Yeast Allergies & the GI Tract

You may be allergic to yeast if you have discomfort in your gastrointestinal tract after you eat bread or other foods with yeast. Food allergies, including allergies to yeast, can cause gastrointestinal pain and other symptoms. Consult your doctor for advice on staying healthy if you think you have yeast allergies or other digestive problems.

An allergic reaction occurs when your body’s immune system responds to an external trigger, such as pollen, dust or a component of food. The most common triggers of food allergies are milk, soy, shellfish, fish, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts, according to MayoClinic.com, and yeast is another potential allergen. Symptoms of food allergies may include anaphylactic shock, hives, wheezing and swelling of the airways, skin rashes and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain.

The only way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid the allergen, such as yeast, bread or baked goods made with yeast. Breads made with fortified flour are good sources of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate and iron, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services. Fortified grain products without yeast, such as rice, pasta and breakfast cereal, can help you prevent deficiencies of these nutrients when you avoid bread.

An allergic reaction can occur when food that isn't completely digested is absorbed by your body from your gastrointestinal tract. Food allergies are less common in adults than in children due to the more mature gastrointestinal tract in adults, according to MayoClinic.com. A child who has a yeast allergy may eventually be able to eat yeast-containing foods. You can reduce your infant’s risk for developing food allergies if you offer only age-appropriate foods as you introduce solid foods into her diet.

Along with stomach pain after you eat, yeast allergies can lead to exercise-induced asthma, according to NetWellness. Symptoms of food allergies can be similar to those of food intolerances, and a doctor can help you verify the cause of your symptoms. You may confuse a yeast allergy with gluten intolerance or sensitivity because yeast and gluten are in many of the same food products, such as breads and other baked goods, according to MayoClinic.com.

Article reviewed by Kile McKenna

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Posted in: Allergies, Tract, Yeast