The number of children who suffer from severe peanut allergies continues to rise every day. Incredibly, in the past 20 years, peanut allergies have increased over 350%! Most of those diagnosed with this allergy have it for life and are burdened with the danger of a having an anaphylactic reaction with even the smallest of exposures.
That’s why it is so exciting to see the progress that current research is making in helping kids overcome peanut allergies.
A research team at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia have recently uncovered a treatment for peanut allergies that could potentially have long lasting results.
In a study of over 60 children with peanut allergies, the researchers gave the kids regular doses of either:
- A probiotic with minute amounts of peanut protein, or
- A placebo.
The probiotic and the peanut protein were taken daily, with the peanut protein first being introduced in a very minute dose. The amount of peanut protein was increased every 2 weeks until the kids were able to eat 2 grams of peanut protein. Two to five weeks after the treatment ended, the researchers then measured the children’s ability to tolerate peanuts.
They discovered that over 80% of the kids who received the treatment could tolerate peanuts in comparison to less than 4% of those who only had the placebo. Amazingly, 23 of 28 children who received the therapy were actually able to add peanuts to their diet!
These findings are so exciting, especially for the thousands and thousands of kids and their families whose lives are touched by life-threatening allergies.
***It is important to stress that this treatment was done under very close supervision by health professionals and should not be carried out on your own.
To get a better idea about why food allergies have become so rampant, this 2011 Ted Talks presentation by Robyn O’Brien, food evangelist is a real eye opener. In it, she shares how the genetic modification of our food is a huge contributor to our current allergy epidemic.
The introduction of novel proteins into our foods is definitely a big cause, but it’s not the only one.
Our overuse of antibiotics, the pesticides in our foods, our reliance on a diet laden with sugars and processed carbohydrates, the health challenges that we inherit from our parents, the bacteria we picked up (or don’t) in the birth canal when we were born, environmental pollutants – all have an incredible impact on our health and make us more prone to allergies.
That’s why it is so vital to adopt all aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Only then will your body have what it needs to stave off allergies.
A healthy lifestyle should include:
- A diet that consists of whole, natural and organic foods and is free from added sugars and processed carbohydrates.
- Regular exercise and sufficient sleep
- Avoiding environmental pollutants such as radiation, pesticides, unfiltered water, mold, etc.
- A daily intake of good bacteria (through probiotics and fermented vegetables).
Sources:
Ted Talks Video- Robyn O’Brien
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
