Lupine Allergy. A Danger for the Peanut Allergic traveling To Europe

Lupine allergy and peanut allergy- is there a link?
On my page "Where Is the Peanut Hiding?"   I list items that pose a hidden danger to people allergic to peanuts. A rather obscure food called Lupin is quickly becoming a more commonly used ingredient and food, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean region.  
(also Australia, USA, Canada, South America,)
WARNING- Unfortunately many peanut allergic individuals can have an allergic reaction to lupin.

What is Lupin?
Lupinus, commonly called lupine in the U.S. or lupin in Europe and Australia, is a common garden plant genus in the legume family, related to legumes such as peanuts,lentils,beans and peas. There are many different types of lupin. The majority of lupin is used for animal feed. "Sweet lupine" varieties are used in foods.

Some lupin varieties produce seeds which are used in foods.
Lupin seed are high in protein and have the full range of essential amino acids.

Lupin in Food
Lupin Flour 
In many mainland European countries, particularly Italy and France, lupin flour and /or peanut flour may be mixed with Wheat flour in baked goods and pasta. Common uses include bread, pizza, pasta, cookies, cereals, gluten-free products, biscuits, onion rings, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon cubes

Soy Alternative  

Lupin seeds are being recognized as a cheaper alternative to soy, becoming a more popular replacement for soy in recipes and other products. 

Fat Replacement in Food  

Lupine may be added to food as a fat replacement. (U.S. manufacturers will love this).  Researchers in Europe have found new uses for Lupin in low-fat products. 

Think low-fat sausage, low-fat ice cream, cream cheese and low-fat baked goods.

Lupini Beans

In the Mediterranean the yellow legume seed of lupins are called lupini beans.
Popular since Roman times, these beans are often soaked in brine and sold in jars like pickles. They are often eaten as a snack. Cento, an Italian manufacturer sells jars of Lupini Beans. You can find them right here in the United States.  Lupini Beans are very popular in Italy
- of course that is where we will be traveling with our peanut allergic son this summer. 
You can buy a paper cone of lupini beans from a street vendor in Rome.

Lupini Beans are popular as appetizers in many countries including Egypt, Syria. Called "altramuz" in Spain and Argentina and in Italy and Portugal called "tremoços"

Tremocos or Lupini Beans

Lebanon call "termos". Turkey and Egypt call "tirmis".

Tirmis sold by street vendor in Egypt

Restaurants
Lupini Beans are incorporated into foods served in restaurants in many countries.
They are used in Soups, Stews, Salads, and Entrees plus Hummus where lupine beans can replace chick peas.
Germany

Newly bred variants of "sweet lupins" are widely grown in Germany. The seeds are used in sausages, lupi-tofu and lupin flour. 

Gluten-Free Products

Although mostly unknown by American consumers, lupin is used in the U.S. in many gluten-free and high-protein products. It is not widely used in the U.K.

Lupin Fiber used in South America
Extracted from the grain shell of lupin and used in South American for cereal bars,sausages,bakery products, food supplements and extruded products

Lupin may cause an allergic reaction if you have a peanut allergy ranging from Hives to anaphylactic reactions.


TRAVELING TO EUROPE- 
We are traveling to Italy and France this summer. What should I do in order to protect my son? 
We do not know if he is allergic to lupin.  I feel I should have him tested, but "where o where" will I ever find the so far obscure lupini bean in the U.S. much less in Texas. Seriously!
I went into "protective parent" mode and did my research to find lupini beans locally.  I felt in had seen them somewhere....I had the picture of a jar in my head.
YES- success!  Central Market, to their surprise, carries them. I will hop in the car today to purchase them.
Food labeling rules in the EU require pre-packed food sold in the UK or the rest of the European Union (EU) to show clearly on the label if  a product contains lupin (or if one of its ingredients contains it). Lupin has been approved for use in bread flour in Europe since 1997.
Thus I think we will be able to avoid the danger of "packaged food" by reading the labels.

If Alexander proves to be allergic to lupin, the big problem for us will probably be restaurant food and their use of lupini beans or lupin containing foods such a bread and pasta.  Even tomato sauce can contain lupine flour. Ugh!

