The agreement on food allergies - How to avoid reactions

In the U.S. alone, approximately 15 million people currently living with a food allergy. Of those 15 million, 6 million are children. Allergies in children alone tripled between 1997 and 2008, and more children are being diagnosed with life-threatening allergies each year. These figures have increased dramatically in recent decades, for reasons that are poorly understood.

There are eight major foods that account for approximately 90% of all reactions to food allergy in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (eg walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts), wheat , soy, fish and shellfish. Even the smallest traces of these foods can trigger a reaction from a person with an allergy to food. If you do not understand the biological mechanism, we can help summarize that:

• All foods contain protein. The proteins are typically components that trigger an allergic reaction.

• Some proteins are resistant to digestion in the digestive tract.

• When these undigested proteins pass through the body, immunoglobulin IgE (allergy-related antibody), leads to the protein as harmful to alert the immune system of their presence.

• The immune system reaction is activated to help remove / destroy the protein, which can range from mild to severe reaction.

Currently, there is no cure for food allergies. Most people with allergies to foods that adhere to a lifelong avoidance of dietary allergens. They must also learn the signs and symptoms of reactions to a potentially dangerous situation. Early recognition and treatment of allergic reactions to food are critical steps to be taken to avoid serious health related complications.

How to avoid possible reactions:

Read labels. Read carefully through all the ingredients on the nutrition panel for any signs of a potential allergen. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act 2004, requires that all nutrition labels list specific sources of ingredients if it is derived from major food allergens 8. In addition, many products are manufactured in a joint plant. Most labels will list the information on possible cross-contamination of various foods.

Choose wisely restaurants. Many public food establishments to cook with 8 major food allergens on a daily basis. However, there are some restaurants that serve people with food allergies. Do your research to find a safe place to find food before dinner. Read comments, call managers, talking with friends, get all the information regarding the creation of the Internet. Using all the sources you can think of to ensure their safety while eating out.

Prepare your own food. If you go to school, attending a party, or holding a business meeting, bring your own food. It is comforting to have control of the ingredients in the foods you eat.

Also, do not be embarrassed to offer their own snacks, because there are millions of people with allergies to foods that do the same! Many people are very understanding of these circumstances.

In short, armed and educated about the nutritional information of foods you consume will help you maintain control of their food allergy concerns.