Health Expert Heather Reese shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/7570/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/7570/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/7570/index http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/7570/3550/food-case-identity Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:51:01 -0500 Heather Reese Nutrition expert Heather Reese breaks down the basics of common food allergies.  A food allergy occurs when the body mistakes a food item for a harmful substance, and the immune system creates antibodies to protect itself. Once this mistaken identity occurs, every time a person eats that food the body will release histamine and other chemicals, triggering an allergic reaction. This response can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/7570/3550/food-case-identity