Plan of Action?
1) See if  our allergist can test our son for an allergy to lupine.
2) See if the jarred of lupini beans will work or if I have to source the raw beans.  I have read online about the difficulty in soaking and cooking these beans so I do hope I won't have to be "chef mom".
3) Order Select Wisely food allergy translation cards for use on our European holiday.

HELP -I have many Europeans who read this blog. I need your help. If you know of foods that contain lupine please tell me using the Comment box below.
Thank you so very much- Julie

Sources  http://www.lupins.org/lupins/
Food Standards Agency http://www.food.gov.uk/ , http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2010-2011/13/low-fat-lupin-proteins.jsp, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.200900365/abstract
http://www.vilher.com.mx/en/productos.php?categoria_id=6&producto_id=53
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/lupine.html

Life Threatening Food Allergies-This video could save a life. Carry an EPIPEN

So many people do not take food allergies seriously. Although food labeling laws in the U.S. have improved accidental exposure and ingestion of life-threatening foods is common.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food manufacturers 
to list the 8 most common ingredients that trigger food allergies. Most other developed countries have similar rules.
The 8 foods, listed below, account for 90% of allergic reactions.
Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree Nuts such as almonds,cashews,pecans, walnuts)
Fish
Shellfish (especially crustaceans)
Soy
Wheat


The deadliest food allergy is to PEANUTS. It is the most common cause of anaphylaxis death in the United States. 
(see my list Where is the Peanut Hiding)


What is anaphylaxis?

According to Web MD anaphylaxis refers to a rapidly developing and serious allergic reactions that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time.

It can occur after eating only a tiny amount of an allergic food.

The reaction could start with itchy gums or tingling lips, watery eyes, zoning out, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hives or it can be delayed, slower with the person experience the feeling of "impending doom". (not sure how to describe this one).

In the future I will write a more extensive post on experiencing anaphylaxis.

Severe anaphylactic reactions can be fatal.

Those who have a severe peanut allergy are at risk of having a life-threatening reaction and should strictly avoid peanuts and carry an EpiPen epinephrine auto injector at all times according to multiple web sources as well as allergists. 
My teenage son is allergic to peanuts. Our family policy is to carry 2 EpiPen's. 
Those are the instructions for my son to adhere to although he loathes carrying an EpiPen and has forgotten to carry one more often than I can remember.
Why carry 2?
You may need a 2nd dose,often after 20 minutes or less. (Video link @ end of post)

Thank goodness there is hope for those with Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies.

A new TREATMENT is now available. 
My son, Alexander is currently being treated successfully. 
As of the date of this post he is EATING 12 Peanut Per Day. This is his dosing amount as part of his peanut allergy Treatment Program.


So many precious children and adults have died from a severe allergic reaction to food. It breaks my heart. That is why I am writing this blog. 
I want to get the word out about this new treatment program to everyone, along with all this other food allergy information I can post.

Please send a link to our blog Just A Little Peanut. Pass along to as many people as you can think of 

because 

you don't know who your friends may know with life-threatening food allergies. Think outside the box. The information is useful to people worldwide.
I know of one family planning to move from India to Dallas so their daughter can be treated for her peanut allergy.

Alexander's story and Treatment program is detailed in my blog. 
Click here to go to my Home page where you can perform a search using the word Alexander or click on the titles below for a few of the posts.
Countdown to the BIg Day , Treatment Day 1, Peanut Allergy Treatment #3 and #4, Countdown to 1 Whole Peanut,  Dose Delayed, Allergic Teen EATS a PEANUT 

Remember you could save a life. Please pass this post via FB, Twitter
Too many people have died due to food allergy to peanuts, tree nuts and other life-threatening food allergies. 


Click here to watch a VIDEO on HOW TO USE AN EPIPEN .


Sources- Mayo Clinic , EpiPen, AllergicChild

Food Allergies Can Be DEADLY- Make A DIFFERENCE During Food Allergy Awareness Week

Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW) is coming May 8-14, 2011. There are many things each of us can do to promote awareness of food allergies. Click on the link above to read all about it. 
You can also follow us on twitter http://www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog 


You can have an impact. Request a proclamation from your state governor. Texas is the only state so far to formally recognize FAAW this year. You can "Like" FAAN on Facebook. 
You could contact local media with this press release from FAAN.
There are lots of ideas on their website.  Below is their cute new video for FAAW.
Why is this important to me?
My son has a severe peanut allergy. The good news is he is being TREATED with success using oral immunotherapy. We began treatment in December 2010 and as of this week he is eating 12 peanuts a day. Click here to read an explanation. Also treated are Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies.

