Food Allergy & Food Intolerance

Question 1

What is the general mechanism to a food allergy?

Answer 1

IgE antibodies produced in response to allergen

Question 2

How does coeliac disease occur?

Answer 2

The body produced antibodies against tissue proteins these are triggered by gluten

Question 3

What are the symptoms of Coeliac disease?

Answer 3

Weight loss, abdominal distension, flatulence, steatorrhoea, micronutrient deficiencies

Question 4

What defect causes non immune mediated reactions?

Answer 4

Enzyme defects

Question 5

What is phenylketonuria and what should be avoided with this?

Answer 5

Defective breakdown of amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine

Aspartame and high protein foods should be avoided

Question 6

How should a patient with phenylketonuria be treated?

Answer 6

Patient should reduce protein diet to limit Phe

This should be supplement led with Phe amino acid mix to provide adequate protein

Question 7

What are the problems associated with reducing protein in the diet?

Answer 7

Reduced calcium in diet

Iron supplements needed

Question 8

What can be given to a child who is allergic to cows milk?

Answer 8

Soya based formula 
Colief - lactase drops 
Enfamil lactofree powder 
Nutramigen (cow free milk) 
Pepti-junior (cows milk free)

Question 9

How can an intolerance or allergic reaction be diagnosed?

Answer 9

Skin prick tests
Elimination of food from diet
Children- failure to thrive due to malabsorption or maldigestion
Adults - allergic symptoms, migraine, IBS

Question 10

What is food intolerance?

Answer 10

A reproducible effect which causes an adverse reaction to a specific food