Difference between Food Intolerance and Allergy
Sometimes the immune system produces antibodies called immunoglobulin to specific foods. Depending on whether the immunoglobulins are IgG or IgE, they can cause either food intolerance or a food allergy. There are important differences in the two reactions.
Food Intolerance (IgG) |
Food Allergy (IgE) |
Slow onset: hours to days after eating |
Rapid onset: minutes to hours after eating |
Reactions are usually to foods eaten most |
Reactions are relatively rare |
Chronic disease strongly associated with |
Is an acute reaction: usually quick and |
Can affect any tissue or organ in the body |
Usually affects airways, skin or intestine |
Difficult to detect without testing |
Readily apparent after eating food allergen |