Post by Tara on Dec 1, 2005 17:01:44 GMT -5
Food Allergy—It's Nothing to Sneeze at
by Christine Perry, MS, RD
The term 'food allergy' is often misapplied, leading many people to believe that they are 'allergic' to certain foods when a more accurate term would be “food intolerance”. In fact, food allergy symptoms are caused either by a hypersensitivity reaction or by a simple food intolerance to specific components of a food. Symptoms of adverse reactions to food range from a simple rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Identification and avoidance of any foods that trigger a reaction is the only 'cure' available for food allergy.
The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology reports that 30% of adults believe they are allergic to certain foods. However, studies have shown that true food allergy is really quite rare, affecting less than two percent of the population. Part of the confusion lies in the definition of "food allergy". (continue)
by Christine Perry, MS, RD
The term 'food allergy' is often misapplied, leading many people to believe that they are 'allergic' to certain foods when a more accurate term would be “food intolerance”. In fact, food allergy symptoms are caused either by a hypersensitivity reaction or by a simple food intolerance to specific components of a food. Symptoms of adverse reactions to food range from a simple rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Identification and avoidance of any foods that trigger a reaction is the only 'cure' available for food allergy.
The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology reports that 30% of adults believe they are allergic to certain foods. However, studies have shown that true food allergy is really quite rare, affecting less than two percent of the population. Part of the confusion lies in the definition of "food allergy". (continue)
