Food Allergy News in 2010

Much has happened over the past year and individuals and families with food allergy have a lot to celebrate:

We found out that we should carry 2 doses of epinephrine.
We discovered how to turn off a food reaction in mice.
We educated the public about bullying experienced by our food allergic kids.
More allergists are trying densensitization programs with food allergic patients.
We read about the creation of a low-allergy peanut.
We're able to determine through a blood test which infants are at increased risk for developing allergies.
Researchers are on the way to discovering the gene that could be responsible for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Conferences, like one run by AAAAI, were a great source of exciting studies and new information.
The discovery of a specific molecule that  directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response helps researchers with another piece of the allergy puzzle.

So, like with many other things, we have much to be grateful for and much more to do.

Thank you readers for checking in throughout 2010. I look forward to a new year filled with many more advances in food allergy, but I can't wait for the day when I can say, "We have a cure!".

Happy New Year!


 

Read More

Support Funding for Food Allergy Research

I am so excited about all the food allergy research the past couple of years! As I've mentioned before, we've finally exited the black hole, where for nearly 10 years, there was very little study in the area of food allergies. The message we were all given was, "if you're allergic to it, avoid it". That's it. There were no other options.

Finally things are turning around.

Dr. Robert Wood, Director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, is the Principal Investigator in 24 clinical studies in hopes of learning more about food allergy and finding a cure. From studies into the use of oral immunotherapy and sublingual therapies, to research into the effective ways to deal with adolescent food allergies to decrease deaths in this high risk group, Dr. Wood and his team are forging ahead on many fronts.

So, how can we help?

Consider a financial contribution to Dr. Wood's research team. I know- money is tight for everyone, but as we look ahead to the hoilday season, I can't think of a better gift for our children (and adults) with food allergy than hope for a cure. When grandparents ask what they can give your kids this Christmas, consider asking them to make a contribution in your child's name. Rather than buying one more action figure, take that money and send it off to be used for research.

If you are able to make a financial contribution, make a check payable to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and send it to:

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Development Office
Attn: Jennifer Balzano
100 N. Charles Street, Ste. 200
Baltimore, MD 21201

Be sure to include a note with your donation stating that your gift is in support of Dr. Wood.

Just think, our dollars can go toward a cure for food allergies. No more worrying about cross contamination and allergic reactions. No more label reading for allergens. No more kids feeling left out at birthday parties and other celebrations.

I can't think of a better investment.

Read More

Probiotics and Allergic Diseases

Results are out for a new study that had pregnant and breastfeeding moms drinking probiotic milk. Their babies were followed for 2 years. The results show a 40% drop in the incidence of eczema. At this point, there was no signifigant decrease in the rate of allergy and asthma rates, but these children will be followed to the age of six in a follow-up study.

As asthma, allergy and eczema are the triumvirate (like that big word? It's Latin for 3 things that go together) , this study gives some important clues into the role of probiotics and allergic disease. Probiotics are live lactic acid bacteria that can be added to milk and some foods. There are many types of probiotic bacteria strains, so check with your doctor if considering trying probiotics as a way to prevent eczema for newborns.

Read More

Participating in Food Allergy Studies

With so many food allergy studies going on, researchers are actively recruiting individuals to participate. Those interested in being a part of a clinical study can look at lists of ongoing studies at Clinical Trials.gov. This organization is a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Read Understanding Clinical Trials to get a full appreciation of the commitment involved in a study.

FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) also maintains a list of current study needs.

It's a big decision to participate in a study. It's even bigger when deciding if you should allow your child to do so. Give it careful consideration and make the best decision for your family.

Read More

Food Allergy Molecule Discovered

So why do some people have an allergic response to something like peanuts and milk, while others have no such response. Researchers are a step closer to answering that question.

In a recent study led by Yong-Jun Liu, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, scientists singled out the molecule that specifically directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response. It's called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and these researchers believe it is the key to why food allergies develop in some people.

Information from this study may allow scientists to target this molecule in their efforts to treat and cure food allergy. Here's the abstract for those with a scientific brain.

This research is being conducted with a grant through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Here's their press release of this encouraging new study.

Read More

Monday Review- Grill Charms

This Monday Review is brought to you by Grill Charms- think wine charm for your grilled meats.

Founder and mom, Leslie Haywood, had an "A-ha moment" when her husband mistakenly gave her the extra-hot Jamaican grilled chicken, instead of the mild chicken she requested. Leslie created Grill Charms to help barbecuers everywhere identify different preferences and dietary needs.

Back in February, Leslie sent me a Grill Charm from her Pink Collection (these charms benefit breast cancer research- love that!). Finally a balmy week-end arrived and we pulled out the grill. I must admit to feeling skeptical at first that these little charms would stay in ground beef. They did. Even through my clumsy burger flipping. It worked great for my grilled chicken the next night too. It was very easy to identify the meat with the charm.

