The Origins of Peanut Allergy
5 hours ago
- Peanut allergy fatalities were nearly zero before 1980, with the first known case in 1972, and are now a significant issue mainly in the US.
- The increase in peanut allergy may be linked to aflatoxin, a carcinogenic toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, which contaminated the 1980 peanut crop after a severe drought.
- Peanut butter, a uniquely American staple, is often made from moldy peanuts that are processed into a homogeneous paste, hiding contamination and potentially acting as an adjuvant to trigger peanut allergy.
- The hypothesis is that early exposure to whole peanuts, not processed peanut butter, could prevent peanut allergy, as supported by recent guideline changes that have led to a 43% drop in incidence.
- Practical advice: if introducing peanuts to children, use whole roasted peanuts (after inspecting them) rather than commercial peanut butter to reduce aflatoxin exposure.