Is there a difference between the two conditions?  Yes.  It can be difficult to determine whether one has an intolerance or an allergy because the signs and symptoms overlap.

A simple explanation of the two conditions –
Food allergy = immune system reaction to food
Food intolerance = inability to digest a food

Food allergy symptoms show up immediately whereas an intolerance may or may not manifest soon after ingesting the food.  In food allergy, the reaction can occur with smallest quantities but in food intolerance, the person is able to tolerate the food in small amounts or over a period of time. Food allergy can be life-threatening sometimes but not food intolerance.  A physician or an allergy specialist will be able to diagnose the problem.

Nuts, dairy, egg and fish are the most common food allergens.  Common food intolerance list includes wheat, gluten, milk, yeast, food additives and preservatives.

Symptoms of food allergy can vary from dizziness, swelling of lips and throat, itchy skin and red eyes, to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, wheezing, shortness of breath, or blocked nose.  Food intolerance can show up as bloating, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, wheezing, hives or runny nose.

If you’re aware of the problem that you have, check labels when you buy packaged foods.  The best way to prevent such problems from occurring is to avoid the foods that cause these problems.  Maintaining a diary of the foods that you eat can help to trace the allergen or the food that causes the problem.

Before I write this piece, I’d like to welcome the new subscribers to my blog.  Thank You for subscribing.  If you have any suggestions for health topics, questions on nutrition, or comments on the posts, please feel free to write.

A friend of mine sent me an email about an article published by a US writer about how 4 foods accelerate aging.  The 4 foods named in this article are wheat, corn, sugar and vegetable oils (like soybean, canola, etc).  How factual is this information?

Wheat and corn do not accelerate aging, for sure.  On the contrary, they provide us with nutrients that are essential for good health.  Although gluten-free foods are becoming a rage in the West, the only persons who need to avoid wheat are those who are allergic or intolerant to wheat and its products.  Perhaps gluten can be a topic for another discussion!

Sugar and oils accelerate aging only if taken in large quantities and / or replace healthy foods.  Sugar consumption has gone up in urban India by large amounts.  Sugar robs the body of some important nutrients which can be replaced only by eating healthy foods.  In that sense, sugar can be a villain.  Also, extra oil intake (especially the high PUFA ones) can tilt the fatty acid balance in the body and accelerate free radical damage.  In that sense, some of the vegetable oils can be seen as villains.

The bottom line is reduce sugar and fat consumption, and there’s no need to avoid wheat and corn if you are not allergic to them.