MILK ALLERGY TREATMENT NOW AVAILABLE

Milk Allergy Treatment is now Available. Read one mother's story.
On December 2,2010 Ann Pask and her son Eric began a new treatment, oral immunotherapy, for Eric's severe MILK Allergy. My son Alexander began treatment for his life threatening PEANUT Allergy at the same time. Click here to view my post regarding Treatment Day 1. You van follow us on twitter
www.twitter.com/PeanutBlog

Ann is my first guest contributor. Here is her story, thus far.

Julie:
Well, the sleet is pelting down on the skylight in our master bathroom, and I can’t sleep.  So, thought I’d spend a few minutes thinking about milk allergies!  So, here goes!
-Ann

MILK ALLERGIES

My 10-year-old son, Eric, has life-threatening food allergies to milk, eggs, fish and shellfish.  Prior to his birth, I was blissfully unaware of the impact food allergies could have on a child and the family.  My daughter Rachel, now 13, thankfully does not have any food allergies.  I remember cautiously giving her peanut butter as a toddler, and asking her Mother’s Day Out teacher if any child had a peanut allergy before packing a PB&J.  I also remember the joy of eating ice cream and pizza with her (now forbidden foods), and even the first time she ate mussels when she was about 18 months old.  Then along came my son.

MILK DESENSITIZATION

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, about 80 percent of children outgrow milk allergy by age 16.  But my son’s blood test scores increased every year, and we feared he might be in the minority that didn’t outgrow the allergy.  I would have dreams (nightmares really) that I had to bake his milk-free, egg-free wedding cake!  That’s why we chose to try milk desensitization.  Eric has been the only child in school who can’t eat pizza for so long, and I want him to at least be able to eat pizza in high school or college!

We began his milk desensitization on December 2, 2010.  It started with an 8-hour day at the allergist’s office.  There were 3 boys starting desensitization that day.  Eric was starting milk, a 15-year-old boy was starting peanut, and a 17-year-old boy was starting egg.  They had name tags that read “milk,” “egg,” and “peanut,” which I found humorous!
Over the course of the day, Eric ingested minute amounts of cow’s milk in a solution of 1 part milk and 29 parts water.  They boys received their “dose” every 15 minutes, until 26 total doses were given.  I’m not sure how much milk he actually got by the end of the day, but I know it wasn’t much.  But thankfully, he did not have a reaction.  At one point, he got nervous so we slowed down a little bit, but overall it went very smoothly.

Since that initial day, we have gone back to the allergist once a week to increase the dose.  The first several weeks, he drank the water/milk solution.  But by the 6th week, I was asked to purchase straight whole organic cow’s milk — something I thought I would never do for my son!  He was given 1 milliliter of cow’s milk, and all went smoothly.  The dose increases have gone as follows:  1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml, 6 ml, and we just started 8 ml (about 1 1/2 teaspoon).  We have had a couple of incidents, but not too serious.  The first reaction occurred just a couple of weeks into the desensitization.  I gave him the cow’s milk, and about 2 minutes later he started sneezing uncontrollably.  I told the doctor he looked like I would in a room full of cats!  He never had trouble breathing, but he was miserable with constant sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.  I watched him very closely, and after about 1 1/2 hours I could tell he was starting to get better.  Thankfully, that has not happened again.  And recently about 30 minutes after his morning milk dose, he felt nauseous.  I had to take him to school, so I asked the nurse to check on him, and after an hour he was fine.  Apparently, nausea is not uncommon.
We are thankful to be proceeding so smoothly.  If all goes well, he will be up to 240 (about 8 ounces) of milk by June.
I have asked the school principal if we could have a pizza and ice cream party for his grade, and of course she said yes!
I’m saying a prayer it works, and keeping my fingers crossed too!
-Author, Ann Pask

Read more about this new Milk Allergy Treatment below.
Our son Alexander and Eric Pask continue to be successfully treated for their respective food allergies at Dallas Allergy Immunology (DAI).
Alexander is now eating 12 Peanuts per day as part of the treatment.
Eric Pask is ingesting 9 teaspoons of milk.

