Intolerance vs. Allergy
We've heard the terms: often times we hear terms such as lactose intolerance and we think "oh, that person is allergic to milk", but that's not true. An intolerance and an allergy are two different things.
Okay, but how?
Let's use milk as an example, since it is often the greatest offender of this misunderstanding. Milk is actually a very common food allergy and food intolerance, which is probably one of the reasons why it is so often cited.
First: allergies. A food allergy is most often involves the immune system and includes a sensitivity to the milk protein. In simple terms, a milk allergy is when your immune system thinks that proteins in the milk are foreign invaders and attack these invaders. Symptoms include
Second: intolerance. A food intolerance, in this example a lactose intolerance, is a digestive disorder in which the body cannot digest the carbohydrate lactose. Individuals with lactose intolerance do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is what typically digests lactose.
lactose
Symptoms include:
In conclusion, a milk allergy is an immune system reaction to milk protein and involves the immune system, and a milk (lactose) intolerance is an inability to digest the carbohydrate lactose in milk products and involves the digestive system.
CB
Okay, but how?
Let's use milk as an example, since it is often the greatest offender of this misunderstanding. Milk is actually a very common food allergy and food intolerance, which is probably one of the reasons why it is so often cited.
First: allergies. A food allergy is most often involves the immune system and includes a sensitivity to the milk protein. In simple terms, a milk allergy is when your immune system thinks that proteins in the milk are foreign invaders and attack these invaders. Symptoms include
- hives
- anaphylaxis
- coughing or shortness of breath
- itching
- swelling or the lips, tongue, or throat
Second: intolerance. A food intolerance, in this example a lactose intolerance, is a digestive disorder in which the body cannot digest the carbohydrate lactose. Individuals with lactose intolerance do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is what typically digests lactose.
lactose
Symptoms include:
- stomach pain/bloating
- diarrhea
- increased gas
- constipation
In conclusion, a milk allergy is an immune system reaction to milk protein and involves the immune system, and a milk (lactose) intolerance is an inability to digest the carbohydrate lactose in milk products and involves the digestive system.
CB
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