Food Allergies Doubled in a Decade, Study Finds

Study Shows Food Allergies Have Doubled in the Past Decade

August 29, 2024 TruthUSA

A recent study has shown a significant increase in the number of young children diagnosed with food allergies, without addressing the underlying cause.

The research conducted by Imperial College, London, highlighted a startling rise in food allergies over a ten-year period. The prevalence of food allergies more than doubled from 0.4 percent in 2008 to 1.2 percent in 2018.

The study revealed that preschool-aged children saw the most substantial increase, with 4 percent of under-5s having some form of food allergy by 2018, up from 1.2 percent in 2008.

Data indicated that 2.4 percent of children aged 5 to 9 had food allergies, while the prevalence was 1.7 percent in 15- to 19-year-olds and 0.7 percent in adults over 19.

This study, based on data from 13 million patients in England, is the largest investigation of its kind worldwide, with results published in the Lancet Public Health journal.

Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts excessively to certain foods like cow’s milk, peanuts, eggs, or shellfish.

In severe cases, food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, causing airway swelling, breathing difficulties, and cardiac arrest, requiring urgent treatment with an EpiPen containing adrenaline.

Although some age groups showed a leveling off in new food allergy cases, the reasons for this trend are unclear. Researchers suggest that introducing small amounts of allergens like peanuts early in a child’s diet may reduce the risk of allergies.

3rd of Sufferers Don’t Carry EpiPen

Professor Paul Turner, the study’s author focusing on pediatric allergy, emphasized the importance of the study’s insights into food allergies in the UK.

While the prevalence of food allergies has risen, the annual occurrence of new cases seems to have stabilized. However, over a third of at-risk individuals do not carry life-saving adrenaline autoinjectors like EpiPens, especially in deprived areas.

There is an urgent need to better support GP clinics managing patients at risk of severe food reactions, as the study found that 90 percent of individuals with allergies were not receiving specialist care in hospitals.

The study did not investigate the reasons for the sharp increase in food allergies. Some experts have hypothesized a potential link between childhood vaccinations and the prevalence of allergies. An article in Children’s Health Defense suggests a correlation between vaccine components and allergic reactions.

Studies Suggest Link Between Vaccination and Allergy

Researchers highlight the use of various proteins in vaccine preparation, noting proteins like egg and gelatin may trigger allergic responses. Japan removed gelatin from vaccines due to its association with allergic reactions, though it is still used in some US vaccines.

Certain vaccines in the UK contain porcine gelatin, which could be problematic for individuals with pork allergies. Despite calls for an “allergy tsar” to address the issue, the government has not taken specific action in this regard.

While the relationship between vaccines and food allergies remains debated, ongoing research is exploring DNA vaccines as a potential solution for curing food allergies.

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