Traditional Chinese medicine constitution of individuals with food intolerance in Fuzhou areas

Abstract

Objective To investigate clinical symptoms and influencing factors of food intolerance and to identify susceptibility of food intolerance among adults with various Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitutions. Methods A total of 411 individuals were recruited by using simple sampling method.ELISA was used to test serum levels of food intolerance specific IgG antibody.TCM constitution, food intake habit, lifestyle, and biochemical data were collected. Results (1) The prevalence of food intolerace was 60.1% (247/411). (2) The most commonly seen food intolerance specific IgG were those against egg (44.9%), crab (37.7%), or cod (23.1%). Intolerance to 1 to 5 kinds of food could be found in single individual.Subhealthy people were more likely to suffer from food intolerance (P<0.05). (3) Those with food intolerance always presented with various symptoms, mainly respiratory system symptoms.(4) The most common types of TCM constitution of the participants were gentleness constitution, qi-insufficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, and dampness-heat constitution.Those of non-bloodstasis constitution were more likely to suffer from crab intolerance (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of food intolerance is relatively high in Fuzhou areas.Subhealthy status, obesity women, and pathological constitutions may be risk factors of food intolerance. Key words: Food intolerance; Specific IgG; Tradition Chinese Medicine constitution