From Culinary to Cautionary: Food Allergy Biology, Exposure, & Treatment

I discovered, in a moderately traumatic manner, that I had anaphylactic food allergies when I was six years old. Obviously, a numerous amount of adjustments were necessary to ensure survival in everyday life, in every meal. However, aside from the EpiPens and nut-free snacks, the one concept I could not grasp was, Why me? Why would I have this allergy when nobody else around me did? None of my relatives struggled with this burden, so maybe I was some genetic pariah? Maybe my picky eating caused my body to reject this foreign food? It took me 11 years to truly delve into the details of my allergy origin, but the explanation is as follows.

According to Harvard University health experts, the immune system, a segment of the body whose responsibility is to defend from invaders, is (somewhat ironically) what causes such a terrifying and destructive food allergy reaction. Bodies with food allergies identify ordinarily harmless foods as a threat, creating an antibody labeled immunoglobulin E (IgE). This antibody production is a body’s mechanism to reach cells that release chemicals, therefore manifesting in physical symptoms in the throat, lungs, skin, and nose. Common reaction evidence includes hives, itchiness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, swelling (particularly in the throat), and more. Essentially, food allergies are a body’s mistake where culinary transforms into cautionary.

Some studies, including one published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that allergies can be prevented by using the allergens themselves. In this analysis, investigators examined children who demonstrated indicators of peanut allergies: egg allergies and/or eczema (a skin disorder). After being split into two random groups, one was told to ensure their child did not consume peanuts or any peanut products (peanut butter, peanut snacks, etc.) until five years of age, while the other was asked to feed their child Bamba (a peanut-based goodie) three times every week until five years of age. The results suggest that those who eat peanuts at a young age, despite displaying inclinations towards allergies, develop an immunity for this food. In the first group (no peanuts allowed), 13.7% of children developed allergies, while the second group (peanut snack) only had 1.9% of children who developed allergies. This could advocate for the argument that mild food exposure could help minimize the impacts and risks of food allergies, particularly for the allergy-prone.

This is not the sole investigation that has suggested this strategy. Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) released a study in 2015, which observed that peanut allergies were ten times more common in the United Kingdom compared to Israel, as the United Kingdom had delayed inauguration of peanut baby snacks into their childrens’ diets. Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) has since conducted similar research, discovering that long-lasting tolerance can be assisted if the allergen is introduced early.

While scholars seem to strongly focus upon peanut allergies, there is also evidence that this early allergy addition method could work for egg allergies; however, further research is necessary in order to fully comprehend the advantages and downsides of this approach for all foods.

It seems that the current discussion has been largely about initial prevention attempts, so what about treatments for those who already have allergies? Before delving into unrealistic miracle-like cures, it is valuable to note that “treatment” also relates to seemingly simple actions, including reading labels, always carrying an EpiPen, inquiring about ingredients, and more. However, immunotherapy is also rising as a method to decrease sensitivity within the immune system to specific allergens. Food allergens are ingested (oral immunotherapy) or injected (epicutaneous immunotherapy) to discipline the body to stop recognizing the ingredient as dangerous, therefore attempting to reduce reactions. Additionally, biologic drugs are a treatment that can be used alone or paired with immunotherapy in order to prevent internal biological communication in an attempt to inhibit reaction symptoms.

Researchers are continuing to work on potential therapies, among them being probiotics and vaccines, to understand and diminish life-threatening, catastrophic reactions. Overall, it seems that extensive examination of multiple aspects of food allergies is fundamental to completely interpret causes and remedies. Nonetheless, we can and should remain optimistic that experts actually are investigating these very topics right now, including medical care, biological justifications, non-peanut procedures, and more. Especially considering our modern technology and opportunities to expand upon our knowledge, the expectation is that these dilemmas will be somewhat assuaged (if not eliminated) in the future. There is absolutely no need or reason to live in constant fear of developing these allergies or to overcompensate by overindulging yourself or your child in these ingredients; it seems that, as of right now, simple exposure and eating as you please might be the most productive action one may take.

References

Early introduction of other top allergens. Food Allergy Research & Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/early-introduction-other-top-allergens

Food allergy treatment landscape. Food Allergy Research & Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.foodallergy.org/research-innovation/accelerating-innovation/developing-effective-treatments/food-allergy-treatment

The immune system. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022, January 5). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/the-immune-system#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20immune%20system,and%20proteins%20that%20work%20together.

Immunoglobulin E (IGE) defined. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Allergy,-Asthma-Immunology-Glossary/Immunoglobulin-E-(IgE)-Defined#:~:text=Immunoglobulin%20E%20(IgE)%20are%20antibodies,chemicals%2C%20causing%20an%20allergic%20reaction.

Learning early about peanut allergy (LEAP). Food Allergy Research & Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/learning-early-about-peanut-allergy-leap

Promising future therapies. Food Allergy Research & Education. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/promising-future-therapies

Shreffler, W., Savage, J., & Xavier, R. (2015, March). Was it something I ate? understanding food allergies. Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved July 7, 2022, from https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/assets/Sites/Longwood_Seminars/2015_Longwood%20Seminar%20Allergy%20Reading%20Pack.pdf