Small Intestine May Play Large Role in Food Allergy

In March, I talked about research related to dendritic cells and food allergies in a post called, "New Discovery May Help Food Allergic".  Last week, Massachusetts General released a new study focused on dendritic cells in the intestinal lining. They discovered that these cells collect antigens from both intestinal contents and the blood stream, leading to the generation of T cells that suppress inflammation. Researchers believe that the suppression of inflammation could bring about the inappropriate immune response characteristic of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. Controlling T cell activation in the intestine may play a role in understanding food allergies.

Take a look at the complete press release, Intestinal immune cells play an unexpected role in immune surveillance of the bloodstream, for more detailed information. This study was supported by several National Institutes of Health grants.

Latest Food Allergy Research Studies Underway

There are many studies going on in the world of food allergy. If you are interested in participating in a study, or just want to learn more about what is happening in the research, check out these links:

Baked Milk Study for kids in New York
Peanut Allergy Study for peanut allergic adults at centers across the country
Curing Milk Allergy Through Oral Immunotherapy
Herbal Formula to Cure Food Allergy Study
Food Allergy Study is seeking 500 more families to help answer important questions about food allergy

I am glad to see so many food allergy studies. As we learn more, we get closer to a treatment and cure!

Food Allergy Reseach

How about this grandma who burst into action when her grandson was diagnosed with food allergies?. Lita Indzel Cohen started a foundation, FARI (Food Allergy Research Initiative), basing it in the lab at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.

The goal of FARI is to study food allergy and develop a treatment for it. They've been making progress using immune modulation to decrease the severity of allergic responses in peanut allergic mice.

 Hopefully FARI research will lead to treatment and a cure for Lita's grandson and many others who deal with food allergies.

As more pieces of the puzzle are added, hopefully appropriate food allergy treatments will emerge. Thanks for your contribution, Lita!

How Do Families Cope with Food Allergies?

National Jewish Health® has received a $450,000 grant from the National Institute of Health to study how families cope with food allergy.

Available data suggest that half of parents with food-allergic children experience a pervasive fear for their child's safety, and a sizable subgroup restrict normal child and family activities because of food allergies. Others do not appreciate the potential severity of a food-allergy reaction and are casual about their precautions and preparations.

Check out this information on the grant.

Anyone interested in participating in this trial (open to families with children between ages 6-12) can call National Jewish Health® at 303-398-1006 for more information.

Food Allergy Knowledge Found Lacking in Doctors

So, a study to be published in January 2010, has found that primary care physicians have knowledge gaps when it comes to diagnosis and management of food allergies. Many incorrectly identified symptoms of food allergy and few knew the appropriate dosage of epinephrine for children experiencing a reaction.

Okay, I know we expect a lot from our overworked primary care physicians and their staffs, but I do expect some basic knowledge. I've talked before about how our doctor's office, with full knowledge of my child's allergies, has given us medicine that contain his allergens or has recommended shots for him that would be unsafe. We've had a few really close calls in our own doctor's office. I don't believe we're alone.

Anyone have any stories they'd like to share?

One good action plan to come out of the study, which will be published in Pediatrics next month, is the creation of a food allergy module that can easily be used by doctors' offices.

YEAH!

Woo-Hoo: A $433,100 grant to Study Food Allergy Causes

I love this kind of news!

The University of Chicago and Northwestern University will share a grant of $433,100 to try to pinpoint the key immune factors that lead to food allergies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded this study through their Science to Achieve Results program (STAR).

Check out the article here and read the description and approach of the study here.

I'll keep an eye on this and report the results when they become available. I'm intrigued with the idea that researchers plan to assess whether pesticides produced in genetically engineered plants can trigger food allergies. There's got to be something causing this spike in food allergies. Could pesticides be the key?

Chemical that Leads to More Severe Allergy Reactions

I love to read about a study that finds promising information in the study of food allergy causes and treatment. Check out this new study about eotaxin, a chemical that we all have in our bodies which seems to block basic fighter cells from transforming into seeker cells, resulting in a heightened allergic response. This breakthrough may lead to the design of new allergy drugs for those who deal with food allergies. I hope this is the start of something big!

Check out my website for more information: www.foodallergyassistant.com

Most Comprehensive Food Allergy Study to Date

An international study is underway to look into the cause of food allergy. It includes hundreds of families in Chicago, Boston and China. Through questionnaires and interviews, researchers are looking at diet, hygiene, number of pets as well as the food allergic patient's prenatal and postnatal medical histories. David and Denise Bunning of Chicago have two severely food allergic children. They were so frustrated over the lack of financing for food allergy research, they donated $3 million to this study.

While most of us cannot make that kind of financial commitment, let's remember during this holiday season of giving that there are many worthwhile organizations who could put our money to good use. Toys will be long forgotten, but the words "We've come up with a cure" will be a gift to all humankind.

Take a look here to read more about the Bunning's generous gift. If grandparents or others are interested in making a donation to food allergy, you can't go wrong with FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.