What’s the difference between intolerance and allergy?
Some people think the terms ‘food allergy’ and ‘food intolerance’ mean the same thing but they don’t. Food allergies are rare and happen when a harmless food is wrongly interpreted by the immune system as being harmful. The symptoms of allergy include tingling lips and rashes. In some cases the reaction is severe, and the problem food must be carefully avoided. A food intolerance is an adverse, food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system. Lactose intolerance is one example of a food intolerance. Someone with a lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. When these people consume milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain occurs.
