Researchers may have found key to peanut allergy cure
Source: Salon
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2015 03:45 PM EST
A team of Australian researchers may have made progress in finding the cure to peanut allergies. Around 15 million children in the United States are allergic to food — meaning about two allergic kids are in every classroom.
In a relatively small study, scientists from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute gave 30 allergic children small daily doses of peanut protein with a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) in increasing amounts over 18 months. They gave a control group of 30 allergic children a placebo.
“Astoundingly, researchers found over 80 percent of children who received the oral immunotherapy treatment were able to tolerate peanut [sic] at the end of the trial, compared to less than 4 percent of the placebo group,” reads a press release. “This is 20 times higher than the natural rate of resolution for peanut allergy.”
“Many of the children and families believe it has changed their lives, they’re very happy, they feel relieved,” said lead researcher Mimi Tang. “These findings provide the first vital step towards developing a cure for peanut allergy and possibly other food allergies.” The next step is a follow-up study to see if the children can still tolerate peanuts years after the conclusion of the study.
Read more: http://www.salon.com/2015/01/28/researchers_may_have_found_key_to_peanut_allergy_cure/
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omg that is hilarious! 
And why would they pick a lab in Australia rather than, say, Georgia? 
I really thought I didn't need a 
tag.
What we eat now is "dwarf wheat" which was created to create larger kernels and not tip over in the field. That classic image of waving wheat fields (amber waves of grain) is no longer.
Original, diploid wheat is on the left, dwarf on the right. It was created by hybridizing with grasses which may or may not be causing the rise in celiac and digestive issues.
I have switched over to Einkorn wheat, which is the original diploid wheat and I just love it. We don't eat grains often, but sometimes you must have flour in a recipe. It thickens a sauce like a wonder and actually has a taste. It is a little tricky to bake with and will not make high-rising, light cakes. It is not necessarily a dark wheat, it just works very differently than standard white flour. Some people have been extremely successful baking bread with it though. I would love to try it some day.
It is very golden in color and tastes so delicious. I forgot that wheat had a taste! Plus, we have abandoned the old way of making breads by sour leavenings in favor of factory breads filled with leveners and preservatives. Store shelf bread doesn't go bad that quickly, but real artisan bread does.
People who have celiac or what I call grain symptoms show little to no reaction with einkorn. So when you think of the wheat that people ate a thousand years ago, that's it. The book Wheat Belly talks about the difference in depth.
I also think you are correct that people's gut flora has been significantly changed due to antibiotic use in medicine and long-term exposure in our food supply. Chlorinated water, an unhealthy diet, and not having contact with dirt every day is also a huge factor. I remember growing up, there was not the amount of obesity and unhealthiness at all. NO ONE I knew, and especially not children! were on medication. It is very, very different and it is something we must pursue as our rate of chronic diseases are skyrocketing. It's not just the cost, it's the suffering that is so unnecessary.
I have the peanut allergy.
Looks pretty cool. I'm going to ask my doctor about this. (Seems intuitive, no? Just build up a tolerance, like any immunization would.)
Last edited Thu Jan 29, 2015, 07:06 PM - Edit history (1)
"Peanut Allergies Could Be Cured by Probiotic Bacteria Say Australian Doctors". The article clarified the use of *probiotic bacteria given to the kids in the study, equivalent to that found in 44 lbs. of yogurt! as well as the peanut flour. The positives of the added bacteria microbes are that they create a protective mucous to the intestinal lining. Thom H. like many, also thinks our gut flora has been altered from antibiotic overuse and other toxins in the environment, air, soil, water, food.
~From TH also today: Gut health and what we eat are so important. Canadian News: studies show that INFLAMMATION in the brain may be a causal factor in some cases of DEPRESSION, like diabetes and heart disease. Inflammation can relate to our western diet and heavy use of SUGAR. Instead of using so many meds, people might be able to help their depression through DIET, like some with heart disease, diabetes and other conditions~.
We intake antibiotics from meat and dairy from animals given the drugs, from our own use, and also from additives in commercial products like mouthwash, hand soap, even sports clothes that are marketed as 'anti septic and antibiotic'. In the US at least 80% of antibiotic use is for animals not humans-to ward off diseases in crowded conditions and to fatten up animals quickly for slaughter in huge 'factory farm' centers.
I just heard about this article and topic from THOM HARTMANN, progressive talker on his show today. It airs M-F, 12-3pm ET, online, radio or on FSTV (Free Speech TV Channel on Dish, Direct). He said that these probiotics are even available in some health food stores; he takes them for celiac issues and they help some. He's a highly knowledgeable genius and author on so many topics- politics, history, economics, health news.
Best of luck with reducing your allergy; must push docs a bit about new info. sometimes!
