Up to 45% of the UK population is affected by food intolerance according to Allergy UK, therefore more and more people need to be aware of the differences between food intolerance and food allergy in order to take the correct course of action. Food intolerance also known as delayed onset food allergy is due to an inability to fully process a particular food, usually making the sufferer feel unwell.

Symptoms can be slow to develop and can take hours or days to appear and it is rarely life threatening. Food Intolerance (also known as ‘delayed onset food allergy’):

• Produces delayed chronic symptoms

• Is difficult to diagnose as offending foods can react hours days after they have been eaten

• Is rarely life-threatening

• Managed by measuring IgG antibodies

Food allergy is a rapid response by the body’s immune system to a particular food. In this type of reaction, the body’s immune system mistakes a food for an ‘invader’ often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes. This type of allergic reaction is commonly associated with nut allergies.

Food Allergy (also known as ‘classical allergy’):

• Produces acute distinctive symptoms, usually within seconds or minutes.

• In extreme cases, can be life-threatening.

• Reaction can occur with the tiniest trace amount of food

• Mediated by an IgE antibody reaction

What causes most food intolerances and food allergies? People react differently to different foods. Food hypersensitivity can involve reactions from the body’s own immune system such as:

• Classical immediate reaction known as food allergy which is mediated by IgE antibodies.

• Coeliac disease which is a reaction to the gluten protein and is detected by measuring anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA).

• Delayed onset food allergy or food intolerance which is detected by measuring IgG antibodies.

All three require different tests to identify them and different management. Food sensitivity can also arise from mechanisms that don’t even involve the body’s immune system. These include:

• Enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance.

• Chemical sensitivities such as reactions to food additives e.g tartrazine (E102) and sunset yellow (E110).

Symptoms of food intolerance Food intolerance is a condition with a mixture of symptoms and can be difficult to recognise and diagnose. Those affected often suffer for years without knowing the proper steps to take, unable to enjoy normal life and activities and in some cases, unable to work.

According to charity Food Intolerance Awareness, common symptoms that food intolerance can contribute to include:

Abdominal pains

Aches and pains

Acne

Bloating

Constipation

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Depression

Diarrhoea

Dizziness

Eczema

Fatigue

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Itching

Fluid retention

Headaches

 Hyperactivity

Loss of Appetite

Migraine

Nausea

Rashes

Respiratory Symptoms

Restless Leg Syndrome

Rhinitis

Sinusitis

Stomach cramps T

Tension

Urticaria

Weight loss

 Wheezing

Do any of this symptoms sound familiar to you? It may be time to think about taking a food intolerance test. 

 ”I’m a GP and to be honest, I would not think of food intolerance initially, but I think we should be more aware of food intolerance and get outpatients to take a test like YorkTest.” ITV ‘This Morning’ Resident Doctor, Dr Chris Steele MBE

The treatment The NHS acknowledges food intolerance and recommends food diaries and elimination diets as the preferred method of treatment. Those who have chronic symptoms and are concerned that food may be a contributory factor can sometimes get involved in taking lengthy blind elimination diets which can be limited by the fact that they require a high level of patient compliance.

Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems. Using the scientifically proven and precise ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing method, the YorkTest FoodScan 113 food intolerance test identifies raised levels of food-specific IgG antibodies.

By identifying foods to which an individual has had a reaction, it is used to ‘fast track’ the elimination diet and challenge process. It can remove the guess work and therefore significantly speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances. With so many unregulated, scientifically inaccurate tests on the market, it is important to choose a food intolerance test that is backed by research, accreditations and endorsements.

YorkTest has over 25 years in allergy and intolerance testing and has been at the forefront of food intolerance research which has resulted in our food intolerance testing service being the only one of its kind to endorsed by medical charity Allergy UK.

It is important to note that a validated food intolerance test such as the YorkTest FoodScan 113 is aimed at those with chronic symptoms, and therefore includes comprehensive aftercare support through professionally qualified Nutritionists, to aid dietary management. Some individuals can tolerate the presence of raised food-specific IgG levels without showing symptoms.

For this reason we recommend that only those with symptoms use our food intolerance testing service. If you have any doubt on if you should take a test or not, take our free symptoms check to help you confirm your next step.

Acting on the results of the FoodScan 113 food intolerance test has produced impressive results for many chronic symptom sufferers over the years – see our testimonials section. A survey commissioned by Allergy UK of over 5,000 YorkTest customers found that over 75% people enjoyed symptom relief as a result of acting on their test results, 68% of which found that relief within three weeks!

Click here to find out more about the Foo0dScan 113 food intolerance test “75% of people who have bought this test have felt better within just 3 weeks after removing the offending foods from their diets!”

