What are lectins and why do they cause adverse food reactions?
ยท What symptoms are commonly associated with food sensitivity or intolerance? What causes food allergies? Food allergies result from specific immunoglobulin (Ig) known as IgE antibodies. These IgE antibodies are made as an adaptive defense response by the body. A particular food protein acts as an antigen or foreign protein that the body mistakenly believes is threatening to invade the body. Food proteins are then allergens. These food allergens can cause IgE mediated allergic reactions whenever these foods are eaten. What causes the symptoms of food allergy? Symptoms of food allergy are caused by food specific IgE antibodies triggering mast cells, basophils and/or eosinophils residing in the skin, nose, throat, lungs and digestive tract to release histamine and other chemical mediators that initiate an acute inflammatory reaction in those tissues. The results are the allergic symptoms of hives, swelling and itching of the skin, nose and mouth, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Less co
