ABSTRACT
One ˜fth of the population alters their diet because of perceived adverse reactions to food (ARF) [1]. Dietary limitations secondary to ARF can lead to nutritional de˜ciency. Contrary to the common belief that most ARF are allergic in nature, less than a ˜fth are actually due to food allergies. The majority of ARF are due to food intolerances. Food allergies are immune-mediated responses to food proteins while food intolerances involve other mechanisms. In clinical practice, it is of paramount importance to distinguish food allergies from food intolerances because their prognosis and management are quite different. For instance, while consumption of milk in a patient with lactose intolerance may cause self-limited symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort,
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................65 Food Allergy ....................................................................................................................................66
