Can Gut Bacteria Heal Food Allergies?
How manipulating the microbiome could reverse and prevent peanut allergies and more
The number of people with food allergies has risen sharply in the last few decades, especially in Western nations. Around 8% of American children now have a food allergy, which means they likely avoid peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, etc.), cow’s milk, wheat, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, celery, or mustard (around 90% of the world’s affected people are allergic to one or more of these).
Nearly 19% of American adults believe they have a food allergy, but just under 11% actually do, according to another study published earlier this year. Experts say they may simply be confusing intolerances for allergies.
Even more concerning is another study which found that roughly 40% of the children who are allergic actually suffer from multiple food allergies, and 40% of those who have an allergy have one that is severe. For people with severe food allergies, coming into contact with even small traces of an allergen can trigger anaphylaxis, a reaction that can be life-threatening in the most serious cases.
A 2017 study found that the number of American children between the ages of five and 17 who visit emergency rooms because of anaphylaxis increased by almost…
