Allergy definitions...

Have you ever been told your child (or yourself) doesn't have a "real allergy"??   Ummmm... define "real". Funny thing is, when you are sick, who cares what it is called?!

Anyway, as my dear husband's doc said to him one day... "Man, it doesn't matter what the label is.. YOU can't eat it!" Nuff' said.

I was surfing and found these great definitions from a website in Canada (here).  So maybe when someone tells you that your food issues aren't "real"... you can give them a little medical lingo to explain.  [Oh!  And don't forget, this website isn't a medical one... you still need to talk with your doc about food issues.]

Food Intolerance definition: Intolerance refers to the absence of specific chemicals or enzymes needed to digest a food substance. Intolerance is not a disease or an allergy as it does not trigger an immune response involving antibodies.

Sensitivity definition: Food and environmental sensitivities refer to an adverse reaction when the body is exposed to a sensitizing factor in the environment or in food. It does not involve antibodies, but may involve other aspects of the immune system (increased intestinal permeability or a leaky gut). Most food and chemical reactions are considered sensitivities.

Allergy definition: Allergy refers to the immune system's hypersensitivity to an offending substance involving elevation of specific antibodies due to antigen stimulus. It is an immune system reaction to a substance that other people find harmless. Allergic reactions are classified into two categories, immediate and delayed, up to 72 hours. They can range from mild to severe which can cause anaphylactic shock.

Eat healthy, live well....
The Cornbread Girl