Think You are Allergic?

It seems to me that I am seeing a lot more people who tell me that they are allergic or sensitive to different foods. I know that food allergies are on the rise, especially in children, but it still seems odd that so many people avoid so many different things. I ran across this study and thought I would share it with you.

Researchers in Germany found that between 10 and 20 percent of people see themselves as suffering from a food allergy. In reality, it may only be about 5-10% of people who have a real allergy. IgE is the predominant antiobody associated with an allergic response, and when the researchers tested people for IgE mediated food allergies, they found that only half the people who thought they had an allergy actually had one.

The researchers were concerned becuase so many people are avoiding foods because they think they are allergic, but indeed they are not. The market for "free from _____" foods has exploded in the US and abroad. It is causing many consumers to wonder if they are supposed to be avoiding dairy, wheat, or nuts because the label states that it is free from them.

Don't get me wrong...food allergies are a big problem for many people. The most common food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. This is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).

If you suspect that you are allergic, intolerant, or sensitive to foods, check with a specialist to get tested so you don't eliminate foods from your diet that are perfectly safe and healthy for you to include.

Permalink | Email Post