Food Allergies Decreased by Early Exposure

sharkman · July 5, 2015

Eating peanut products as a baby dramatically cuts the risk of allergy, a study suggests. Trials on 628 babies prone to developing peanut allergy(study occurred in Israel on Israeli babies) found the risk was cut by over 80%. The King's College London researchers said it was the first time that allergy development had been reduced. Specialists said the findings could apply to other allergies and may change diets around the world.

I've never had issues with allergies, but it's amazing to me how conventional scientific wisdom once again turns out to be wrong. Parents with children at risk have apparently been told to keep their toddlers away from peanut products until 5 years old.

This reminds me of the advice that exposure to germs and bacteria helps young children build up their immunity.

Edited July 5, 2015 by sharkman

msj · July 5, 2015

Oh, I didn't know the forum has an expert on the consensus conventional wisdom view of scientific enquiries into allergies.

Maybe some links to show us this conventional wisdom?

sharkman · July 5, 2015

Whoops, I didn't include the link, it should be there now. Any thoughts on the subject? Do you know anyone with peanut allergies?

Edited July 5, 2015 by sharkman

msj · July 5, 2015

It looks to me that some science is finally being performed in this area.

It takes funds and planing and people to do science so it is no surprise that doctors or scientists will caution, and continue to caution in light of these results, that people be careful and it is safer to avoid the allergen than to start eating nuts like there is no tomorrow.

IOW: people should not take the results from one study using low risk kids as a starting point to train themselves or their kids to get better.

My wife is allergic to walnuts. Most other nuts do not bother her but walnuts do despite eating them in abundance as a kid and into early adulthood.

Once in awhile she has a little walnut (usually by eating someone else's baking) and has a reaction but as long as she doesn't eat too many she is fine.

She prefers to avoid them now and substitutes pecans or peanuts with no problems so who knows what any of that will mean to the science community other than some random noise and that people's bodies change over time.

On Guard for Thee · July 6, 2015

This study caught my eye:

I've never had issues with allergies, but it's amazing to me how conventional scientific wisdom once again turns out to be wrong. Parents with children at risk have apparently been told to keep their toddlers away from peanut products until 5 years old.

This reminds me of the advice that exposure to germs and bacteria helps young children build up their immunity.

Im not sure about the peanuts thing, but are you saying you doubt exposure to germs at a young age doesnt help develop our immune system...

Bryan · July 6, 2015

This is just the latest study, I've seen several of them in the past few years that had similar conclusions.

The most interesting part of this particular one, is it not only did they do the trials that resulted in a large reduction in the rates of allergies, but they also cross referenced it with studies of populations that do and do not restrict peanuts for children. That last part lines up with something I've seen many allergists say; that 'nut free' schools and daycares probably do more harm than good.

Boges · July 6, 2015

We're in a society where people like to think they have special needs. People with allergies NEED! special treatment.

There's an entire food industry based around people who "think" they have the symptoms of Celiac disease.

We can also look at Helicopterization of parenting where kids aren't allowed to even get dirty anymore.

BubberMiley · July 6, 2015

Celiac disease is a lot more common than before and they don't know why. Biopsies of those affected prove that it's not in the least bit psychological. For some reason, the intestine doesn't process gluten, causing a gradual decline in their ability to get nutrients from food. If it goes undiagnosed, it will kill them. Some people without celiac disease may choose to not eat gluten, but that doesn't explain why the actual disease has become so rampant.