A food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food substance that is non allergic, in other words it is different from a food allergy in that it does not involve the antibodies of the immune system.  Food intolerances often involve many symptoms in many of the bodily systems, and are often caused because of the absence of a chemical that is needed to digest a food properly.

Generally speaking food intolerance occurs when certain enzymes are not present keeping food from breaking down properly. Food is generally broke down between the stomach and small intestine, and nutrients from the food are absorbed during its journey thru the small intestine. If food is not broken down or absorbed properly then by the time it hits the large intestines symptoms will occur.

General symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, heartburn or reflux, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other symptoms can occur depending on the type of food and the reason for intolerance.

Common food intolerances include those to milk and wheat. With lactose intolerance the body does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest the sugar in milk called lactose.  Undigested lactose moves thru the digestive system causing symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

Gluten intolerances are becoming more common in recent years with an estimated 12 percent of Americans suffering from some sort of gluten intolerance. Gluten is a difficult protein to digest, and when it is not properly absorbed in can cause unpleasant symptoms similar to those of milk intolerance. Gluten intolerance should not be mistaken with celiac disease which is not an intolerance but an autoimmune response to gluten.

There is a definite genetic pattern with food intolerances, with lactose intolerance being less common with Europeans, and very common in African, Asian, Mediterranean and Native American cultures. Gluten intolerance seems predominant in white European cultures.

Treatment for food intolerances is similar to that of allergies in that the offending food needs to be avoided. With intolerances it is possible that you may be able to tolerate small amounts making it easier for you to purchase foods that may have minute amounts of the food you are intolerant to.