#277 ‒ Food allergies: causes, prevention, and treatment with immunotherapy | Kari Nadeau, M.D., Ph.D. | The Peter Attia Drive

Intro

In this episode of “The Peter Attia Drive” podcast, Peter Attia interviews Dr. Kari Nadeau, an expert in food allergies and immunotherapy. They discuss the causes, prevention, and treatment of food allergies, as well as the impact of environmental factors on allergies and overall health.

Main Takeaways

Understanding Food Allergies

• The immune system is responsible for fighting bacteria and viruses, but can also cause food allergies.
• Food allergies can range from mildly inconvenient to life-threatening.
• Immunotherapy can effectively treat people with lethal anaphylactic reactions to allergens.
• Early exposure and immunotherapy can reduce the risk of developing food allergies.

The Role of IgE and the Immune System

• IgE is a prehistoric molecule that still exists in our blood and is the match that lights the fire behind allergies.
• The immune system fights viruses, bacteria, and fungi by using immune cells like macrophages and T cells.
• Immunoglobulins are proteins in our blood that protect us against infections and allergies.
• IgG is the main class of immunoglobulin that floats in our plasma and is very protective.

Food Sensitivity and Allergies

• Food sensitivity means reacting to a chemical in food, such as lactose intolerance.
• Food allergy is different from food sensitivity and can cause fatal reactions.
• Food sensitivity can cause symptoms such as bloating, headaches, and rashes.
• Low-grade elevation of C-reactive protein can be attributed to food sensitivity, particularly wheat and dairy products.

Prevention and Treatment

• Guidelines for preventing food allergies have changed in the last 20 years.
• Diversifying the diet with small amounts of foods like tree nuts, fish, milk, egg, and peanut can help prevent allergies.
• Immunotherapy involves retraining the immune system to tolerate allergens.
• Immunotherapy for food allergies involves giving small amounts of the allergen back to the patient, starting with a small dose and increasing it every two weeks.

Environmental Factors and Air Pollution

• Air pollution, specifically PM 2.5s, can also impact health.
• Carrie’s work at Harvard focuses on the intersection of food allergies and environmental factors, such as air pollution.
• Understanding the effects of air pollution on the immune system and allergies is an important area of research.
• Exercising during high air quality index affects the immune system for a whole day.

Summary

Understanding Food Allergies

Food allergies can range from mildly inconvenient to life-threatening. The immune system, responsible for fighting bacteria and viruses, can also cause food allergies. Immunotherapy offers an effective treatment for people with severe allergic reactions to allergens. Early exposure and immunotherapy can reduce the risk of developing food allergies.

The Role of IgE and the Immune System

IgE, a prehistoric molecule in our blood, is the match that lights the fire behind allergies. The immune system fights viruses, bacteria, and fungi using immune cells like macrophages and T cells. Immunoglobulins, including IgG, protect us against infections and allergies.

Food Sensitivity and Allergies

Food sensitivity refers to reacting to a chemical in food, while food allergies can cause fatal reactions. Symptoms of food sensitivity include bloating, headaches, and rashes. Low-grade elevation of C-reactive protein can be attributed to food sensitivity, particularly wheat and dairy products.

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing food allergies involves diversifying the diet with small amounts of potential allergens. Immunotherapy is a method of retraining the immune system to tolerate allergens by gradually reintroducing small doses of the allergen to the patient. This therapy has shown promising results in resolving allergies for the long term.

Environmental Factors and Air Pollution

Air pollution, specifically PM 2.5s, can impact health and contribute to the development of allergies. Understanding the effects of air pollution on the immune system and allergies is an important area of research. It is crucial to monitor air quality and take precautions to minimize exposure to pollutants.

Conclusion

Food allergies can have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life, ranging from inconvenience to life-threatening reactions. Understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of food allergies is crucial in improving overall health. Immunotherapy offers hope for those with severe allergies, while environmental factors like air pollution play a role in allergies and overall health. By taking proactive measures and seeking professional guidance, individuals can better manage and prevent food allergies.