FOOD ALLERGIES

Objectives

After this presentation, you will be able to:

Define the terms food allergy and food intolerance

Identify common food allergies and intolerances

Read and interpret food labels in respect to food allergies and food intolerances

What is an Allergy?

Defined Hypersensitivity/abnormal immune system response to

specific environmental substances or conditions.

Physiological Response Body mistakes substance as harmful; makes antibodies

to fight it

Types Substances

Food Protein // Dust // Pollen // Chemicals Conditions

Heat

Allergy Risk Factors

Family history of asthma and allergiesGenetic predisposition to allergic diseaseElevated allergen-specific serum

immunoglobulin level Test for IgE concentrations in blood.

Being younger than 3 years old

Common Food Allergies

There are many food allergies.The federal government requires label listing

of only 8 Milk Eggs Fish Crustacean shellfish Tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds) Peanuts Wheat Soybeans

Common Food Allergy Symptoms

Reaction Time Range from minutes to daysMild to severe symptoms

Skin = itchiness, flushing, hives, swelling, eczemaGastrointestinal = nausea, vomiting, abdominal

pain/cramps, diarrhea, colicRespiratory= runny nose, wheezing, throat

closing/swelling, asthmaCirculatory = dizziness, faintness, heart

irregularities, “sense of impending doom”Anaphylaxis = constricted airways in lungs, very

low blood pressure and shock, suffocation by throat swelling

Food Allergy Treatment

Avoid trigger food/beverageMedications

Antihistamine Bronchodilator Epinephrine

What is a Food Intolerance?

Defined Digestion system response to a substance

Physiological Response Body unable to properly digest or metabolize a

substance

Types Substances

Food Chemical

Food dyes Food additives

Common Food Intolerances

Dairy (lactose)Beans (enzymes)Carbohydrates (enzymes)Gluten (Celiac disease)Cruciferous vegetables (enzymes)

Symptoms of Food Intolerances

Gastrointestinal Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain/cramps Diarrhea Colic Gas Cramps Bloating Heartburn

Psychological Reactions Headaches Irritability Nervousness

Food Intolerance Treatment

Total avoidance of offending food/beverage

Medications Enzyme digestive aids

QUIZ

Answer the below questions in a complete sentence or write the question and the answer.

1.What is the main difference between a food allergy and an food intolerance?

2.List two symptoms of a food allergy and two symptoms of a food intolerance.

3.The FDA has identified ______ common food allergies.

4.Antihistamine are used to treat food intolerances.True /or/ False

QUIZ KEY

1. What is the main difference between a food allergy and an food intolerance? The main difference is a food allergy involves the immune system and a food intolerance does not involve the immune system.

2. List two symptoms of a food allergy and two symptoms of a food intolerance. Answer will vary; consult list in presentation

3. The FDA has identified _8_ common food allergies.4. Antihistamine are used to treat food intolerances.

True /or/ False