Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is not mediated by IgE but can result in uncomfortable symptoms. However, the reaction can be delayed and usually requires much larger amounts of the offending food. The most common adverse reactions to food relate to EGGS, PEANUTS, MILK, SOY, NUTS and SHELLFISH but media attention has focussed on adverse reactions to wheat and wheat based products. Wheat allergy has also been confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which can be caused by stress, poor diet and a chronic lack of dietary fibre.

Coeliac disease is a rare but serious condition characterised by damage to the small intestinal wall due to intolerance to gluten, a protein present in wheat flour. It is mediated by the immune system, but not by IgE.