Peanut Allergy: A Unique Epidemic
01/29/2010
Peanut Allergy: A Unique Epidemic
By David Mark
Our generation is a privileged one for many reasons. We are
living through seemingly profound and seismic changes, both
environmental and socioeconomic. Yet, no where have we seen in
recent human history such a unique and fast moving epidemic like
the current break out of the peanut allergy. What is meant by
this is not to belittle past epidemics, rather it is to point
out how strange it is that this epidemic is centered around such
a common food that had been relatively harmless for so long. The
facts cannot be ignored: 1.5 million Americans suffer from a
peanut allergy making it the most prevalent food allergy and out
of those 100 people die every year. The question is not if there
is an epidemic, rather what is the cause of it?
Peanut Allergy Causes
The first thing to know about any food allergy and especially
an allergy to peanuts is that researchers do not know their
cause. That being the case there have been some interesting
theories put forth on why the incidents of allergic reactions to
peanuts have increased exponentially. Some scientists believe
that environmental factors are to blame and others see a
connection between over exposure during pregnancy to peanuts.
Possibly the most intriguing idea is that with globalization,
increased possibilities of food interactions and combinations
that were once impossible have begun to occur with unpredictable
results.
What Foods to Stay Clear Of
Unfortunately for those with a peanut allergy, far too many
products exist that have been infused with peanuts or things
peanut derivatives. This is why those that suffer from a peanut
allergy must be vigilant. On top of this many people can trigger
their allergy merely by touching peanut products. This includes
oils and creams that have just a hint of peanuts in them. Common
foods to stay clear of include: peanut butter & peanut flour,
ground or mixed nuts, cereals, granola, sunflower seeds, grain
breads, energy bars, and salad dressing. This is not to say that
all these foods are certain to contain peanut products, rather
they merely have a higher percentage of peanut inclusion in
their ingredients.
Peanut Allergy Prevention
Although it sounds strange to talk about preventing peanut
allergies when it has already admitted above that their cause
cannot actually be substantiated. Despite this being the case,
there are some known ways to reduce development of this allergy
in those that have an increased susceptibility. Of course to
understand how his can work one has to have adopted the theory
that over exposure to peanut products in the womb and through
the mother's breast milk can increase the chances of developing
an allergy to peanuts. Research indicates that those women who
avoid ingesting peanut products during pregnancy and nursing
severely reduce their babies chances to develop an allergy to
peanuts.
No matter the reason for developing an allergy to peanuts, the
truth remains clear and dangerous, yet preventable. Of course
preventing an allergic reaction to peanuts does not mean that
one will once again be able to eat peanuts and the products that
include them, rather prevention just refers to making sure there
are no allergic reaction at all. This takes vigilance and
caution in making sure that consumption and use of peanut based
products is ended. Only then can one be sure that allergic
reactions are rare if not blotted out completely.
About the Author: David Mark writes for multiple websites
hoping to share information that is helpful to humanity. For
information on peanut allergy causes check out
http://peanutallergy.com/causes.html
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=250370&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
By David Mark
Our generation is a privileged one for many reasons. We are
living through seemingly profound and seismic changes, both
environmental and socioeconomic. Yet, no where have we seen in
recent human history such a unique and fast moving epidemic like
the current break out of the peanut allergy. What is meant by
this is not to belittle past epidemics, rather it is to point
out how strange it is that this epidemic is centered around such
a common food that had been relatively harmless for so long. The
facts cannot be ignored: 1.5 million Americans suffer from a
peanut allergy making it the most prevalent food allergy and out
of those 100 people die every year. The question is not if there
is an epidemic, rather what is the cause of it?
Peanut Allergy Causes
The first thing to know about any food allergy and especially
an allergy to peanuts is that researchers do not know their
cause. That being the case there have been some interesting
theories put forth on why the incidents of allergic reactions to
peanuts have increased exponentially. Some scientists believe
that environmental factors are to blame and others see a
connection between over exposure during pregnancy to peanuts.
Possibly the most intriguing idea is that with globalization,
increased possibilities of food interactions and combinations
that were once impossible have begun to occur with unpredictable
results.
What Foods to Stay Clear Of
Unfortunately for those with a peanut allergy, far too many
products exist that have been infused with peanuts or things
peanut derivatives. This is why those that suffer from a peanut
allergy must be vigilant. On top of this many people can trigger
their allergy merely by touching peanut products. This includes
oils and creams that have just a hint of peanuts in them. Common
foods to stay clear of include: peanut butter & peanut flour,
ground or mixed nuts, cereals, granola, sunflower seeds, grain
breads, energy bars, and salad dressing. This is not to say that
all these foods are certain to contain peanut products, rather
they merely have a higher percentage of peanut inclusion in
their ingredients.
Peanut Allergy Prevention
Although it sounds strange to talk about preventing peanut
allergies when it has already admitted above that their cause
cannot actually be substantiated. Despite this being the case,
there are some known ways to reduce development of this allergy
in those that have an increased susceptibility. Of course to
understand how his can work one has to have adopted the theory
that over exposure to peanut products in the womb and through
the mother's breast milk can increase the chances of developing
an allergy to peanuts. Research indicates that those women who
avoid ingesting peanut products during pregnancy and nursing
severely reduce their babies chances to develop an allergy to
peanuts.
No matter the reason for developing an allergy to peanuts, the
truth remains clear and dangerous, yet preventable. Of course
preventing an allergic reaction to peanuts does not mean that
one will once again be able to eat peanuts and the products that
include them, rather prevention just refers to making sure there
are no allergic reaction at all. This takes vigilance and
caution in making sure that consumption and use of peanut based
products is ended. Only then can one be sure that allergic
reactions are rare if not blotted out completely.
About the Author: David Mark writes for multiple websites
hoping to share information that is helpful to humanity. For
information on peanut allergy causes check out
http://peanutallergy.com/causes.html
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=250370&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet
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