Food intolerance is understood as the inability to consume certain foods or nutrients without suffering adverse health effects. When some food is not assimilated by the organism, due to a digestive, enzymatic or metabolic deficiency, it is called intolerance.
It should not be confused with food allergy, which occurs as a result of a reaction of the child's immune (or defensive) system, which reacts to certain substances, present in certain foods, generating a series of symptoms that can range from mild to very serious . Food intolerance affects the metabolism, but not the body's immune system. What are the symptoms of food intolerance in children?.
Since when can it be produced?
During childhood, food intolerances are more frequent due to the immaturity of the digestive system and the numerous viral and infectious processes that alter intestinal permeability, causing an abnormality in the absorption of certain foods by the body.
Since the baby begins to take complementary feeding from six months Food intolerance may manifest. Before six months it may be lactose intolerant or cow's milk protein from infant formulas that replace breastfeeding, or it may be something the mother eats that passes into the milk and bothers her.
Having a family history of intolerance in parents or siblings is a factor that predisposes to a possible intolerance.
Symptoms of food intolerance
Unlike food allergies, where the symptoms appear immediately after taking the food, the symptoms of a food intolerance can appear up to 72 hours after eating the food.
Heavy digestions
Diarrhea
Constipation
Gas
Intestinal discomfort
Stomach swelling
Vomiting
Stomachache
Eczema and itching
Headache
Joint pain
Stunted growth
Weightloss
Most frequent food intolerances in children
Although there are many food intolerances, the most frequent They are:
Lactose intolerance (milk sugar): Normally, the enzyme lactase, which is present in the small intestine, breaks down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose), so that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. When the activity of the enzyme is too low, lactose cannot be digested, and passes into the large intestine, where it is fermented by bacteria from the intestinal flora. This can cause symptoms such as flatulence, pain and diarrhea.
Gluten intolerance: Gluten is present in cereals of habitual consumption such as wheat, barley, rye or oats (or celiac disease) and in other less frequent ones. Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance that can be diagnosed at any age.
Sucrose and fructose intolerance: It is produced by the absence of the enzyme called sucrose that hydrolyzes fructose and sucrose. These sugars are present in fruits and juices or cereals. It is manifested by vomiting, jaundice, increased liver size, irritability and in some cases it can manifest with seizures. It requires a diet without fructose, sucrose and sorbitol.
Once the intolerance to a certain food is detected, it must be excluded from the diet completely or reduce the amounts and observe if the symptoms improve.
Most intolerances that occur in childhood are overcome in months or a few years. If you suspect that your child may suffer intolerance to any food, consult your doctor.
