What Is The Difference Between Food Allergies And Food Intolerance?

Dr. Wesley Burks answers the question: 'Food Allergies Versus Food Intolerance?'

By
Wesley Burks, M.D., Chief, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center
March 25, 2008, 12:33 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Question: What is the difference between food allergies and food intolerance?

Answer: Food allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system, whereas food intolerance is something specific for that individual. An example of food intolerance might be lactose intolerance, where that particular individual lacks an enzyme in their gastrointestinal tract that will help them absorb lactose. And so when they drink, like, milk products, then they have excessive gas or diarrhea because of the lack of that digestion.

So it's caused by the lack of that enzyme, whereas, again, food allergy is caused by an abnormal response of our immune system.

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