UPDATE-December 2012.
Both Alexander (for peanut Alletgy) and Eric (for Milk Allergy) have successfully completed treatment and are "desensitized" to their allergies. Check out
the rest of my Blog for more information.

Many more patients have now been successfully treated for their Milk Allergy since the original publishing if this post.
The treatment is WORKING!!

DAI also treats Egg,Wheat,Soy and other Nut allergies (2012).
The following except printed in green is from the original post of this story.
As per DAI website the DAI website.


DallasAllergyImmunology is pleased to announce a new oral immunotherapy program that provides a long-term solution for wheat, egg, peanut and milk allergic patients. At the end of this 5-6 month program patients with wheat, egg, peanut or milk allergy will be able to consume these foods with no allergic reactions. The program introduces minute doses of wheat, egg, peanut or milk in solution over a period of three to four months. The program then progresses to small doses of the whole food for an additional two to three months, resulting in tolerance to these foods allowing the children to consume wheat, eggs, peanuts and/or milk without any adverse reactions.
We have a number of children who have graduated from the program and are now eating eggs, and peanuts or drinking milk without reactions. This program is designed for a child of school age or older who will be old enough to understand the reasons for participating and be actively engaged in the process.

Food Allergies, Clinical Trials & Peanut Allergy Treatment. Video of Interview on NBC New York Nightly News with Dr. Scott Sicherer

1 in 25 children in the United States have a food allergy according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).


Watch an interview below by Chuck Scarborough NBC news anchor, of Dr. Scott Sicherer and Judy Slotkin. Dr. Sicherer is the Chief of the Division on Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute which is part of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is  also a clinician and clinical researcher in the Jaffe Institute. Judy Slotkin is amother of 2 food allergic children and wife of FAI Chairman, Todd Slotkin.

Dr. Sicherer talks about food allergies and clinical trials. The Jaffe Food Allergy Institute e was established in 1997. Their pioneering work in every area of food-allergic disorders is cutting-edge. The Institute is directed by Hugh A. Sampson,M.D., who is recognized internationally for his work in the field of food allergy.


Mrs. Slotkin discusses her experiences with food allergies and the work of FAI (The Food Allergy Initiative). Her twins are participating in a food allergy clinical trial at Mount Sinai.

Peanut Allergy- Life Threatening- My son,Alexander,is receiving full Treatment for his peanut allergy as opposed to a clinical trial. Clinical trials are vital and lead to the types of advances in care and treatment such as the new treatment my son is receiving.

As part of his treatment my son is currently EATING 10 peanuts a day with no adverse reaction.
His initial dose was 1/1000 of a peanut. Click here to read about the first day then click here to read Peanut Allergic Teen Easts A Whole Peanut.

FAI is a fantastic organization that raises funds for research into food allergies. 
To learn about FAI's efforts to find a cure, visit Helpful LInks section on the right side of my blog Just A Little Peanut.
Look for Food Allergy Initiative.  


I hope my post is helpful to you- Julie Brice Beiersdorf

Breakthrough Treatment for Peanut Allergies. Oral desensitization. Interview with Dr.Wasserman.

My son is being treated by Dr. Wasserman for his severe peanut allergy. This is not a clinical trial or study. It is real treatment using oral immunotherapy (oral desensitization.)
The treatment began Dec 2,2010. To read about the full day treatment on Day 1 click here.
This breakthrough Treatment is also offered for Milk, Egg & Wheat allergies.

The treatment has been a great success thus far. After only 13 weeks my teenage son Alexander is eating 10 peanuts per day as his current dose under this program. He has had no adverse reactions.
Can you imagine. A peanut allergic child eating this many peanuts!
It is a miracle.

