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Way back as a youngster we were taught to drink our glass (or two) of cow’s milk per day. This was considered an essential part of  growing up big and strong.  Thinking about excluding bread from your diet would be frowned upon. Today things are different. Words like “allergies” and “intolerance” are frequently used in parenting circles. Though often used, very few people are familiar with the enormous effect allergies can have on a child’s immune system and overall quality of life.

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?

An allergy is a “overreaction” of the immune system to a harmless protein like pollen or dairy. When first exposed to the allergen the body identifies it as foreign and a threat to the body. Antibodies (Immunoglobulin E or IgE) are formed. Whenever the body is exposed to this allergen the IgE levels rise and a  exaggerated immune response is set in motion. The result is inflammation and damage to tissue in different parts of the body. In severe cases anaphylactic shock can occur, resulting in death. An allergy is capable of triggering a wide array of symptoms ranging from sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes to ear infections, sinusitis, tonsillitis and abdominal pain.

WHAT IS INTOLERANCE?

Contrary to an allergy, intolerance does not involve an immune response from the body. Intolerance is the inability of the body to break down food into smaller components that can be absorbed into the body. The gastrointestinal track is mainly affected by intolerance resulting in stomach cramps, diarrhea and nausea.

WHAT CAUSES AN ALLERGY?

An allergy itself is not hereditary but the tendency to develop an allergy is. Some children are born with a sensitivity to chemical compounds like proteins in food or inhalants like pollen or grass. This sensitivity can develop before birth and expectant mothers are advised to avoid those foods which they themselves are allergic to while they are still pregnant. If a child is exposed to an allergen too early in his or her life, an allergy can develop. It is wise to not offer known allergens like dairy, fish and citrus to a child under the age of one. Egg should be avoided ’till the age of two. Dairy is a fairly new addition to the human diet and it is therefore not surprising that the human body views it as foreign. Worldwide allergies are on the increase and the the overall census is that pollution is to blame. Cigarette smoke is known to trigger allergies and a child who’s parents smoke has a much bigger risk to develop multiple allergies.  Global warming seems to have a influence as warmer temperatures mean longer pollen seasons and the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the air are responsible for the increased pollen concentration.

WHAT CAUSES INTOLERANCE?

Intolerance is normally due to the lack of certain enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. For lactose (found in dairy products) to be digested the enzyme” lactase” is needed.  In the absence of this enzyme the lactose cannot be digested and builds up in the gut. In order to get rid of this undigested food particles the longer intestines make use of carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen. This has the nasty effect of flatulence, cramps and feeling bloated.

An allergic reaction can be triggered within minutes or two hours after exposure to a SMALL amount of the allergen. Peanut allergies can be severe and lead to anaphylactic shock within seconds after contact with a very small amount. An intolerance is often dose related which means a person can normally tolerate small amounts of the food in question. The higher the dose, the more severe the intolerance.

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