D.P.
Peanut allergies have TRIPLED from 1997 to 2008.
Theories include:
* “Clean living” and more medication use leaves immune systems in a condition that is more prone to attack harmless proteins, such as those in foods, pollens, and animal dander.
• The roasting process. Potentially, roasting makes a more allergenic food out of it. Some people theorize that the oil in peanut butter might make it more allergenic. Roasting peanuts changes the sugar and makes the protein more stable to digestion and easier for the immune system to attack.
• Overly cautious parent-allergy relationship: some parents may believe kids have an allergy when that hasn't actually been confirmed. Only 8% of food allergies are actually confirmed.
• Timing of when the peanut is introduced into a child's diet
• Greater knowledge. A generation ago, labeling a child as having a “weak stomach” or “sensitive skin,” was common. We now can identify and address these symptoms as specific allergic responses.
Any way you look at it the peanut allergy is potentially deadly for many kids, and peanut allergies (true peanut allergies) tend to be lifelong.
Wonder what George Washington Carver would think?