After Alexander completes the initial desensitizing phase and passes a "peanut challenge" he will be on a "maintenance" dose for 3 years (under the current protocol which may change).
My husband has asked me if our sons peanut allergy will be "cured" as a result of this treatment.
Dr.Wasserman does not yet know if the treatment will result in a total "cure".
Until science proves otherwise, I suspect Alexander will be on some form of a "peanut maintenance dose" beyond the required 3 years. This s OK with me. Our family is so thankful Alexander will have a high level of protection from a serious allergic reaction to peanuts.
Why don't we just avoid peanuts?
Peanuts allergies are often serious and accidental ingestion due to cross-contamination with others foods is a constant danger. Peanuts hide, undetected in all sorts of foods.
For a list click here.

Per Dr. Wasserman in a recent interview
"The goal of desensitization is a more normal life, markedly decreasing the risk of a reaction and enhancing normal social development and family life."

When asked if patients can be considered "cured" with the treatment offered by his practice Dallas Allergy Immunology he stated,
"No. I would consider desensitization an ongoing treatment. We don't yet know if this will result in a remission (i.e., that would be when we stop maintenance doses and allow occasional, random exposure to the food)."

Click here to read the full interview. http://www.allergymoms.com is a wonderful website to explore.
Gina Clowes performs a great service in this area.

I want to thank all the researchers,doctors,medical staff snd hospitals who have worked for a cure and treatment for food allergies. Above all I wanted to thank God Almighty.

Food Allergies Increasing Among Children

How common are food allergies in U.S. children? 

According to new data published by the National Center for Health Statistics division of the Center for Disease Control (CDC),

1 out of every 25 children has a food allergy in the U.S., representing about a 20% increase between 1997 to 2007.

The study also showed that hospitalizations of children due to food allergy reactions in the U.S. have significantly increased since 1998, with an average of 9,537 hospitalizations a year. 

The CDC study also found that children with a food allergy are more likely to have asthma or other allergic conditions.

I always thought there was a link between my children's food allergies and their asthma. My mother's instinct is proven.

This is very disturbing data but there is hope.

Treatment for Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies is now available.  

Click here to read more posts about treatment.

My son is currently being successfully treated for his peanut allergy.

Click here to read an article on the CDC data published by the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network ( FAAN) 

Click here To view a complete copy of the CDC study.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Are FOOD ALLERGIES CONSIDERED DISABILITIES under the American's with Disabilities Act

Are food allergies considered "disabilities" by law under the American's With Disabilities Act? (ADA).
YES.
The following is the current text of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which became effective on January 1, 2009.  

Sec. 12102. Definition of disability

As used in this chapter:

(1) Disability

The term "disability" means, with respect to an individual;

(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual

(B) a record of such an impairment; or

(C) being regarded as having such an impairment (as described in paragraph (3)

To learn more about the ADA, click here to visit the ADA website. To read the current version of the ADA click here.  Note- it is very long and detailed.


Here is an excerpt from an article published by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) that addresses this important question.
"a person with a disability is described as someone who has a physical or mental   impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or is regarded as having such impairments. 
Breathing, eating, working and going to school are "major life activities." Asthma and allergies are still considered disabilities under the ADA, even if symptoms are controlled by medication."

Click here to read the AAFA article which was updated in 1995.

To read more about Treatment for Peanut, Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies click here 
for my posts on Just A Little Peanut- food allergy blog. 

Precise Dose for Peanut Allergy Treatment- Oral Immunotherapy

Now that Alexander's peanut allergy treatment has progressed he is having his peanut dose increased each week.


Date Dose     Amount     Frequency     Total Peanuts per 24 Hours
Jan 27          1 Peanut    Twice per day         2
Feb  3           2 Peanuts    Twice per day        4
Feb 10          3 Peanuts    Twice per day        6


Feb 17          4 Peanuts    Twice per day       8
Feb 24          5 Peanuts    Twice per day      10


I need to shell more peanuts
Why does Dr. Wasserman required to buy in-shell peanuts and shell them myself?
He is being cautious. Unfortunately, Alexander may be allergic to Almonds so we must avoid possible cross-contamination in processed peanuts.
Click here to see my post "Shucking Peanuts for Alexander's Big Day".  
Alexander's dosing amount is very precise! Each peanut must an an average size peanut. Not too big and not too small. 
To obtain an average sized peanut from an in-shell peanut is hard to accomplish. This morning my son requested I provide new peanuts because only large peanuts remain from the first batch I shelled.
We are so thankful that due to the peanut allergy immunotherapy treatment our son is able to actually Eat Peanuts safely! 
I will happily shell the peanuts for him.
As I set about the task again, I experience the same issue that occurred the last time I shelled peanuts. The first few peanuts split in half. I shell a few more and their size is too large.