Food intolerance is fast becoming one of the most likely reasons for ill health today. Three out of four people suffer from a dairy intolerance, one in three from yeast sensitivity, one in seven from gluten sensitivity, one in three from fructose or sugar, and a further one in one hundred suffer from some sort of food allergy.*

Those pesky genes we’re all born with can be responsible for food intolerances. For example, according to one website:** “Lactose intolerance is less common among northern and western Europeans (10 to 15 per cent are affected) than in Asian, African, native American and Mediterranean populations (70 to 90 per cent are affected).”

For some, the news is worse – some poor souls suffer from alcohol intolerance. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol can make them feel unwell. Drinking large amounts can also make you feel unwell , and cause major bouts of gorging in greasy food he next day. That’s more likely to be due to an inability to stop pouring the shots down your neck at the bar rather then your genetic make-up though.

It is notoriously tricky to know whether you are intolerant or not. If you believe you might be intolerant to a food group, you should investigate NOW!   Symptoms are similar to irritable bowel syndrome, and can take days to appear. Also, the amount a person can tolerate varies greatly between individuals.  The good news is (and yes, there is some good news) it is easily fixed.  After the offending food group is identified, a new diet can promote better health and prevent anything more serious occurring later in life.

 So, just how do you determine what foods you are intolerant to?

 The Foodscan 113 test by YorkTest Laboratories is the answer you seek. It tests over 113 common food intolerances including milk, yeast, wheat, nuts, egg, gluten, fish, beef, and other foods we eat on a daily basis. Over 75% of all people who’ve taken the test and adjusted their diet accordingly have eliminated or reduced their symptoms, and improved the quality of their life.

 The test itself is a conveinent, take-at-home kit which can be conducted in the privacy of your own home. You simply prick your finger to draw out a blood sample and then mail the sample in to the YorkTest lab. Within 10 days, you will have a comprehensive report of your food intolerances. There is never any need to visit a doctor or a specialist, and the test is fully supported and endorsed by Allergy UK.

 By analyzing the results of your easy-to-use Foodscan test, you will be able to identify the possible links between the food you eat and your symptoms. It is the perfect solution for people looking to eliminate their food intolerances without the process of manually removing foods from their diet and then waiting days to weeks for results. This test tells you everything you need to know instantly.

 No two bodies are the same, and therefore no two diets are the same – everyone will react different to different foods. Therefore, by eliminating certain foods specific to your own intolerances, you will enjoy a higher quality of life and get the most possible benefits from the foods you eat.

If you’re ready to try the Foodscan 113 Intolerance test for yourself and discover what foods might be making you ill, click here to investigate NOW

FACT: Over 75% of people who take this food intolerance test enjoy a clear health improvement – normally within three weeks of eliminating the offending foods

This isn’t the same as a food allergy, because the immune system isn’t activated. Neither is it the same as food poisoning, which is caused by toxic substances that would cause symptoms in anyone who ate the food.

Food intolerance doesn’t include psychological reactions to food either.

Food intolerance occurs when the body is unable to deal with a certain type of foodstuff. This is usually because the body doesn’t produce enough of the particular chemical or enzyme that’s needed for digestion of that food.

For example, one of the most common types is intolerance of cow’s milk, which contains a type of sugar called lactose. Many people have a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is normally made by cells lining the small intestine. Without this enzyme they can’t break down milk sugar into simpler forms that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Lactose intolerance can cause symptoms very similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

Another common example is a deficiency of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol can make affected people feel unwell.

Some people have adverse reactions to chemical preservatives and additives in food and drinks, such as sulphites, benzoates, salicylates, monosodium glutamate, caffeine, aspartame and tartrazine.

The lack of a specific enzyme in the body may lead to the build up of toxic byproducts and histamine, which then mimic the symptoms of an allergy. This is called a ‘pseudo-allergic’ reaction.

There’s a strong genetic pattern to food intolerances. Lactose intolerance is less common among northern and western Europeans (10 to 15 per cent are affected) than in Asian, African, native American and Mediterranean populations (70 to 90 per cent are affected).

Babies are usually born with higher levels of lactase, so lactose intolerance usually only begins after the age of about two, as the body begins to produce less of the enzyme. But many people don’t experience symptoms until they’re much older. A temporary lactase deficiency may follow gastroenteritis, especially in children.

Alcohol intolerance is common among Asian people – 50 per cent are affected.

Food intolerances are rarely harmful but may cause unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, which can begin hours or days after eating or drinking the food in question.

The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of enzyme the person makes and how much of the food has been consumed. In alcohol intolerance, there may be intense flushing of the skin, nausea, palpitations, headache and feeling faint.

The easiest test for a food intolerance is to remove the food from your diet, see if symptoms improve and then try reintroducing the food. If symptoms return, an intolerance is likely.

Lactose intolerance can be tested for more thoroughly using a lactose tolerance test, a hydrogen breath test and a stool acidity test. Your doctor can arrange these and other food intolerance tests if necessary.

