Allergies
LATEST STORIES
Why Allergy-Friendly Foods Can Make All the Difference
Gain advice for how to better navigate the food world with food allergies.
Why It’s Worth it to Test for At-Home Food Reactions
A registered dietitian explains what food sensitivities are, what the symptoms and causes are, and what’s involved in testing for them — and the advantages of doing so.
How Climate Change Is Extending the Allergy Season — and What You Can Do About It
The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air, warmer temperatures, and longer growing seasons are increasing allergy symptoms in many parts of the world. Here’s what you can do to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
Allergies, Sensitivities, Intolerances: All About Food Reactions
Adverse reactions to many foods are on the rise, and while allergies are often more easily identifiable, sensitivities and intolerances typically are not. Regardless, they can all cause troubling effects in the body. Samantha McKinney, RD, explains the differences between food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, what the common food offenders are, how to spot signs of a reaction, and — in the case of the latter two — why those signs are often symptoms but not the root cause.
What Are the Health Benefits of Quercetin?
Quercetin can help with allergies, brain health, heart health, and more. It can easily be incorporated into your healthy eating routine.
Can Quercetin Relieve Your Seasonal Allergies?
Learn how this common nutrient can provide relief.
Which Health Conditions Are Considered Inflammatory?
Chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, Alzheimer’s, and certain types of arthritis indicate some level of inflammation.
Why Do Some People Sweat Excessively?
Though rare, hyperhidrosis can cause someone to sweat a lot.
4 Simple Ways to Detox the Air in Your Home
Do you know what you’re breathing in your home? Here’s how to improve your indoor air quality and create a healthier living environment in your home.
What Chronic Conditions Might be Exacerbated by Food Reactivity?
Food sensitivities can make chronic conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, IBS, and ulcerative colitis worse.
Is Food Reactivity On the Rise?
Yes. The most common allergenic foods are peanuts, milk, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, finfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.
Can Food Reactivity Be Healed?
Many food sensitivities can resolve over time — as long as the gut has a chance to heal and foods are reintroduced slowly.
What Are Common Triggers for Food Intolerances and Sensitivities?
Leaky gut syndrome frequently precedes food intolerances and food sensitivities. Here’s why.
Why Is it Important to Reintroduce Foods Over Time, When Possible?
Eating a wide variety of healthy foods is important for both physical and mental health, says our expert.
What Is a Food Intolerance?
Unlike food allergies and food sensitivities, food intolerances do not involve the immune system. Here’s why.
What Is a Food Sensitivity?
Food sensitivities often cause delayed — not immediate — reactions such as joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
What Is a Food Allergy?
Although the term “food allergy” is used widely, it refers to a food exposure that triggers an immediate, marked immune response — often involving IgE antibodies.
Do Environmental Toxins Play a Role in Food Reactivity?
Glyphosate, which is used in the herbicide Roundup, and mercury in fish can contribute to leaky gut.
Does Food Reactivity Increase the Risk of Disordered Eating?
It can, but working with a functional nutritionist can help.
What Are the Best Strategies for Coping With and Recovering From Food Reactivity?
If your symptoms are mild, you could start with an elimination diet. Otherwise, it’s best to consult with a functional-medicine practitioner.
Allergy, Sensitivity, or Intolerance? A Guide to Food-Reactivity Issues
Learn more about the difference between food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities, what might be behind their increasing prevalence, and what you can do about them.