Food intolerances vs allergies. Know the difference and how these affect your child
There is a common misconception between an allergy and an intolerance. While allergies can appear almost instantly, food intolerance symptoms can take up to 72 hours to appear. And while allergies can be life-threatening, food intolerances are quite common, affecting approximately 45% of the population. Food intolerances can however have a negative impact on many aspects of a child’s daily activities and cause significant discomfort.
If your child has ever suffered from migraines, eczema, skin rashes, fatigue, joint pain, bloating, IBS, diarrhea, nausea, sinusitis, anxiety, constipation, acne or depression, to name just a few, and you’ve battled to understand why he/she could have an intolerance towards a specific food or drink. Food intolerances occur when a person experiences an adverse physiological response to a particular food. The symptoms are very specific to the individual and the type of food in question. When you take into account that almost half of the population is affected by food intolerance, as opposed to only 2% affected by food allergies, it becomes clear how prevalent food intolerances are.
Proving the old adage that not all good food is good for all people, a new food intolerance test, OptiWay, now scans a full menu of no less than 222 different types of food. The OptiWay test is the most effective and accurate way to determine which foods trigger negative reactions and which foods can be enjoyed freely. This way, you can optimise your child’s diet by eliminating foods that initiate symptoms that could have a negative influence on their quality of life, and work towards ensuring they receive all the nutrients they need.
Testing your child for food intolerances with the OptiWay test is easy. The test is done by medical practitioners or dieticians by administering a quick finger prick that will provide a blood sample. You are also welcome to do the sample yourself at home if you feel this will be more comfortable for your little one. The sample is then analysed by a laboratory, which generates a colour coded tailor-made report, which is first presented by a medical practitioner, and then given to you to take home.
The report is an easy reference point to use when planning meals for the family or shopping. It will enable to you remove or reduce reactive foods from your child’s diet, avoid nutrient deficiencies when eliminating reactive food, substitute with similar alternatives, strengthen their immune system and reintroduce foods responsibly. You will have the answer as to what has been causing their uncomfortable cramping, or whether he/she really should have that slice of toast with their eggs. There will finally be no more guesswork at mealtime.
For more information about OptiWay visit https://www.OptiWay.co.za/
To book an Optiway test or have a test kit sent directly to your home, kindly contact your Supreme Aesthetics practice.
