Low Allergy Milk

Milk Safe for Milk Allergic?

I'll admit that I'm a little wigged out about genetically modified foods. For right now, my opinion is that I want it clearly marked so consumers can make their own choices. That said, I'm intrigued by the news of a genetically modified cow that can produce milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic.

Researchers were able to interfere with the RNA of a cow, that went on to birth a calf that doesn't produce milk with any detectable beta-lactoglobulin. (Said calf was also born without a tail, but researchers believe that is unrelated to the genetic modifications...still wigged out). Researchers will now watch to see if the genetic modification will be passed on through future cow generations.

Of course more research is needed and low allergy milk will probably not be found in grocery dairy cases in the near future. Read the abstract in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (full text copies may be purchased) and check out the article in the BBC that originally caught my attention. The ability to remove the protein that is causing allergic reactions is appealing to me as long as it is done safely and ethically. We shall see where this leads...

Food Allergy Research Boost With Multi-Million Dollar Grant

Milk Allergy

Perhaps you've read the news that David H. Koch, Executive Vice President of Koch Industries, has donated 10 million dollars to the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. This donation, one of the largest in the Institute's history, will create the David H. and Julia Koch Research Program in Food Allergy Therapeutics.

This is great news for the food allergy community. Mt. Sinai has already brought to light the possibility of introducing baked milk and egg to people with milk and egg allergies. They have also lead the way in researching the link between bullying and food allergies, and the lack of a link between waiting to introduce foods to infants and the development of food allergy.

Part of this donation may go toward some of the clinical trials currently underway at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, such as using Xolair to help develop milk tolerance and the effect of Chinese Herbal medicine on food allergies. All great research paving the way toward figuring out what causes food allergy and how to prevent it.

Food Allergy Numbers May be Higher Than Previously Estimated

A recent study published in Pediatrics, puts the number of children with food allergy at six million- double the number the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has been reporting.

With a sample size of over 38,000, eight percent indicated a food allergy. Of those, over 38% reported a history of severe reactions and 30% report multiple food allergies. Peanut, milk and shellfish were the most common allergens reported for this group under the age of 18.

Heredity and environment continue to be viewed as the main causes of food allergy, but researchers still don't understand the connection.

In the meantime, those of us who have children with food allergies must continue to be vigilant. See an allergist who understands food allergy and  keep kids safe by making sure they don't eat the foods they are allergic too.

Check out some of my recipes to find some delicious and safe allergy friendly foods.

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!