Most people can enjoy a varied food without any unpleasant feelings. However, some people have side effects after eating certain foods or individual foods, from temporary skin rashes to severe allergies.
Undesirable health symptoms caused by food
Undesirable effects of food intake unaffected by toxins and pathogenic bacteria may be caused by food allergy or so-called food intolerance. About 1/3 of people think that they are "allergic" to certain foods. However, the actual frequency of food allergy is only estimated at around 2% of the adult population. In children, food allergy is slightly more common - it is found in 3 to 7% of children. In most cases, children "grow" from allergies before they start school.
Food allergy and food intolerance
Symptoms occurring after ingestion of food are usually considered as a food allergy. However, in many cases it is not a real allergy, i.e. an allergy to a product or component of a food product. Similar symptoms can be caused by food infection (bacterial or viral), psychological disgust with a given food or intolerance to some of its ingredients.
We only speak about real allergy when symptoms appear in the way of the release of immune mechanisms.
Allergic reaction tothe protein present in the product
Allergen, which is most often the protein present in the product, triggers a cascade of immune system reactions, the most important result being the release of antibodies. Antibodies, in turn, trigger a range of chemical substances, such as histamine and kinins, that cause a variety of disease symptoms, for example itchy skin, skin rash, cough or runny nose.
Allergic sensitization is often transmitted hereditary and usually occurs in the first years of life.
On the other hand, food intolerance consists in triggering specific metabolic reactions by the food without the participation of the immune system. A good example of food intolerance is intolerance to lactose. It is conditioned by the deficiency of the enzyme (lactase), which breaks down milk sugar - lactose.
How does an allergic reaction occur?
The immune system protects the body against various harmful external factors, triggering various mechanisms that eliminate these factors. In general, an allergy can be treated as a poorly targeted response of the immune system. A harmless substance is usually treated by the immune system as an enemy (allergen) and is attacked by the body's defenses. Antibodies are produced, i.e. proteins that attach to specific other proteins called allergens, inactivate them and then remove them from the body. An antibody group called immunoglobulins E (IgE) is involved in the allergic reaction. Their activation triggers further reactions involving mast cells and basophils. Mast cells are present, among others under the surface of the skin and in the mucous membrane covering the inside of the nose, respiratory tract, eyes and intestines.
Allergens irritate mast cells, which releases inflammation mediators and causes allergy symptoms
Stimulation of immune mast cells releases histamine and other chemicals (eg leukotrienes and prostaglandins). It is these substances that cause the appearance of allergy symptoms. Symptoms appear very quickly - usually after a dozen or so minutes after eating food containing the allergen - and usually only affect certain organs of the body. However, in some cases, allergy symptoms occur only after a few hours or even a few days. It is said then about delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
Fortunately, most allergic reactions are relatively mild
Only in some people, sensitization manifests itself in the form of life-threatening symptoms. Severe allergic symptoms are called anaphylactic reactions. It can occur just after a few minutes after contact with the allergen. It requires immediate medical attention. A well-known cause of the anaphylactic reaction in the form of a shock (a situation where blood pressure drops sharply) is peanuts. Anaphylactic shock can lead to death in some cases.
He prepared:
dr n. med Janusz Ciok
Institute of Food and Nutrition