In an odd sort of way I now have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde relationship with peanuts.
They scare me but I need them. Shelling these peanuts is like panning for gold. 
If a peanut pops out of the shell and falls into the sack of peanut shells then I have to sift through the shells and peanut debris to find the golden nugget, a whole peanut.


Once I dropped a perfect peanut specimen into the sink. Ugh! I thought about saving it. 
I wiped it off carefully but I came to my senses thinking "what has been in that sink?"
Yes, I tossed it into the trash.
So what is my shelling "success rate"? Curious, I decided to calculate the yield from my harvesting of the in-shell peanuts. Here are the details-
1) I shelled in batches of 10 in-shell peanuts. Each peanut containing 2 shelled peanuts for a total possible yield of 20 peanuts per batch.
2) I shelled 7 batches for a total possible yield of 140 peanuts.
3) My harvest averaged 7.28 peanuts that were perfectly whole and average in size 
out of 20. 
4) Rate of success in obtaining "perfect peanuts" only 36%.
At this rate I will be doing a lot of shelling.


I thought perhaps the quality of the in-shell peanuts I purchased was inferior in some way.
The shells are hard to crack, the peanut dust flies everywhere and the peanuts break apart.
At Dr. Wasserman's today I shared my story with another Mom of a peanut allergic child. She tried shelling peanuts. Same issues. Then she bought peanuts from a different source, Albertson's Grocery store in Dallas and the shelling experience was better.
So I will be heading to Albertson's.

After 2 hours of work my "Total Harvest" was only 88 Average Size Whole Peanuts, 
32 unusable Extra Large Peanuts and a Jar Full of Half Peanuts also not useable, or so I thought.

Alexander's dose was recently increased 4 Whole Peanuts per dose for a daily total of 8 Whole Peanuts.  The next dose will be 5 peanuts per dose or 10 total per day.
My peanut supply will not last long.
I have a plan to solve the challenge. I will conduct a science experiment to determine the average weight in grams of an average size shelled peanut.
Watch for that post. The results will save you a lot of time if you need to shell peanuts as part of a peanut allergy treatment program.


I am so thankful that Alexander's peanut allergy treatment is proceeding so well. 

Low-Allergy Peanut Being Developed in United States

Here is a novel approach.  A low-allergy peanut is being developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Researchers are working to develop a new breed of peanut. The properties 900 different peanut strains of peanuts have been examined as part of the process. Whew! 
Good news. The new peanut is not genetically modified. It is produced through traditional cross-breeding.


Why develop this new low-allergy peanut?
Here is an excerpt from a Time Magazine article-

"Researchers are hopeful that a low allergy peanut could be incorporated into allergy treatment programs aimed at building patients' resistance, and could potentially help eliminate the cross-contamination issues on manufacturing production lines and during food preparation in restaurant kitchens."

Perhaps in a future generation growing up eating "low-allergy peanuts" we would see a reduced incidence of peanut allergy. Who knows?


For people already allergic to peanuts it seems logical that a low-allergy peanut might enable them to consume some low allergy peanut products without a reaction. 
I am not a scientist but these possibilities make common sense to me.


According to the Time article the target for public availability of a low-allergy peanut is 2-5 years. 
I think this is a great idea. I hope it is successful.


The peanut oral desensitization treatment our son Alexander is currently receiving for his peanut allergy is a real breakthrough for those allergic to peanuts.
Currently treatment is offered in only a handful places in the United States.
It is proceeding very well thus far. 


Alexander started treatment on December 12, 2010. He is now consuming 8 peanuts per day as his "dose". His dose increases each week. 
More details are available in other posts on my blog.


Click here to read my post "Peanut Allergy Treatment Day 1"

Click here to read Time Magazine article published in June 2010  "Designing a low-allergy peanut?"
Click here to read an article from BBC Health News on the low-allergy peanut