iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll tcdhsfThtbseIgA food intolerance results in irritation and inflammation of the intestinal
tract every time that particular food is consumed. This damages the intes-
tines, causing an eventual inability to absorb nutrients, and can increase the
risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer as well as accelerating aging through
increased intestinal permeability.
IgA food intolerances may be asymptomatic, or they may present with
the following symptoms: diarrhea, loose stools, constipation, acid re-
flux, malabsorption of nutrients from foods, and increased intestinal
permeability.
They may cause IBS, gas, nausea, skin rashes (including eczema), acne,
respiratory conditions such as asthma, nasal congestion, headache, irrita-
bility, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
The most well-known IgA food reaction has been called celiac disease and
is an intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat. However, dairy
protein, egg, and soy protein IgA intolerances are also extremely com-
mon in those with Hashimoto’s. These IgA food intolerances do not have
a specific name and are often confused with less severe food absorption
syndromes.
For example, when I told my well-educated pharmacist friend I had a
dairy intolerance, she said, “Oh, I’m lactose-intolerant, too. Can’t you
just take Lactaid®?”
Of course, lactose intolerance and dairy protein intolerance are two com-
pletely different things. Lactose is a milk sugar, and the ability to digest
lactose depends on having the lactase enzyme or intestinal bacteria that
digest the milk sugar. Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, diarrhea,
and other symptoms but does not cause intestinal tissue inflammation
or damage.
A more accurate description of an IgA food reaction may be Protein-
Mediated Autoimmune Intestinal Inflammatory Reaction (PAIR).