Food Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnostic Testing

Food intolerance occurs when the body can’t digest specific foods, which results in symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. While not life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities.

But with the right knowledge, managing the condition becomes easier and less disruptive to daily life.

This article covers food intolerance meaning, its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and management.

What is Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance, also known as food sensitivity, is a condition in which the digestive system has difficulty breaking down certain foods or ingredients. Unlike a food allergy, which triggers an immune system response, food intolerance primarily affects the digestive system and is not life-threatening.

What are the Causes of Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance occurs when the body cannot properly digest certain foods or ingredients. The most common causes include:

• Enzyme Deficiency: The most frequent cause. The body lacks sufficient enzymes needed to break down certain foods. Lactose intolerance is a key example.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): People with IBS often have multiple food intolerances. The condition makes the digestive system more sensitive to certain foods.
• Sensitivity to Naturally Occurring Chemicals: Certain foods contain natural chemicals such as histamine, salicylates, and caffeine that some people cannot process efficiently, leading to adverse reactions.
• Celiac Disease and Other Digestive Conditions: Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease can make the digestive system more prone to food sensitivities.

What are the Types of Food Intolerance?

There are several types of food intolerance, each triggered by a different food or ingredient. The most common ones are:

• Lactose: This is the most common type. It occurs due to a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which is needed to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, gas, and stomach pain.
• Gluten: This occurs when the body has difficulty digesting gluten, a protein found in rye, barley, and wheat. Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, headaches, depression or anxiety, fatigue, and joint pain.
• Histamine: This intolerance happens when the body cannot properly break down histamine, a naturally occurring chemical found in foods like aged cheese, wine, fermented foods, and cured meats. Symptoms include headaches, skin flushing, hives, and stomach cramps.
• Caffeine: Some people are unable to metabolize caffeine properly. This leads to symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness, even after consuming small amounts.
• Fructose: Occurs when the body cannot properly absorb fructose, a sugar found in fruits, honey, and some vegetables. Common symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

What are Some Food Intolerance Symptoms?

Common food intolerance symptoms are:

• Bloating and excess gas
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Nausea
• Heartburn and reflux
• Headaches or migraines
• Runny nose
• Skin rashes or hives
• Joint pain
• Constipation

How is Food Intolerance Diagnosed?

Diagnosing food intolerance can be challenging as its symptoms often overlap with other digestive conditions. Healthcare providers usually perform the following food intolerance tests:

• Elimination diet: The suspected food is removed from the diet for two to six weeks. If symptoms improve and return upon reintroduction of the food, a food intolerance is likely.
• Hydrogen breath test: It’s used specifically to diagnose lactose intolerance. The patient drinks a lactose solution and breathes into a container at intervals; high hydrogen levels indicate undigested lactose.
• Blood tests: This is used to rule out food allergies by measuring immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody levels. It can also help identify certain intolerances.

How to Manage Food Intolerance?

Food intolerance symptoms can be managed through dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes:

• Avoiding or limiting trigger foods: Reduce or eliminate the food causing the reaction. Many people find that consuming small amounts of the offending food causes little to no symptoms.
• Reading food labels carefully: Identifying hidden ingredients such as sulphites, MSG, or lactose in packaged and processed foods helps avoid accidental exposure.
• Over-the-counter medications: Antacids and antidiarrheals can help relieve symptoms when they occur. Take after consulting a healthcare provider.
• Consulting a dietitian: A food and nutrition specialist can recommend a balanced diet plan that avoids trigger foods without compromising nutritional intake.

Food intolerance is a common but manageable condition. Identifying trigger foods, making informed dietary choices, and seeking guidance from a healthcare provider can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

If recurring digestive discomfort is being experienced, consult a doctor and book a food intolerance test through the Dr Lal PathLabs app.

FAQs

1. What are the most common food intolerances?

The most common food intolerances are gluten, lactose, and histamine intolerance.

2. What is the root cause of food intolerance?

The root cause of food intolerance is the body’s inability to produce sufficient digestive enzymes needed to properly break down certain foods or ingredients.