| TheMercenary |
04-11-2009 06:36 PM |
I think it generally because peanuts have found their way into many processed foods that are fed to children at an early age.
FDA Inspections Find Undisclosed Allergens In Processed Food
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WASHINGTON - A new unpublished government report reveals that numerous processed foods are contaminated with peanut or egg allergens, but their labeling does not disclose the presence of those substances.
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http://www.cspinet.org/new/allergens.html
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Peanuts are among the most common allergy-causing foods. But because a peanut allergy is less likely to be outgrown than allergies to other foods, it becomes more common among older kids and adults. It's likely that more Americans are allergic to peanuts than any other food.
Peanuts are actually not a true nut, but a legume (in the same family as peas and lentils). When someone with a peanut allergy is exposed to peanuts, the immune system mistakenly believes that proteins (or allergens) in the peanut are harmful to the body.
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Peanut reactions can be very severe, even with extremely small amounts of exposure. This might be because the immune system recognizes peanut proteins easier than other food proteins.
The allergens in peanuts are similar in structure to allergens in tree nuts. This may explain why almost half of people who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts, such as almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans, and cashews.
People who are allergic to one tree nut are often allergic to at least one or two other tree nuts. As with peanuts, tree nut reactions can be very severe, even with small exposures. Research has shown that peanuts are the #1 culprit of fatal food allergy reactions, followed by tree nuts.
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http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutriti...t_allergy.html
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Why the increase in peanut allergies?
Studies show that there has been a sharp increase in peanut allergies over the last 5-10 years, particularly in children, not only in the US but in Australia and the UK. A common question is why? Although no definitive answer is available, there are several theories:
that we introduce peanuts to children too early;
the increased use of soy in formula and other processed food (soy and peanut are both beans);
and the use of roasted peanuts in food (heating changes the protein which the body is more likely to react to), rather than raw/boiled peanuts.
The hygiene hypothesis which believes that our immune systems have little to fight anymore because we live in a cleaner, healthier, antibacterial world and therefore, the immune system reacts to certain food proteins and mistakes them for a threat.
A lowered immune function due to increased antibiotic use, vaccinations, high processed food and pesticide use are also factors to be considered.
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http://www.beyondapeanut.com/Peanut_...formation.html
In the end I think the jury is still out on the why from a professional standpoint.
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Peanut allergies seem to be on the rise in children. In the United States, the number of children with peanut allergy doubled between 1997 and 2002. Subsequent studies in the United Kingdom and Canada also showed a high prevalence of peanut allergy in schoolchildren. Unlike egg and cow’s milk allergies, which most children outgrow, peanut allergies tend to be life-long. Recent studies, however, indicate that approximately 20% of peanut-allergic children do eventually outgrow their allergy.
The peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is not really a nut, but a kind of legume. It is related to other beans, such as peas, lentils, and soybeans. People with peanut allergy are not necessarily allergic to other legumes (even soy, another of the “big eight” food allergens), so be sure to speak with your doctor before assuming that you have to avoid these protein-rich foods. A person with a peanut allergy may also be allergic to tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, etc.). In fact, some 30-40% of people who have peanut allergy also are allergic to tree nuts. Not surprisingly, allergists usually tell their peanut-allergic patients to avoid tree nuts.
Researchers have isolated three major peanut allergens. They are trying to learn why peanuts cause such severe reactions and why the number of people who suffer from peanut allergy is increasing. Investigators also are trying to develop therapies that would prevent anaphylaxis in people with peanut allergies.
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http://www.faiusa.org/?page=peanuts
Unusal case report of an infant with a peanut allergy:
http://www.breatherville.org/2009/02...llergy-puzzle/
from the above link:
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Hide and Seek
In light of the test results and the family’s experiences, James’ physician agreed that he had a serious peanut allergy and recommended the whole family steer clear of peanuts and keep auto-injectable epinephrine on hand at all times. Peanut butter was out and reading food labels was in!
Although new food labeling laws make finding peanuts in food much easier, some not-so-obvious places peanuts may be hiding include
Arachis oil - another name for peanut oil
Artificial tree nuts - sometimes peanuts are flavored to taste like other nuts
Chocolate candies - some chocolates are produced on equipment used for processing peanuts or foods that contain peanuts
Nut butters - some alternatives to peanut butter are processed on the same equipment used to make peanut butter
Sunflower seeds - many brands are processed on equipment used to process peanuts
Grain breads, salad dressings, energy bars and marzipan also can contain peanuts. Peanut butter may be used to thicken sauces - even spaghetti sauce. With so many uses for peanuts, it’s easy for children with peanut allergy to accidentally eat peanuts: A 2006 study of schoolchildren in Quebec, Canada, found an annual incidence rate of more than 14 percent!
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Another possible source of exposure:
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Peanut proteins do cross into breastmilk, although research has not shown a clear link between breastmilk exposure and peanut allergy in children. There is also evidence of cross-sensitivity to soy-based formulas. Other routes of exposure can include use of skin creams containing peanut oils.
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http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/...-the-big-deal/
So as we can see the possibility of early exposure to the antigen can occur through a number of potential sources. But again, I don't think anyone can be sure. One thing is clear is that the statistics of incidence of the allergy have grown exponentially. |
