Microdosing Peanut Butter Could Alleviate Some Peanut Allergies
17:15 minutes
Over the past two decades, rates of peanut allergies in children have more than tripled. A variety of theories has been proposed to explain this, from a rise in industrialization keeping kids away from the germs that develop the immune system, to the previous pediatric guidelines that urged parents to restrict access to peanuts early in life. Whatever the cause, higher rates of peanut allergies means effective treatments are in higher demand.
New research published in NEJM Evidence shows that a simple treatment could be effective for kids who can tolerate half a peanut or more before an overwhelming reaction: eating a small amount of store-bought peanut butter, gradually increasing the amount over 18 months. In the study, 100% of participating kids increased their tolerance to three tablespoons of peanut butter without an allergic reaction.
Joining Host Flora Lichtman to discuss this study and other food allergy treatments on the horizon is Dr. Scott Sicherer, Director of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Further Reading
- Read more about why food allergies are on the rise globally via BBC.
- See Yale Medicine’s guide to preventing food allergies in kids.
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Segment Guests
Scott Sicherer
Dr. Scott Sicherer is the Director of the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai in New York, New York.
Segment Transcript
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