Can high protein cause allergies?
Disease description:
Today at noon, we had guests at home, and my wife prepared a lot of delicious food, including fish, shrimp, and beef. I ate a lot, and afterward, I started feeling very uncomfortable in my stomach and developed diarrhea. My wife said it might be due to a protein allergy. Can high protein intake cause allergic reactions?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
High protein levels themselves do not directly cause allergies. Allergic reactions are typically triggered by an abnormal immune response from the body's immune system to specific substances (such as proteins found in certain foods). When the immune system mistakenly identifies these substances as threats, it releases chemicals to attack them, resulting in allergy symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, and shortness of breath.
High protein levels may refer to protein concentrations in the blood that exceed the normal range, which can be caused by various factors, including dehydration, hemoconcentration, or certain disease states. These elevated protein levels themselves do not directly trigger allergic reactions. It is important to note that if an individual is allergic to a particular protein, ingesting that protein may cause an allergic reaction; however, this is not directly related to the overall level of protein present. Therefore, individuals with protein allergies should avoid contact with or consumption of the known allergenic proteins.
