Immortalized on TV and in movies, the peanut allergy has been the premise for many a comedy scene. However, peanut allergies are no joking matter.
In fact, in the U.S., approximately 1 percent to 2 percent (or more) of the population has a peanut allergy — about 3 million people — a percentage that continues to rise. For instance, in the past two decades, the prevalence of peanut allergies has more than quadrupled, up from 0.4 percent of the U.S. population in 1997 to 1.4 percent in 2008 to more than 2 percent in 2010. (1)
It’s most prevalent among children under 3 years old, and the risk of developing a peanut allergy increases to 7 percent for a sibling of a child with a peanut allergy. (2) It’s why peanuts are among the “big eight” food allergies, along with eggs, fish, milk, tree nuts, shellfish, soya and wheat. (3)
Even more disturbing, there is no clear, definitive reason why this common food allergy is on the rise. But there is good news. Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine notes there is evidence that peanut allergies can be reduced.
How? According to the study, in which 640 infants (at least 4 months old but less than 11 months old) with severe eczema, egg allergy or both were randomly selected to consume or avoid peanuts until 60 months of age. What researchers found was “the early introduction of peanuts significantly decreased the frequency of the development of peanut allergy among children at high risk for this allergy and modulated immune responses to peanuts.” (4)
That’s right — you may be able to reduce your child’s peanut allergy simply by introducing peanuts to them at a very young age, However, such a step needs to be done with extreme caution, usually within the supervision of a doctor.
Peanut Allergy Relief
This is obviously huge news for one of the most common food allergies on the planet. Of course, this research does little for people who already have a peanut allergy, particularly adults. However, there are natural allergy relief remedies you can utilize to improve the symptoms of your peanut allergy.
For instance, quercetin has been shown to block allergies to certain foods, including peanuts. (5) A study by the Department of Nutrition at JondiShapour University of Medical Sciences in Iran looked at the effects of quercetin on rats with peanut sensitivities. Over four weeks, the rats were treated with 50 milligrams of quercetin daily. The researchers found that “quercetin completely abrogated peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions,” concluding that quercetin could suppress peanut allergy symptoms and work as an alternative treatment for similar food allergies. (6)
Of course, the biggest way to prevent a peanut allergy from flaring up is to avoid peanuts altogether. That may be painful for those who love this common snack and especially for those who love peanut butter — but this could be a blessing in disguise.
Why? Because peanuts — especially peanut butter — can be one of the metabolism death foods that are best to avoid anyway. That’s because peanut butter nutrition often has more negatives than positive. For starters, it’s often too high in omega-6 fatty acids, which contributes to the common imbalance between omega-3 vs. omega-6. (7)
In addition, peanuts often contain mold and grow a fungus called aflatoxin that can affect the health of your gut. Peanuts have been linked to food sensitivities, leaky gut syndrome and a slow metabolism. That’s because aflatoxin can actually compete with probiotics in your gut and thus damage digestive health.
Peanut & Peanut Butter Alternatives
Of course, not all peanuts are bad, particularly if you don’t have a peanut allergy. However, if you are going to consume peanut butter, make sure it’s certified organic peanut butter. This ensures there are no additives or unhealthy, damaging hydrogenated oils.
Also, to avoid the potentially harmful fungi peanuts typically grow, eat Valencia peanuts or Jungle peanuts. These peanuts are typically not grown in the moisture of the ground; they’re usually grown in bushes off the ground or higher up, and that eliminates the issue with mold.
Of course, there are alternatives you can substitute for peanuts or peanut butter. For instance, almonds typically don’t cause as many complications, and almonds nutrition helps prevent heart disease, support healthy brain function, maintain skin health, control blood sugar levels, weight loss, increase nutrient absorption, improve digestion, fight inflammation, and maintain dental and bone health. You can simply swap in almond butter to replace peanut butter in almost any recipe.
The same is true of sunflower seed butter. It makes a tremendous substitute for peanut butter and is full of healthy fats, protein and is highly unprocessed, unlike most non-organic peanut butters out there.
Peanut Allergy Takeaways
- Approximately 1 percent to 2 percent (or more) of the U.S. population has a peanut allergy — about 3 million people — a percentage that continues to rise.
- In the past two decades, the prevalence of peanut allergies has more than quadrupled, up from 0.4 percent of the U.S. population in 1997 to 1.4 percent in 2008 to more than 2 percent in 2010.
- It’s most prevalent among children under 3 years old, and the risk of developing a peanut allergy increases to 7 percent for a sibling of a child with a peanut allergy.
- Peanuts are among the “big eight” food allergies, along with eggs, fish, milk, tree nuts, shellfish, soya and wheat.
- Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine notes there is evidence that peanut allergies can be reduced by introducing infants to peanuts early on.
- Peanuts and peanut butter can be harmful if they aren’t organic.
- Almonds, almond butter and sunflower seed butter make good peanut alternatives.
What about aflatoxins in peanuts ?
It’s a type of mold, and very toxic and probably they are the cause of allergies.
Better not to eat peanuts or peanut butter every day. Not more than once or twice a week I guess.