Food intolerance can be managed simply by cutting the food out of your diet. Babies or younger children with a lactose intolerance can be given soya milk or hypoallergenic milk formula instead of cow’s milk.

Adults may be able to tolerate small amounts of troublesome foods, so may need to experiment to work out what they can eat. Lactase enzyme drops or capsules can be used for lactose intolerance.

It’s important that if foods are excluded from the diet suitable alternatives are introduced to avoid nutrient deficiencies. A dietitian can offer practical advice about how to achieve this. Contact your GP to discuss any suspected food intolerances before putting a child on a restricted or elimination diet.

There is a lot of confusion about the terms food intolerance and food allergy, and the differences between them. Many people speak about food allergy when their symptoms can sometimes indicate food intolerance.

Up to 45% of the UK population is affected by food intolerance according to Allergy UK, therefore more and more people need to be aware of the differences between food intolerance and food allergy in order to take the correct course of action.

Food intolerance also known as delayed onset food allergy is due to an inability to fully process a particular food, usually making the sufferer feel unwell. Symptoms can be slow to develop and can take hours or days to appear and it is rarely life threatening.

Food Intolerance (also known as ‘delayed onset food allergy’):

• Produces delayed chronic symptoms
• Is difficult to diagnose as offending foods can react hours days after they have been eaten
• Is rarely life-threatening
• Managed by measuring IgG antibodies

Food allergy is a rapid response by the body’s immune system to a particular food. In this type of reaction, the body’s immune system mistakes a food for an ‘invader’ often resulting in a rapid allergic reaction within minutes. This type of allergic reaction is commonly associated with nut allergies.

Food Allergy (also known as ‘classical allergy’):

• Produces acute distinctive symptoms, usually within seconds or minutes.
• In extreme cases, can be life-threatening.
• Reaction can occur with the tiniest trace amount of food
• Mediated by an IgE antibody reaction

What causes most food intolerances and food allergies?

People react differently to different foods. Food hypersensitivity can involve reactions from the body’s own immune system such as:

• Classical immediate reaction known as food allergy which is mediated by IgE antibodies.
• Coeliac disease which is a reaction to the gluten protein and is detected by measuring anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA).
• Delayed onset food allergy or food intolerance which is detected by measuring IgG antibodies.

All three require different tests to identify them and different management. Food sensitivity can also arise from mechanisms that don’t even involve the body’s immune system. These include:

• Enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance.
• Chemical sensitivities such as reactions to food additives e.g tartrazine (E102) and sunset yellow (E110).

Symptoms of food intolerance

Food intolerance is a condition with a mixture of symptoms and can be difficult to recognise and diagnose. Those affected often suffer for years without knowing the proper steps to take, unable to enjoy normal life and activities and in some cases, unable to work.

According to charity Food Intolerance Awareness, common symptoms that food intolerance can contribute to include:

 ”I’m a GP and to be honest, I would not think of food intolerance initially, but I think we should be more aware of food intolerance and get outpatients to take a test like YorkTest.”

ITV ‘This Morning’ Resident Doctor, Dr Chris Steele MBE

The treatment

The NHS acknowledges food intolerance and recommends food diaries and elimination diets as the preferred method of treatment. Those who have chronic symptoms and are concerned that food may be a contributory factor can sometimes get involved in taking lengthy blind elimination diets which can be limited by the fact that they require a high level of patient compliance. Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems.

Using the scientifically proven and precise ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing method, the YorkTest FoodScan 113 food intolerance test identifies raised levels of food-specific IgG antibodies. By identifying foods to which an individual has had a reaction, it is used to ‘fast track’ the elimination diet and challenge process. It can remove the guess work and therefore significantly speed up the whole process of diagnosing food intolerances.

With so many unregulated, scientifically inaccurate tests on the market, it is important to choose a food intolerance test that is backed by research, accreditations and endorsements. YorkTest has over 25 years in allergy and intolerance testing and has been at the forefront of food intolerance research which has resulted in our food intolerance testing service being the only one of its kind to endorsed by medical charity Allergy UK.

It is important to note that a validated food intolerance test such as the YorkTest FoodScan 113 is aimed at those with chronic symptoms, and therefore includes comprehensive aftercare support through professionally qualified Nutritionists, to aid dietary management. Some individuals can tolerate the presence of raised food-specific IgG levels without showing symptoms. For this reason we recommend that only those with symptoms use our food intolerance testing service. If you have any doubt on if you should take a test or not, take our free symptoms check to help you confirm your next step.

Acting on the results of the FoodScan 113 food intolerance test has produced impressive results for many chronic symptom sufferers over the years – see our testimonials section. A survey commissioned by Allergy UK of over 5,000 YorkTest customers found that over 75% people enjoyed symptom relief as a result of acting on their test results, 68% of which found that relief within three weeks!

Click here to find out more about the FoodScan 113 food intolerance test

“75% of people who have bought this test have felt better within just 3 weeks after removing the offending foods from their diets!”