Allergy v. Intolerance

The words “allergy” and intolerance” are commonly used, but not always accurately used.  Knowing the difference can help you understand your body and how it reacts to certain foods.  This reaction is often, but certainly not always, an intolerance to food, rather than a true allergy.  The easiest way to think about the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, is whether or not the immune system is affected.  In a true case of an allergic reaction, the immune system reacts, causing changes in many organs in the body—sometimes in a life-threatening way. Food intolerance is typically less serious, and many times only involves digestive problems. Read more