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Peanuts, a cure for peanut allergies--study
by Jaspreet Virk - February 22, 2010 - comments
Based on the findings of the study conducted on group of 23 children, the researchers will now be conducting a biggest trial for peanut allergies.
In what can be termed as the beginning of the end of peanut allergies, researchers have found that eating small amount of peanuts may help cure the fatal allergic reactions.
As per the study conducted by Cambridge University researchers, consuming small amounts of peanuts on a daily basis for several months helps build tolerance to peanuts, thus curing allergy reactions.
Details of the study
In order to conduct the study, a team of researchers led by Dr Andrew Clark of Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge, gave a group of 23 peanuts allergic children small doses of peanuts every day.
Over a period of time, the researchers increased the amount of doses, until they could consume peanuts, without any severe reactions.
After six weeks, the researchers noted that 20 out of 23 children could consume 5 peanuts safely. After six months, 19 children could eat around 30 peanuts daily without reporting allergies.
Strengthening preliminary research
Based on the findings of the study conducted on a group of 23 children, the researchers will now be conducting the biggest trial for peanut allergies.
Under this, 104 British children, allergic to peanuts, will be given small doses of peanuts every day.
In the beginning, children in the age group 7 to 17, will be tiny doses of peanut flour mixed with yogurt. Over a period of time, the doses will increase to build their resistance to allergies.
The researchers believe that the largest ever clinical trial could lead to a treatment for the potentially life threatening peanut allergies.
"This is going to be the largest trial of its kind in the world and it should give us a definitive idea of whether the approach works and whether it's safe,” stated Clark.
But the researchers have warned against conducting trials at home.
A little about peanut allergy
Peanut allergy is a deadly problem. Out of the estimated 12 million Americans who suffer from food allergies, around 3.3 million are allergic to peanuts.
Its symptoms include, vomiting, diarrhea, acute abdominal pain, and asthma.
The allergy sufferers could also experience anaphylactic shock, a reaction that leads to swelling, breathing problem, heart failure, circulatory collapse. If the problem worsens, it can also lead to death.
Over the years, attempts made to tackle peanut allergies have failed. In the past, children allergic to peanuts were administered injections of peanut oil but this only triggered serious reactions.