Food intolerance is a reaction of the immune system to a specific food. According to sources, it is also called food hypersensitivity, type III food allergy, or simply food intolerance. The reaction consists in IgG antibodies binding to the protein of the problem food, which is called antigen. This antigen-antibody complex is generated in certain body tissues. The body then triggers an inflammatory process to destroy these antigens. If the antigens are present in large quantities (large food intake), the body cannot break the cycle, which causes chronic inflammation.

A person’s sensitivity varies according to his or her genetic profile, immune system, digestive function, intestinal barrier, microbiota (intestinal flora), frequency and amount of food antigens ingested, etc. The leaky gut syndrome is often associated with an increase in food intolerances and intensity of symptoms.

Some symptoms may indicate that a person is intolerant to certain foods. These symptoms may come on quickly or they may come on hours, even days after ingesting the food, which makes it difficult to identify. The symptoms and reactions can vary from a person to another or from a period to another for the same person. In the long run, food intolerances can affect your quality of life and your health.