Posted on 02/21/2025 10:03:09 PM PST by ConservativeMind
New research has found that supplementing the maternal diet with α-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, can reduce the development of food allergy and anaphylaxis in newborn mice.
The prevalence of food allergy in children increased 50% from 2007 to 2021 in the United States (U.S.), with the incidence of peanut allergy tripling in that time. This study shows the potential for α-tocopherol in prenatal vitamins during pregnancy and lactation to address this alarming increase and reduce the development of food allergy early in life.
The study found that pups born to mice fed a diet supplemented with α-tocopherol during pregnancy and nursing showed reduced development of IgE antibodies to the food allergen and reduced peanut induced anaphylaxis.
The researchers used a mouse model to mimic the real-world conditions that contribute to allergy development in infants.
Pups were sensitized by skin exposure to known food allergens, household dust, and detergent to imitate common childhood exposures. After 2.5 weeks, pups were exposed to the allergen by oral consumption to test their allergic response.
The researchers found that pups born to mothers fed a diet supplemented with α-tocopherol displayed reduced development of allergies.
Dr. Joan Cook-Mills shared it may not be easy for mothers in the U.S. to benefit from α-tocopherol. "The potential of α-tocopherol to reduce allergic reactions in children will likely be dampened by high levels of γ-tocopherol due to its prevalence in common cooking oils (soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil) and supplements in the U.S.," said Dr. Cook-Mills.
Dr. Cook-Mills has previously reported that γ-tocopherol counteracts the benefits of α-tocopherol. "Currently, α-tocopherol supplementation may have a greater benefit in European countries, where common cooking oils (sunflower oil, safflower oil, and olive oil) are high in α-tocopherol and relatively low in γ-tocopherol," suggested Dr. Cook-Mills.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I did not know gamma tocopherol was a more common derivative form of vitamin E than alpha.
When I was growing up in the 70’s, I remember 0 peanut allergies.
Likewise.
I knew of a verse folks with it- that had to be really careful- si much so that even eating out would make them really sick. One person was so allergic to anything that laid eggs that just eating off a grill that had cooked chicken or duck or whatever would send him to hospital.. lots of stuff has egg in it too. Very restricted diet.
I wonder if one a day vitamins would be enough for the women and children born to them? Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea taking one while pregnant
Yep...bag of planters peanuts every day after school.
I actually don’t remember anyone having any allergies when I was growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. And I went to military school with about 800 others. We had no “menu”. Just “here’s your meal”. No Gluten Free, Dairy Free or Vegetarian BS of any sort.
Let’s find out what’s causing it in the first place.
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