Citric acid intolerance
Encyclopedia
Citric acid intolerance is a little-known type of food intolerance
in which sufferers report various symptoms in response to foods or other products containing citric acid
that they attribute neither to its properties as an acid nor to an Aspergillus niger
hypersensitivity. (In addition to foods naturally rich in citric acid, the fungus Aspergillus niger is a common source of citric acid.)
A form of citrate metabolism called the Citric acid cycle
is an essential step in the production of Adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) for human beings and all other eukaryotes. This process takes place in the mitochondria of all cells that contain them. However, according to a website by Vicky Clarke, some people report gas, migraines, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, or skin rashes after contact with citric acid.
As with all food intolerances, symptoms may vary between individuals and can mimic those of a food allergy
. It mimics allergies to such a degree that some people refer to it as a Citric Acid Allergy. A food intolerance (sometimes called food sensitivity) is a body's inability to digest certain compounds in food. The reasons that this happens seems to be caused by several factors, and more research needs to be done to determine what all of these factors are.
Food intolerances appear to cause reactions in direct proportion to the amount of the offending substance ingested, whereas, any amount of an allergen will cause the immune system to react. According to a website by Luke Hawthorne, in addition to abdominal problems, other reactions to citric acid have been experienced, including hives and other rashes, blurred vision, rhinitis
and difficulty breathing.
It's vitally important to determine whether or not a person has an allergy or an intolerance, and the only way to do this is to see a licensed doctor, preferably an allergist or other specialist.
Food intolerance
Food intolerance or non-allergic food hypersensitivity is a term used widely for varied physiological responses associated with a particular food, or compound found in a range of foods....
in which sufferers report various symptoms in response to foods or other products containing citric acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...
that they attribute neither to its properties as an acid nor to an Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus niger is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus Aspergillus. It causes a disease called black mold on certain fruits and vegetables such as grapes, onions, and peanuts, and is a common contaminant of food...
hypersensitivity. (In addition to foods naturally rich in citric acid, the fungus Aspergillus niger is a common source of citric acid.)
A form of citrate metabolism called the Citric acid cycle
Citric acid cycle
The citric acid cycle — also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle , the Krebs cycle, or the Szent-Györgyi-Krebs cycle — is a series of chemical reactions which is used by all aerobic living organisms to generate energy through the oxidization of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats and...
is an essential step in the production of Adenosine triphosphate
Adenosine triphosphate
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate is a multifunctional nucleoside triphosphate used in cells as a coenzyme. It is often called the "molecular unit of currency" of intracellular energy transfer. ATP transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism...
(ATP) for human beings and all other eukaryotes. This process takes place in the mitochondria of all cells that contain them. However, according to a website by Vicky Clarke, some people report gas, migraines, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, or skin rashes after contact with citric acid.
As with all food intolerances, symptoms may vary between individuals and can mimic those of a food allergy
Food allergy
A food allergy is an adverse immune response to a food protein. They are distinct from other adverse responses to food, such as food intolerance, pharmacological reactions, and toxin-mediated reactions....
. It mimics allergies to such a degree that some people refer to it as a Citric Acid Allergy. A food intolerance (sometimes called food sensitivity) is a body's inability to digest certain compounds in food. The reasons that this happens seems to be caused by several factors, and more research needs to be done to determine what all of these factors are.
Food intolerances appear to cause reactions in direct proportion to the amount of the offending substance ingested, whereas, any amount of an allergen will cause the immune system to react. According to a website by Luke Hawthorne, in addition to abdominal problems, other reactions to citric acid have been experienced, including hives and other rashes, blurred vision, rhinitis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis , commonly known as a stuffy nose, is the medical term describing irritation and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose. The primary symptom of rhinitis is nasal dripping. It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses, bacteria or...
and difficulty breathing.
It's vitally important to determine whether or not a person has an allergy or an intolerance, and the only way to do this is to see a licensed doctor, preferably an allergist or other specialist.