Adverse Reactions to Food: Allergies and Intolerances

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the population alters their diet because of adverse reactions to food?

20% (correct)

10%

30%

40%

What are the body systems that might be affected by adverse reactions to food?

Nervous, circulatory, and muscular systems

Immune, integumentary, and lymphatic systems

Endocrine, excretory, and skeletal systems

Digestive tract, respiratory systems, and skin (correct)

What is an adverse immune-mediated reaction to a food protein or hapten?

Food sensitivity

Food allergy (correct)

Food hypersensitivity

Food intolerance

What is the term for food allergies and intolerances that result in distressing symptoms and adverse health effects?

Adverse Reactions to Food (ARF) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a small molecule that can elicit an immune response only when attached to a large carrier protein?

Hapten Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a food that can cause a life-threatening anaphylaxis in some individuals?

Peanuts Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the tolerated level of histamine in the body is exceeded?

Symptoms of excessive histamine develop Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of people who are more sensitive to histamine?

They have a genetically determined inability to catabolize histamine Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following foods is NOT high in histamine content?

Pineapples Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason for an excessive reaction to histamine in histamine intolerance?

A deficiency of the enzymes that deactivate histamine Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of food allergy or intolerance in certain disorders?

It is emerging as a potential contributing factor in various disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in diagnosing adverse reactions to food?

Taking a detailed clinical history Signup and view all the answers

What can biochemical tests rule out in diagnosing adverse reactions to food?

Nonallergenic causes of symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of adverse reactions to food?

Proof that the food causes an adverse response and verification of an immune or non-immune-mediated response Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of plotting anthropometric measurements on a growth chart?

To assess the overall growth and development of infants and children Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a 7- to 14-day food and symptom record?

To identify possible nutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an elimination diet?

To eliminate suspect foods from the diet for a specified period Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a food and symptom record during an elimination diet?

To ensure all forms of suspected foods have been eliminated Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reintroducing foods into the diet during an elimination diet?

To determine any adverse reactions to foods Signup and view all the answers

What may be used for additional nutrition support in adults on an elimination diet?

Elemental formulas, medical foods, or hypoallergenic formulas Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered if symptoms persist with careful avoidance of suspect foods?

Other causes for the symptoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of personalizing an elimination diet?

To tailor the diet to an individual's needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition for excluding a food from the diet?

A positive result on a skin prick test or allergen-specific IgE blood test Signup and view all the answers

When is an oral food challenge conducted?

Once symptoms have resolved and the person is not taking any medications Signup and view all the answers

Why is the form of the food ingested an important consideration in the nutritional assessment of ARFs?

Because some people may tolerate baked forms of proteins but not the unbaked form Signup and view all the answers

What should be listed on food labels?

The top eight allergens and their specific types Signup and view all the answers

Why is restoring gut health important in managing allergic responses?

Because 70% of immune cells are located in the gut-associated lymphatic tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is an important measure to restore gut health?

Optimizing stomach acidity and enzyme function Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to monitor nutritional adequacy?

To evaluate the patient's nutritional status and food and symptom records Signup and view all the answers

What should be conducted regularly to monitor nutritional adequacy?

An ongoing evaluation of the patient's nutritional status and food and symptom records Signup and view all the answers

What is the current understanding about delaying the introduction of foods to prevent atopic disease?

There is no convincing evidence that delaying introduction prevents atopic disease Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrients have been cited as potential influences on the development of allergy?

Vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and folate Signup and view all the answers

What type of diets may prevent the development of food allergies?

Diets high in antioxidants and phytonutrients Signup and view all the answers

What has been proposed as a possible contributor to the increase in food allergy in children?

Vitamin D deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential role of folate in the development of asthma and allergy?

Folate deficiency is associated with an increased risk of asthma and allergy Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential benefit of maternal consumption of fish oil in pregnancy?

It protects against the development of asthma, eczema, and allergic sensitization Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of probiotics?

Live microorganisms that impart health benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between maternal antioxidant status in pregnancy and cord blood immune responses?

There is a positive correlation between the two Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adverse Reactions to Food (ARF)

Encompass food allergy and intolerance, with growing prevalence and implicated in chronic disorders like asthma and autoimmune diseases.
20% of the population alters their diet due to ARF, affecting digestive tract, respiratory systems, and skin.
Food allergy or hypersensitivity is an adverse immune-mediated reaction to a food, usually a protein or hapten.

Definitions

Adverse Reactions to Food (ARF): Food allergies and intolerances that result in distressing symptoms and adverse health effects.
Food Allergy: Hypersensitivity, adverse immune-mediated reaction to food, usually a protein or hapten.

Histamine Intolerance

Some people are more sensitive to histamine due to a genetically determined inability to catabolize or break down histamine.
Foods with high histamine content include fermented foods, tomatoes, strawberries, sauerkraut, aged cheeses, processed meats and fish, alcoholic beverages, and leftovers.

Unclear Adverse Reactions

The role of food allergy or intolerance in behavioral disorders, neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and other clinical conditions is emerging.

Assessment

Diagnosis of ARFs requires identification of the suspected food or food ingredient, proof that the food causes an adverse response, and verification of an immune or non-immune-mediated response.
The first diagnostic tool is a detailed clinical history, followed by appropriate testing, biochemical tests, and anthropometric measurements.

MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy)

A 7- to 14-day food and symptom record is useful for uncovering ARFs and identifying possible nutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies.

Food Elimination Diet

Suspect foods are eliminated from the diet for a specified period, usually 4 to 12 weeks, followed by a reintroduction and food-challenge phase.
Elimination diets should be personalized and used to screen for allergies.

Nutritional Adequacy

The nutritional adequacy of the diet should be monitored on a regular basis by conducting an ongoing evaluation of the patient's nutritional status and food and symptom records.

Prevention of Food Allergies

Nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and other micronutrients have been cited as potential influences on the development of allergy.
Antioxidants, vitamin D, folate, and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) may prevent the development of food allergies.

Healing the Gut and Restoring Immune Balance

Restoring gut health should improve immune function and modulate allergic responses.
Measures include eliminating problematic foods, optimizing stomach acidity and enzyme function, identifying and treating pathogens, restoring intestinal barrier function, and repleting nutritional status.

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Description

This quiz covers food allergies and intolerances, including their growing prevalence, causes, and effects on health. Learn about the changes in modern diet and environmental factors that contribute to adverse reactions to food.