| Normal 0 false false false | | | | however, they are not suffering from an allergic |
| MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 | | | | reacÂtion. |
| /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable | | | | The additives that add color, preÂserves and |
| {mso-style-name:"Table | | | | enhance the flavor of food are another common |
| so-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in | | | | cause of food intolerance. Popular among these is |
| ;font-family:"Times New | | | | the flavor enhancer MSG which can cause |
| age:#0400;mso-bidi-language:#0400;} | | | | dizziness, headaches, chest lightness and a tingling |
| Eating is one of the many enjoyable human | | | | sensation in some susceptible individuals -- a |
| expeÂriences. Most of us relish the taste of | | | | condition known as the Chinese Restaurant |
| certain foods and this pleasurÂable event | | | | Syndrome. |
| becomes even more unforgettable in the | | | | "Some people have mild inÂtolerance to |
| company of friends or loved ones. | | | | vegetables - especially peas and broccoli, which |
| In the course of eating, howÂever, some | | | | cause inÂtestinal gas. Others experience |
| people develop unÂpleasant symptoms | | | | indiÂgestion and diarrhea when they |
| depending on the kind of food they eat. These | | | | conÂsume mushrooms and certain wines," |
| people are not really abnormal; rather they are | | | | Davis added. |
| experiencing a certain degree of food sensitivity | | | | In food allergy, the susceptible person's immune |
| which a few individuals have. This condition is | | | | system reacts difÂferently to an otherwise |
| commonly referred to as food intolerance or food | | | | harmless food by producing antibodies. These |
| allergy. | | | | antibodies attack the food as if it were a deadly |
| Few people understand the true nature of food | | | | microbe and are reÂsponsible for the release |
| allergies mainly because the facts have been | | | | of histamine and other chemicals into the body |
| distorted by popular "health" books that blame | | | | which produce the all too familiar signs of allergy. |
| cerÂtain foods for a host of ills. Sugar, for | | | | "A true food allergy produces a set of specific |
| instance, is mistakenly blamed for heart disease, | | | | allergic symptoms, and this relationship can be |
| ulcers, diabetes and hypoglycemia when, in fact, | | | | repeatedly demonstrated. Classic symptoms are |
| natural foods with high concentrations of sugar | | | | abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, |
| are among the most nutritious. | | | | cramps, hives, eczema, swelling of the eyes, lips, |
| AnÂother scapegoat is monosodium | | | | face and tongue, and occasionally, hay fever-like |
| glutamate (MSG) which critics wrongly accuse of | | | | reactions. Foods most often inÂcriminated |
| proÂducing depression, behavioral problems, | | | | include milk, eggs, nuts, fish or shellfish, chocolate, |
| loss of bladder control and Alzheimer's disease. In | | | | wheat, corn, berries, peas, beans and gum arable, |
| realÂity, intolerance to MSG happens in very | | | | a thickener used in processed foods," explained |
| few people and is more likely to occur if this | | | | Davis. |
| flavor enhancer is mixed with soup. How then do | | | | The problem of food allergy, however, is not as |
| we distinguish a real food allergy or intolerance? | | | | widespread as some food faddists and quacks |
| "Food intolerance and food allergy are often | | | | want us to believe. Many people mistakÂenly |
| confused but are quite distinct: those with | | | | assume that they are allergic to something when |
| intolerÂance lack certain enzymes needed for | | | | they are not. This limits their food choices and |
| digestion, while those with allergy have an | | | | spells bad nutrition. |
| antibody reÂsponse," according to Dr. William | | | | "Fewer than 2 percent of us are allergic to foods |
| J. Davis in "The Columbia University College of | | | | - most often to peanuts or to shrimp or crab. |
| Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical | | | | That small percentage includes everyone allergic |
| Guide." | | | | to eggs, milk, fish, nuts, peas and beans, clams |
| One special example of food inÂtolerance is | | | | and oysters. Allergies to edibles of any other kind |
| lactose intolerance, a problem which affects about | | | | are rare. But that hasn't stopped millions of us |
| 65 milÂlion Americans and most peoples of | | | | from swearing something's wrong after we eat," |
| the world, especially Asians, Africans and | | | | said Mary Roach, contributing editor of In Health |
| Polynesians. This disorder is characterized by the | | | | magazine in her article, "The Allergist's Best Shot." |
| absence of an intestinal enzyme called lactase | | | | There is no way to prevent food allergies except |
| which is needed to digest lactose, one of the | | | | to avoid the foods you are allergic to. If you |
| sugars in milk. | | | | haven't identified the source of your problem, |
| Those who lack this enzyme suffer from | | | | quick relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of |
| abdominal cramps, gas and diarrhea whenever | | | | allergy can be obtained by taking over-the-counter |
| they take milk or milk products. Strictly speaking, | | | | antihistamines. |