Introduction
All of us eat to survive, and most of us enjoy eating. Sampling delicious food, especially with family and friends in a warm atmosphere is one of the most enjoyable things in life (Ito, 2007). However, some people are not fortunate to enjoy themselves because they have a strange condition called “food allergy”. Such people live with anxiety and nervousness that they might accidentally eat a food that could prompt an unfavorably susceptible allergic reaction. Studies show that 1 in 25 adults are allergic to at least one food (NIAID, 2012).
A food allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a harmless food as though it were a threat. When a person with food allergy is exposed to the food for the first time, no symptoms will
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show up, but this exposure prepares the body to respond during the next exposure. When the person consumes the same food again, an allergic reaction can happen (NIAID, 2012). Food allergies can be irritating to even life-threatening in certain cases.
Around 30,000 people in America go to hospitals every year to get treatment for extreme food allergies. It is discovered that around 150 to 200 people die in America every year due to severe cases of food allergies (FDA, 2009).
Food allergies are very tricky issues. As indicated by Food Allergy Research and Education, “nearly any food is capable of causing an allergic reaction.” Most of the allergens in food are proteins, and ninety percent of food-allergic reactions in America are caused by allergens from just eight common foods like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish and fish (Lim,
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2014). Symptoms of Food Allergy Food allergy symptoms mostly occurs immediately after eating a particular food. The common signs and symptoms of food allergy are as follows: • Itches and skin rashes • Swelling on face, throat, air passages and other parts of the body • Wheezing, nausea or nasal congestion, • Pain in abdomen, diarrhea and emesis • Woozy and loss of balance • Sudden drop in blood pressure • Arrhythmia • Fainting (FDA, 2009). Causes of Food Allergy Currently, no one knows precisely what causes food allergies. There are numerous theories or hypothesis. Some of the causes as explained by the scientists and experts are as follows: • Hygiene Hypothesis • Increased childhood vaccinations • Mothers diet during pregnancy • Genetics (AllergicChild, ND). Abstract There has been lot of debates and discussions in the past as to what causes food allergy.
In this paper, I wish to persuade the main reason for food allergies from my understanding. According to me, consumption of Genetically modified food is the most important reason behind food allergies. However, researchers and scientists are desperately trying to convince the public that Genetically modified foods are not at all a reason for the allergic reactions to human body. I don’t believe this is true. I would like to describe the various aspects of food allergy relevant to the assessment of proteins found in genetically modified foods to support my opinion to the
fullest. Genetically modified foods are totally hazardous to health. Current safety measures are not powerful to protect us or even identify the dangers. Many evidences are available to support my opinion by through availability of studies related to theoretical risks associated with GM foods. This paper of mine will summarize some of the studies and its findings related to allergic immune responses. Genetically Modified Soy studies: Soy allergies increased 50% in United Kingdom as soon as GM soy was introduced. If GM soy was the real cause, it may be because of several facts. The protein that makes Soy resistant to any herbicide has never been found safe to humans and it may be an allergen. A part of the transgene from these GM soybeans transfers into the bacteria present in human gut during ingestion. When people stop eating GM soy, they become continuously exposed to its potentially allergenic protein, which is being created in their gut. • Studies suggest that the trypsin inhibitor level of one of the known allergens was 27% more in raw Genetically modified soy. Also cooked GM soy had 7 times higher count compared to cooked non-GM variety of soy. This higher amount is not only potentially harmful, but probably be more heat stable and, therefore, more allergenic than the natural Soy variety. • A study confirmed that GM soybeans contains an IgE-binding allergenic protein which are not found in non GM soy varieties. Eight people who had a skin-prick allergic reaction to GM soy had no reaction with non GM soy. This implies that those people who reacted to GM soy is more and huge. • In another study, mice were fed with GM variety of soy and found that it had reduced the pancreatic enzymes secretion in its body. It’s found that the protein-digesting enzymes got suppressed and this led to proteins to stay in the gut for longer thus giving more time for allergies to occur. It’s very clear from the above studies that Genetically Modified Soy caused severe allergic reactions to humans. Bt Toxin Induced Allergic Reaction studies: Bt toxin is said to be related to immune and allergic responses in man and animals. Studies suggests that the Bt toxin is a major factor in causing allergic reactions. The Bt proteins in most available modified varieties of corn would never pass the allergy test protocol in the FAO report of 2001. The reason is the presence of amino acid sections similar to the known allergens which are very stable in digestive juice. Additional evidences to support Bt Toxin effects are