Strict avoidance – the best way to treat and prevent food allergies?

Identification of biomarkers is needed for patients who react to food

In a recent study, scientists identified a prestigious American university asking if strict allergen avoidance is the most appropriate strategy for dealing with food allergies. Traditionally, avoiding the foods which one cannot tolerate has been a standard treatment for allergies to food. This advice is based on the assumption that contact can lead to an allergic reaction and avoidance accelerates the recovery. Recent studies make this assumption.

Heat largely kills allergens

Recent studies show that most children with a milk allergy tolerate eggs and similar foods when they were hot. In addition, clinical studies show that eating tiny amounts of food could result in desensitization. It must be noted at this point that this procedure can be naturally carried out in the presence of a physician or an at an allergy clinic when a child suffers from severe allergic reactions.

Late introduction of allergens offers no advantage

Recently published epidemiological studies do not support the previous assumption that a delayed introduction of highly allergenic foods for infants and young children prevents food allergies. In fact, the recent data suggest that delaying the introduction of certain foods may even increase the risk of developing an allergy.

Biomarkers could provide a better understanding

The latest data suggest that strict allergen avoidance as a treatment is not always necessary. Exposure to a particular food can even be a therapeutic measure. An extended delay in the introduction of food allergens in the diet of young children may increase the risk of allergies as shared by scientists in their report. In many cases, the strict avoidance of a treatment is clearly necessary, however, so the scientists at the Mount Sinai Hospital continue to state, that further studies are needed to assess risks and benefits of exposure to allergens in more detail. They agree that the identification of biomarkers is needed for patients who react to food.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Literature:

Kim JS, Safe S., Should there be strict avoidance of foods in prevention and treatment of food allergy?, Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA, Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. February 16th, 2010.

Gluten-free diet reduces bone problems in children with celiac disease

Celiac disease is a congenital intestinal disorder that is characterized by a lifelong intolerance to the ingestion of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac illness can occur at any age, but most of the intolerance occurs during early childhood (between the 9th and 24th month of life). Frequently, people who suffer from celiac problems have a decrease in bone density. A current article published in the medical journal, Nutrition Reviews, has reviewed the existing literature on the subject and revealed that a gluten-free diet can strongly influence recovery in children.

Celiac disease can reduce bone density

Metabolic bone disease is among the most significant and frequent complication of celiac disease. Decreased bone mineral density in children can lead to the fact that they are not in a position to develop optimal bone mass and bone loss in adulthood. Both increase the risk of developing, osteoporosis. People with celiac disease, also run an additional risk of bone fractures.

Gluten-free diet can lead to recovery

However, there is evidence that a gluten-free diet can promote an increase of bone density quickly. This can lead to complete recovery of bone mineralization in children. A gluten-free diet improves bone mineral density in adults, but normalization is rare. Children can get normal bone mass if the diagnosis and treatment were carried out before puberty. This also prevents the development of osteoporosis in later life.

Moreover, nutrients which contain calcium and vitamin D seem to improve bone mineral density in children and adults who suffer from celiac disease.

Conclusion

“Our findings reinforce the importance of a strict gluten-free diet, which currently appears to be the only scientifically proven treatment for celiac disease,” said the study authors. “Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to complications from celiac disease, such as preventing reduced bone density.”

Literature: Wiley-Blackwell, gluten-free diet Reduces bone problems in children with celiac disease, October 8, 2009