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The Basics of Food Intolerance




by Marek Doyle of

Marek is a nutritional therapist, allergist and personal trainer operating in London and Basingstoke, UK.

In the UK, there is a great many people who are constantly ill, tired or overweight. Most of these individuals eat poor quality food, eat too much of it, do not get to bed on time and continually insult their immune system through poor self-care. However, there is also a sizeable minority that are health-conscious, that are studious in their food choices and make and effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet still suffer the same fate. Whenever this occurs, food intolerance should be considered. 

Firstly, it is important to establish the difference between allergy and intolerance. Technically speaking, they are both labels that describe different levels of allergic reaction, and some institutions will use the allergy label to refer all to all allergic reactions. However, for most practitioners (including myself), allergy refers to a Type A allergic reactions, mediated by IgE antibodies and involve the release of histamine  this results in an immediate reaction, including anaphylactic reactions. Examples of these Type A reactions include well-known issues like asthma, migraine, and eczema. Obviously, these are more noticeable reactions. Intolerance is the term used to described a Type B allergic reactions, mediated by IgG antibodies and do not involve histamine) are less obvious  they are delayed in their onset and tend to cause less specific complaints.

Allergies and intolerances are both different issues, but share the common ground; both exist as a result of an over-reaction of the immune system to a foreign protein. Equally, both classical allergy and food intolerance have been poorly-understood and have affecting a minor proportion of the population, with the unexplained problems that tainted the lives of sufferers destined to remain exactly that. However, whilst the NHS has finally accepted the existance of allergy as real and treats it as such, the same cannot be said for food intolerance, despite its increasing rate of occurance.

Diagnosis of food allergies have come some way since the not-so-distant days when the medical establishment insisted that allergy was a psychological condition.  As a result, many allergy sufferers are able to enjoy symptom-free lives with the aid of prudent checks on food labels. However, the establishment consistently ignores patients who suffer from Food Intolerance  I do not criticize the NHS protocol for dealing with intolerances because it simply does not exist. The NHS stance recognises allergy, but not intolerance.

Food intolerance is raging. Stress, poor digestion and poor diet are the external influences most likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Stress leads to poor digestion, which leads to undigested larger food molecules getting into the bloodstream  the immune system then reacts to these foreign bodies which, if stressed, leads to over-production of antibodies to the invading substance. This excessive number of antibodies will now cause an allergic reaction the next time the food is consumed. Modern lifestyles tend to dictate a regime high in stress, poor digestion and poor diet, so much so that 70% of households now suffer with food intolerance. Most sufferers do not know that is the food they eat that causes them problems.


As mentioned previously, these problems are less specific, and can effect individuals in very different ways. A wheat intolerance could cause persistent colds, acne, chest pain and ringing in the ears for one person, yet could be to blame for excessive sweating, constipation and mouth ulcers in another. The most common symptoms that bring people to seek help are poor resistance to illness, constant tiredness and difficulty in losing weight. Many people suffering from intolerance may never know why they experience such trouble; many simply except it as a fact of life. It is wise to point out, at this point, that poor nutrition can cause any of the symptoms mentioned above (as well as those not mentioned), so consider both issues if you are seriously addressing your health.

Sufferers of intolerance need not endure such issues. Because an intolerance is simply an over-reaction of the immune system that compromises the bodys functions, switching off this over-reaction illeviates the problems. This can be done by avoidance of the trigger (eg. the offending food), strengthening the immune system and administering the patient with desensitization solutions, which allow the body to adjust to the presence of the substance in the body without sparking an over-reaction. Having successfully treated the intolerance, it is very important that the pattern of behaviour that gave rise to the allergic condition is discontinued.

So what should an individual do if they suspect food intolerance?  As tempting as it is, self-diagnosis is ill-advised; it is guesswork. The wise decision is to speak to an allergy therapist, who may test you in the following ways:

  • Skinprick testing  favoured by the NHS, injects diluted solutions of an allergen under the skin, tests for Food Allergies only. Its clinical use in hospitals often gives a false impression of its accuracy.
  • Muscle testing  tests muscle integrity after exposure to substances, favoured by the British Institute of Allergy and Environmental. Detects Allergies and Intolerance. Considered more accurate than other predictive tests as the actual reaction of the body is measured, although is subjective and is totally dependent on the skill of the practitioner.
  • ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test  a lab test that detects Food Intolerance by checking blood for elevated counts of IgG antibodies. Considered accurate to assessing food intolerance and a useful tool, and forms part of the Combined Allergy Test.
  • Coca Pulse test  a method that involves measuring the patient's immune system response to a variety of foods but taking a pulse before and after eating various meals. When conducted badly, can be difficult to interpret but, used well, can provide accurate feedback from the body that is not available through other testing methods.
  • Vega test   plugs patient into a machine to test reaction to particular allergens. Tests for Allergies and Intolerance. Accuracy varies in relation to the actual equipment and skill of the practitioner.
  • Elimination diet  exactly what it says on the tin, and the only 100% accurate test for intolerance. The proof is in the pudding!

OF course, diagnosis is only the first half of dealing with the problem. Following the appropriate treatment is very important  but creating the right environment to promote health restoration is crucial. This is where good nutrition comes in. An augmented nutrition program must be introduced to encourage healing, with particular attention paid to the intestines (a lack of integrity in the intestinal wall goes hand in hand with allergic reaction). This would include plenty of essential oils, fibre, glutamine and zinc, together with a good generic vitamin/mineral intake.

As with all health issues, combining specific treatment for the issue involved together with addressing the total matter of well-being will always prove most effective and most efficient. The body is a synergistic unit, and operates when a natural balance is restored. In the case of allergic reactions, this means restoring digestive function (eliminating the root cause of most intolerance reactions), removing allergy triggers and causative habits, reducing immune system stress through fortification of the body through exercise and healthy living, and enhancing nutritional intake to maximise recovery and long-term welfare.


About the Author:
Marek is a London nutritionist and the pioneer of the Combined Allergy Test. He is also an elite personal trainer with studios in West London and Basingstoke. He has been recognised as one of the top trainers in the UK and counts world champion athletes, cover models and TV personalities amongst his clientele. His website is




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