as follows: • Studies proved that when populations were exposed to Bt spray, thousands complained of allergic reactions. • Indian farmers who were exposed to Bt cotton exhibited severe allergic reactions. • Mice fed with Bt cotton exhibited a significant antibody response. • Rats fed with MON 863 Bt corn showed increased count in 3 types of blood cells: basophils, lymphocytes, and white cell corpuscles which is a good proof that they got infected. • Bt-cotton farmers in India exhibited so many symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, itching and burning sensation, skin eruptions, runny nose, facial blushing and swelling, fever etc. Some of them were hospitalized. • Filipinos who inhaled Bt-corn pollen reported to have suffered from asthma and nausea later. They also exhibited swollen faces, sneezing and fever, coughs, headache, stomach pain, weakness, and numbness, diarrhea, dizziness and vomiting (Smith, 2014). The above studies prove the hazardous effects of Bt Toxin on human being. The studies show that GM foods are one of the most important reason for Food Allergies. GM Pea Research study: Researchers in Australia stopped commercialization of a GM pea as soon as they discovered some alarming and surprising results. They investigated whether the GM peas caused any immune responses. The GM pea contains a special protein called alpha-amylase which protects them from pea weevils. It inhibits the enzyme that the weevils require for digestion, resulting in them starving to death. Scientists also fed the mice with GM peas and the mice showed an immediate immune response by producing antibodies to the fight the GM protein. When these mice were again exposed to the GM protein later, they exhibited severe allergic reactions. It was also found that when these mice were given egg white protein, a very common food allergen along with the GM variety of peas, an immune response to the egg white protein occurred, showing that the exposure to the new protein has caused the mice to react to other foods materials also (FOE, 2006). The GM Pea research study showed how genetically modified Peas caused immune responses in Mice. The study easily proved that GM foods should never be consumed. Conclusion Technology has always helped to improve our food supply system since the first cultivation of crops like wheat and barley. The introduction of genetically modified foods has brought to light the challenges inherent in identification of food allergens and individuals who are sensitive to those allergens (NCBI, 2003). It's almost difficult to say that there's zero danger from utilizing GMO innovation as a part of our food system. It's additionally worth testing the security of anything new that we put into our mouths. Despite the fact that security tests are done, it is difficult to totally dispose of all the related dangers. Keeping in mind the end goal to feed the billions of individuals on our planet without doing damage to the environment, we should be thinking about all our accessible choices (Bonham, 2013).
Following my first sip of milk at the age of one, with the resulting hives and coughing that ensued, I involuntarily joined the community of fifteen million Americans afflicted by food allergies. Living everyday with additional allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish has, out of necessity, sharpened my compulsiveness with ingredients and food preparation, but furthermore has spurred me to intervene on behalf of fellow members in this emerging epidemic. The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) national organization has been a source of education and support in my own life, and subsequently has aided my efforts to raise awareness among peers, and to nurture my advocacy involvement. Selected as a member of FARE’s Teen Advisory
...n potential death. What the FDA should do is support funding for more advertising, encouraging all citizens to be more aware with the potentially hazardous products they consume. I’m sure if people without food allergies were more aware of the potential harm their daily snack could cause to someone else, they would start to use a lot more caution.
From 1997 to 2008 the number of American children that have some form of nut allergy has tripled. Peanut allergies are considered one of “Big 8” food allergies that accounts for 90% of allergies which includes 3 million Americans out of the 21 million Americans that suffer from some form of allergy. Less than 21% of those individuals with peanut allergies will outgrow it. Peanut allergies account for the most common food related deaths. Four out of every 100 children have some form of food allergy. If an allergy is going to surface it will effect a child between 12 and 14 months of age this is why child care environments are the most vulnerable. Peanut allergies affect about 5% within this age group. I was surprised with the various names and different items that peanuts can be found in. Peanut
Food, a necessity for all and something very delicious, but also deadly for some people. Not everyone can live free of food allergies. Food allergies occur in 1 out of every 13 children. This indicates over fifteen million people in the world suffer from food allergies. The food epidemic poses a threat to many citizens that live with food allergies because of incorrect labeling, distribution and safety in the preparation of food. My research highlights two key items: (1) definition of food allergies and how they affect the daily lives of those living with them and (2) the importance of food allergy knowledge and how educating people about food allergies will hopefully jumpstart the progress to find a cure.
