Can You Develop a Food Intolerance Later in Life?

The answer to the above question is a resounding yes! Though scientists aren’t sure why some adults develop an intolerance to a food that they used to ingest without an issue. In other cases, an adult may have had a food allergy as a child and outgrown it. Later in life, that intolerance could reappear.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology stated that up to four percent of adults are impacted by food allergies. Furthermore, they also noted that symptoms of a food sensitivity can happen at any age. It’s also possible to suddenly become intolerant of a food that you’ve been eating all your life.

Your Immune System

It’s important to note here that there’s a difference between food sensitivities and a food allergy. The first one usually causes discomfort but not severe symptoms. A food allergy, however, can lead to symptoms that are severe enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room and can even be life-threatening. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that about 30,000 people in the United States head to the emergency room for treatment for food allergies while approximately 200 people die.

To make things even more challenging, some people might find that their bodies have an immune reaction because of things that you breathe in like tree pollen. If you have such an allergy, it’s more likely that you’ll develop a reaction to other tree products as well such as tree nuts, fruits or vegetable.

Symptoms of a Food Intolerance or Allergy

An allergic reaction is nearly always quick, happening within just a few minutes after eating. If you have an intolerance to a particular food, you’re likely to have gas or bloating after eating the offending food. A food allergy, however, can cause more severe symptoms like coughing, hives, rash, vomiting, swelling of the tongue and lips, itchiness and shortness of breath. In the most severe cases, you could go into anaphylactic shock which is a life-threatening reaction. If your throat begins to tighten or you experience other severe symptoms, it’s important to go to the nearest emergency room immediately and without delay.

If you have any kind of unusual reaction after eating, it’s important to try to figure out what you’re allergic to. Instead, after receiving emergency care, if necessary, make an appointment to see your regular doctor.

Allergy or Aging Symptom?

It possible that an allergy could result in symptoms that you might otherwise associate with getting older. Though it depends on the particular person, symptoms like fatigue and sore muscles can actually be the body’s reaction to an allergen.

One common food allergy symptom is fatigue that’s caused by inflammation in the sinus cavity. Another is muscle soreness due to the increased levels of histamine throughout your body. Although you probably think that soreness and fatigue are inevitable as you age, it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor about your symptoms to rule out any other potential causes.

Think you may have a food sensitivity? Find out for sure at BackFit. We can do a full panel of sensitivity testing with just a finger prick!