Diet is an important part of our lives, so food allergies are a threat that many people face at every meal. Food Allergies Diet is such an important part of our lives that food allergies are a threat to many people at every meal. Researchers at the University of Manchester’s School of Inflammation and Restoration took a closer look at the thresholds for five of the most common food allergens, and the results of the study were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
of Allergy and Clinical Immunology). Finding thresholds for the most sensitive people “We wanted to find levels of allergens that would only cause allergic reactions in 10 percent of people,” said Clare Mills, the study’s lead researcher. Mills
Mills) said, “These data can be used to provide standard consistent warning levels for foods: what we would like to see is some warnings for all allergic people to avoid a certain food, and others only for those with the most severe allergies.” The study was conducted on 436 Europeans with common food allergies to at least one of peanuts, hazelnuts, celery, fish, or shrimp. Researchers gave them small doses of the foods they were allergic to and closely monitored their reactions. The most sensitive food allergic people could only tolerate 1.6-10.1 milligrams of peanuts, hazelnuts and celery, those allergic to fish had a higher tolerance of 27.3 milligrams, and those allergic to shrimp could tolerate a maximum dosage of 2.5 grams. The skin prick allergen test, is currently an in vivo allergen detection method promoted internationally, especially in Europe and the United States. When a certain allergen enters the skin, patients who have a rapid allergic reaction to certain substances immediately and specifically cause skin erythema, indicating allergy to the antigen. Allergies that cannot be cured According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, an abnormal overreaction of a person’s immune system to a foreign substance is called an allergic reaction, and the allergen is usually a harmless substance. When an allergen is ingested, inhaled through the lungs, injected, or simply touched, the immune system recognizes it as a risk factor, and in an attempt to protect the body, the immune system produces antibodies that cause histamine to be released into the bloodstream. Histamine can cause allergic reactions such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose and a raspy throat. In severe cases, histamine can also cause rashes, hives, breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and even death. There is no cure for allergies, only prevention and symptomatic treatment. If someone is diagnosed with a food allergy, every bite of every meal he eats for the rest of his life may require special care. It is estimated that 50 million people in the United States suffer from different types of allergies. So, why is there no cure for allergies? In the past, scientists have tried to desensitize patients in the hopes of building their immune systems to accept allergens that may not actually be that threatening, however, the gradual introduction of allergens to people who have severe reactions can be dangerous. Therefore, researchers hope this study is the first step in discovering the immune system thresholds for the 10% of the population that is most sensitive to allergens. Gradual increase in food allergy population Food allergies have been discovered for more than 100 years, and the number of people who have severe allergic reactions to foods and certain ingredients has been steadily increasing. In recent decades, the number of cases has risen the most in infants, by 5-7%, and in adults, by 1-2%. The study was conducted as part of the “Integrated Approach to Food Allergen and Food Allergy Management” project, which aims to better educate health workers and the public about the dangers of allergies. ”This study is also part of the background to the launch of new early warning guidelines in Europe, which, along with the work being done in Manchester and elsewhere, is an evidence base to strengthen consumer and industry trust.” Mills said.