Nutritionism and Today’s Diet Nutritionism is the ideology that the nutritional value of a food is the sum of all its individual nutrients, vitamins, and other components. In the book, “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan, he critiques scientists and government recommendations about their nutritional advice. Pollan presents a strong case pointing out the many flaws and problems that have risen over the years of following scientific studies and government related warnings on the proper amount of nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Pollan’s main point is introducing science into our food system has had more of a negative impact than a positive one, we should go back to eating more of a traditional diet. I believe food science has given us
Michael Pollan makes arguments concerning the eating habits of the average American. Pollan suggests, in spite of our cultural norms, we should simply “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.”
Cobb, Jr, Albert H. "Latex Allergies and Food Cross-Sensitivity." Allergy and Family Medicine ~ Dr. Albert Cobb. Allergy and Family Medicine, 2003. N. Pag. Web. 28 Nov. 2011.
You have close relatives with allergy (that is, a mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, or child)
A recent study in 2015 reports that over 15 million people in America have food allergies that is 1 in every 13 people under the age of 18. Making it very likely that somebody in this room is part of these 15 million American’s who have food allergies. If you are somebody who has food allergies, or you know of someone who has food allergies, this speech will help you better understand more about food allergies, so you can deal with food allergies and more importantly be more careful around other people who do. So today, I am going to be informing you about Food allergies.
In the United States, over three million people are diagnosed with food allergies every year, and over 50 million people have an allergy to some type of food. This number includes one in every 13 children. Most people are born with their allergies; however, allergies can develop at any age, and that is what happened to me. I developed an allergy when I was 14 years old. It was then that some troubling and deleterious side effects started happening to me. When people develop food allergies, their immune systems overreact to normally harmless food proteins. (foodallergy.org). These attacks can affect people in a multitude of ways; they can cause hives, difficulty in breathing, stomach aches, and many more symptoms.
Human race is known to have developed numerous allergies to various known and unknown allergens. An extreme allergic reaction which can be “life-threatening”. (Mydr.com.au, 2014) is referred to as Anaphylaxis.It is a “medical emergency”(Lloyd & Sisman,2013).Statistics indicate that maximum deaths occur due to allergic reactions of various medicines. The other causative agents can be insects, food, latex, hair dye, etc(Lloyd & Sisman,2013). The most common trigger to stimulate anaphylaxis among children are food products such as peanuts, dairy, seafood etc. Exposure to any of these allergens can result in severe anaphylactic attack within 20 minutes.(Australian Resuscitation council, 2012).However the doctors discuss the history of symptoms occurring in children suffering with peanut allergy before declaring them to be anaphylactic and prescribing medication. (Unknown, 2014). Symptoms of anaphylaxis may occur in varied forms depending upon the severty of the reaction. For instance in mild cases swelling of lips, eyes or face occurs along with hives, rash, tingling of mouth and vomitting accompanied with abdominal pain. Nevertheless in extreme conditions the former symptoms may be accompanied with noisy breathing, wheezing, hoarseness and unconsciousness. (Lloyd & Sisman,2013).
In the same room with you, there might be people allergic to your food, and by bringing that food, you put them in danger. Without knowing, you will hurt someone or even kill. Imagine you being allergic to something. You came to the movies knowing you will never find this single fruit that you are allergic to, and then, BAM, you see someone in front of you chewing an orange. You immediately start to scratch, and soon you face is twice as big as it should be.
America is a capitalist society. It should come to a surprise when we live like this daily. We work for profit. We’ll buy either for pleasure or to sell later for profit. It should come to no surprise that our food is made the same way because we are what we eat. We are capitalist that eat a capitalist meal. So we must question our politics. Is our government system to blame for accepting and encouraging monopolies?
Patients who usually have allergies suffer from many symptoms due to the allergic reaction(s). Normally, your immune system protects you against invading agents such as bacteria and viruses. Otherwise harmless allergens (allergy-producing substances) cause your body to react as if they were dangerous invaders. In effect, your immune system is responding to a false alarm.
Through various observations and assumptions, there have been conversations on whether or not overconsumption of food is an addiction. However, many have come to the conclusion that food is an addiction if it is overconsume excessively than it is necessary for an individual’s diet. Nevertheless, food addiction can create health issues that can affect an individual’s body. Even though, many individual may have such knowledge of overconsumption of food; however, many may choose to ignore the consequences that comes with food addiction. Becoming a food addict is harmful and dangerous to an individual’s health.