| Food intolerance is becoming much more of a | | | | gluten intolerance. (Gluten is a protein found in |
| household phrase these days. For those who | | | | wheat.) These conditions have gotten a lot of |
| haven't thought about it much or never had a | | | | press lately, and for good reason: gluten |
| reason to look into it, this is a basic guide to what | | | | intolerance, also called celiac disease in its most |
| it is, what some of the most common | | | | serious form, has been linked to behavioral |
| intolerances are, and some other related | | | | problems, weight gain, and even autism. |
| information. | | | | Celiac disease is an incurable condition that causes |
| Food intolerances can come from a variety of | | | | the immune system to attack a person's own |
| sources. For example, some people can't tolerate | | | | body. In this case, the autoimmune response is |
| citrus fruits or other acidic foods. The food | | | | triggered by eating foods that contain gluten. |
| intolerances that trouble most people are | | | | Celiac disease can cause all of the symptoms of |
| chemicals (such as aspartame or preservatives), | | | | food intolerance, plus stunted growth and skin |
| natural compounds (like caffeine), wheat and | | | | conditions. Left unchecked, it can eventually cause |
| gluten, and, of course, lactose. | | | | bone disease, anemia, and even cancer. |
| Sometimes it's hard to distinguish a food | | | | Unfortunately, gluten is found in all wheat |
| intolerance from a food allergy. Their symptoms | | | | products, and even in some products made from |
| can be quite similar, but actually they are | | | | barley, rye, and oats. That means that people |
| completely different bodily responses. A food | | | | with gluten intolerance need to avoid certain |
| intolerance is a digestive system problem. | | | | alcohols, like beer. Wheat can also be found in |
| If you have a food intolerance, you might | | | | unexpected places. It's often used as a filler in |
| experience headaches, gastrointestinal problems, | | | | ground meat and sausage. |
| or weight gain. (Wine, cheese and chocolate are | | | | There are many gluten-free and wheat-free |
| notorious headache causers.) Gastrointestinal | | | | breads, pastas, and cereals - but they're not |
| issues can include gas, bloating, constipation, or | | | | created equal. Just because a product is |
| diarrhea, which are sometimes mistaken for | | | | gluten-free doesn't necessarily mean it's safe for |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You might also have | | | | people with wheat intolerance. Gluten-free |
| allergy-like symptoms such as a runny nose, | | | | products can contain other wheat substances. |
| hives, or difficulty breathing. | | | | Likewise, wheat-free products might contain |
| Lactose intolerance is one of the most common | | | | barley, rye, or oats. |
| things people suffer from. It is caused by a | | | | Basically, people who suffer from a gluten |
| shortage of the lactase enzyme. Instead of | | | | intolerance must become very good label readers! |
| digesting lactose normally, people with too little | | | | If you suspect wheat, gluten, or any other |
| lactase can't process milk sugars properly. When | | | | intolerance, speak with your doctor as soon as |
| they consume dairy products, the result is fatigue, | | | | you can. They will make a firm diagnosis and give |
| nausea, and a host of other digestive problems | | | | you dietary guidelines to follow. |
| such as gas and bloating. | | | | There is a great food intolerance test on the |
| How serious is lactose intolerance? Children | | | | market that I would recommend to anyone who |
| younger than two are especially susceptible to it. | | | | thinks they may be affected by one or several |
| These children often need a special non-dairy | | | | food products. It takes the guesswork out of |
| formula to ensure proper nutrition. Most adults | | | | figuring out what is causing the problem. |
| with lactose intolerance (5% of all adults in Ireland | | | | Visit |
| and the UK) can tolerate a tiny amount of dairy in | | | | If you find out you do have an intolerance, seek |
| their diets. Others can tolerate none at all. | | | | nutrition guidance, as when patients attempt to |
| Though more rare, foods that contain artificial | | | | cut out the offending food group, it can cause |
| preservatives, sweeteners, flavor enhancers, and | | | | malnourishment. For example, some people avoid |
| colors sometimes trigger painful symptoms in | | | | dairy products altogether because of their lactose |
| people with an intolerance to such substances. | | | | intolerance. Without a good substitute, they risk |
| Another very common intolerance is wheat or | | | | calcium deficiency. |