The body does not produce antibodies, but instead lacks the ability to digest a certain substance or has lost this ability completely or partially.

Gluten and lactose intolerance

A well-known example of a food intolerance is coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. In this case, those affected cannot digest the gluten protein in various types of grain, which leads to damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine. In lactose intolerance, another well-known disorder, sufferers lack a digestive enzyme to break down lactose.

The consequences of lactose intolerance are flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation or vomiting.

Instead of entering the bloodstream, the undigested lactose reaches the large intestine where it is fermented by bacteria, which can lead to flatulence, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, constipation or vomiting. A food intolerance does not lead to a life-threatening situation, but can be very restrictive and unpleasant for those affected.

The symptoms are varied, the most common being digestive complaints such as abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea or constipation as well as malaise. Depending on the form of intolerance, up to 20 per cent of the population in Switzerland are affected.

More information: www.aha.ch