Do you know the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? Let's distinguish one from the other, so that you know what to do in each case.
Food allergies and intolerances are hot topics since we seem increasingly concerned with removing certain food suspects from our diet. Labels reflect our sensitivities as food suppliers become increasingly conscious of the need to highlight whether a product is gluten-, wheat- or dairy-free.
The terms allergy and intolerance are often used interchangeably but they are not the same. Each requires a different approach for successful treatment.
According to Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine, up to 20 per cent of the US population perceive themselves as suffering from a food allergy but only 1 to 2 per cent of adults and 5 to 7 per cent of children have genuine food allergies.
A food allergy, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic, is an immune-system response that affects numerous organs and can cause a wide range of symptoms of varying severity; some can even be life threatening. With a food allergy, even a tiny amount of the offender will cause a reaction. The most common allergens are nuts, shellfish, soy, eggs and gluten.
Symptoms can range from digestive bloating, vomiting and cramping to tingling sensations in the mouth, hives, swelling and eczema. If it is a true allergy, it is unlikely that you would be able to eat this food again without experiencing symptoms. Complete avoidance of the food is essential.
In contrast, a food intolerance does not cause any response from the immune system. Symptoms are generally related to the digestive system and vary from mild bloating to severe digestive discomfort, although lethargy and migraines can also be related.
Intolerances are also dose-specific. Management of an intolerance usually involves the temporary removal of the suspected food from the diet for three months, allowing the digestive system to recover before reintroducing it, if desired, in small quantities.
The best way to protect yourself from food intolerances is to eat a varied diet and avoid eating the same foods day after day.
Laura Holland is a well-being consultant and nutritional therapist. For more information, visit www.BeUtifulYou.co.uk
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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