Recent research has been encouraging for those who deal with peanut allergies on a daily basis. These studies have been made possible only within the past few months when scientists were able to create peanut allergic mice for testing purposes. In Jan. 2009, researchers out of Northwestern University were able to meet a critical need identified in 2006 by the NIH Expert Panel on Food Allergy Research. They successfully developed a mouse model that mimics a human allergic reaction to peanuts.
Animals are not normally allergic to food. Scientists must add a strong immune stimulant to foods to get a reaction in animals that resembles a food allergy reaction in people.
The Northwestern team mixed peanut extract and a bacteria commonly found on the skin of people with eczema and in the nasal cavities of people with sinusitis.
This mixture brought about symptoms such as swelling around the eyes and mouth, breathing problems and increased blood levels of histamine in the mice. These are the same symptoms seen in people experiencing a peanut reaction.
This development has opened a new chapter in food allergy esearch. Expect more studies involving mice and peanut allergy as the march to a cure continues.
Information gathered from:
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (2009, January 14). Of Mice And Peanuts: A New Mouse Model For Peanut Allergy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 27, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/01/090112201218.htm
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Food Allergy Assistant
"Animals are not normally
"Animals are not normally allergic to food."
So if people are animals, then.... people are not normally allergic to food.
Food allergies are nearly non-existant in underdeveloped countries. So something is causing the food allergies in the developed countries.
Isn't it interesting about how difficult it is to produce a food allergy in mice?
Barb makes a good point. We
Barb makes a good point. We are getting a new Wheaten Terrier pup and they are ironically prone to wheat allergies. They are also allergic to other foods.
There are multiple theories and studies on what is causing food allergies. I personally don't think it's any one thing Barb but a combination of many things over a period of time.
Environment, what we eat, chemicals, hygiene, genetic predisposition, etc.
Food Allergy Assistant-I think it's great that you are putting studies out there and helping to keep people aware of what is being done. Kudos to you!
Ruth
Ruth LovettSmith
Founder of http://www.bestallergysites.com/
Your Food Allergy and Gluten Free Guide, and the largest Internet directory of allergy related companies, sites, and blogs.
Disclaimer: I'm a food allergy advocate and mom of a food allergic child. I am NOT an allergist. My comments are based on my research and experiences. Please speak to your doctor regarding medical concerns.