Sports Nutrition Lesson 15

Adverse Reactions to Food Most food we eat is safe and causes no health problems. Some people may experience mild to severe reactions, even death from certain foods. These reactions are from intolerance or allergy.

Adverse Food Reactions Food Intolerance This is the more common adverse food reactions. It does not involve the immune system. The body lacks the enzyme needed to digest the food.

Adverse Reactions to Food Symptoms of Intolerance -gastrointestinal distress -bloating -abdominal pain -nausea -diarrhea 6/african-american-kids-may-have-more-food- allergies

Adverse Food Reactions Common Foods that are not well tolerated: -fructose -high fructose corn syrup -milk -gluten

Adverse Food Reactions Food Allergy or hypersensitivity. Many foods contain allergens, usually proteins, that stimulate the body to produce antibodies specific to that food. When someone who has inherited a food allergy is first exposed to that food, the immune system reacts.

Adverse Food Reactions The immune system produces millions of antibodies. The next time the body is exposed to that food, histamine is released. Histamine causes the allergic reaction, which may involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory tract.

Adverse Food Reactions Severe cases may product anaphylactic shock and death by respiratory failure. Food allergies affect: -2-4% of adults -6-8% of children Many are outgrown. More than 700 have been identified.

Adverse Food Reactions 90% of allergens are found in: -milk -peanuts -fish -soybeans -tree nuts -wheat -eggs -crustacean shellfish

Adverse Food Reactions Additives also may cause allergic reactions. The most common one is sulfites that are used as preservatives.