So, how does this relate to food allergies? Of course, depending upon the specific allergy, special precautions must be made when barbecuing. Marinades may contain unsafe ingredients for a person with food allergies. Certain seasonings may be unsafe and foods may look the same on the grill. By inserting a Grill Charm, mix-ups are avoided.

A few tips when grilling where food allergies are a concern:
Consider several layers of foil between the food and the grate. This prevents contamination from the grilling surface.
Use separate grilling tools to avoid cross-contamination.
Do not mix up the meats. A tool such as Grill Charms will help keep meats differentiated.

Check out Grill Charms' website. They offer several collections for steak doneness, seasoning types, Charmed Life (may be great for food allergies) and the Pink Collection (10% of the proceeds from sales goes to breast cancer research). Individual charms can be ordered with free shipping.

Leslie is offering $5.00 off your order for Food Allergy Assistant readers. Type "grilling" as the coupon code when you place your order.

Great gift for Father's Day!

As always, visit the Food Allergy Assistant for more help dealing with food allergies.

Read More

Food Challenges

Did you get to see Nightline last week when they featured food allergies and food challenges?

It's a heart-wrenching story about a 5-year-old who has been fed through a feeding tube for the past 2 years since he seemed to be allergic to everything. The piece implies that food challenges offer a new way to control food allergies, which is a mis-leading portrayl. Hopefully people will read the article and watch the video to understand what a food challenge is, and what it isn't.

We're visiting the allergiest Friday for an egg challenge. We haven't done a food challenge in over 5 years. There are many emotions associated with a food challenge-excitement in possibly being able to introduce a new food, fear that something will go wrong, anxiety about the process...

I'm making scrambled eggs and french toast to take to the office. My son has really been looking forward to eating french toast and I've been stumped over how to make it egg-free. Anyway, on Friday, he'll at least get one tiny bite of it. My hope is that he'll be able to eat the whole thing and then come home for a towering plate of golden, crisply-fried, cinnamon-sugar french toast.

Whoops! I just drooled on my keyboard.

Read More

What is a Tree Nut?

When first confronted with a list of foods to avoid, or risk a possible reaction which could result in death, it is easy to question every food. I remember looking up "nutmeg" to find out if it is considered a nut. The answer is no.

I found this list on the Food and Drug Administration website. One surprise to me- coconut is classified as a tree nut. My earlier research indicated coconut was safe for those with a tree nut allergy. I'll need to check into that again. And, by the way, who ever heard of a "sheanut"?

******************************************
Added October, 2006] Section 201(qq) of the Act defines the term "major food allergen" to include "tree nuts."
The following are considered "tree nuts" for purposes of section 201(qq):

Almond
Beech nut
Brazil nut
Butternut
Cashew
Chestnut
Chinquapin
Coconut
Filbert/hazelnut
Ginko nut
Hickory nut
Lichee nut
Macadamia nut/Bush nut
Pecan
Pine nut/Pinon nut
Pili nut
Pistachio
Sheanut
Walnut ( English, Persian, Black, Japanese,
California), Heartnut, Butternut

********************************************************

For the full FDA report, check here.

Please note that peanuts are not on this list, because peanuts are not classified as a tree nut, but rather a legume.

For additional information, go to the Food Allergy Assistant's website.

Read More

Most Comprehensive Food Allergy Study to Date

An international study is underway to look into the cause of food allergy. It includes hundreds of families in Chicago, Boston and China. Through questionnaires and interviews, researchers are looking at diet, hygiene, number of pets as well as the food allergic patient's prenatal and postnatal medical histories. David and Denise Bunning of Chicago have two severely food allergic children. They were so frustrated over the lack of financing for food allergy research, they donated $3 million to this study.

While most of us cannot make that kind of financial commitment, let's remember during this holiday season of giving that there are many worthwhile organizations who could put our money to good use. Toys will be long forgotten, but the words "We've come up with a cure" will be a gift to all humankind.

Take a look here to read more about the Bunning's generous gift. If grandparents or others are interested in making a donation to food allergy, you can't go wrong with FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

Read More

Cure for Peanut Allergies?

Fox News just posted an article about a possible cure for peanut allergies to be available within the next five years. It sounds like Duke University is doing some work with peanut allergy and immunotherapy (desensitization injections). Working toward a cure is great news. More shots for children doesn't sound so good, but we'll take it to protect our food allergic kids. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network provides an opportunity to make donations toward research.

Go here to make a donation: http://www.foodallergy.org/Research/researchdonate.html


Check out the Fox News story here:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354230,00.html

Read More