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In reply to the discussion: So, why the rise in peanut allergies anyway? [View all]reformist2
(9,841 posts)3. The mystery deepens: NO reported allergies to peanut-based Plumpy'Nut in Africa!?
"Its inevitable that peanut allergy concerns arise when discussing Plumpynut. Here in the United States its become completely normal for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or any peanut product for that matter, to be banned from school cafeterias. With over 3 million Americans afflicted with peanut or nut allergies, its naturally assumed that peanut allergies are a global health problem. Au contraire! In many parts of Africa, peanut allergies dont even exist! Scientists credit this to the Wests lowered immune system that, ironically, has developed as a result of improved hygiene, vaccinations, and antibiotics.
Food allergies seem far less common in poor countries than in rich countries, says André Briend, creator of Plumpynut. Doctors without Borders worker Dr. Shepherd, seconds Briends observation claiming that HE HAS YET TO COME ACROSS A CHILD WITH A PEANUT ALLERGY IN AFRICA. Clearly, peanut allergies have not interfered with Plumpynuts relief efforts.
While another ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF), EZ Paste, also known as BP-100, was created peanut-free, Plumpynut is still more widely used and accepted. Because the peanut is already a staple food in Africa, children are delighted by its sweetened taste and parents dont have to worry about allergies!"
http://plumpynutpress.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/peanut-allergies/
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When I was a child, children on the high end of the autism spectrum were
Lydia Leftcoast
Apr 2013
#73
The mystery deepens: NO reported allergies to peanut-based Plumpy'Nut in Africa!?
reformist2
Apr 2013
#3
I don't think being "too clean" passes the laugh test. I don't think people keep their homes as
byeya
Apr 2013
#5
Thanks for the clarification. Study after study, published by reputable journals say washing
byeya
Apr 2013
#25
I don't think it's a matter of being too clean so much as all the chemicals sprayed around
hedgehog
Apr 2013
#27
some of the most popular trees for street planting in the last 40 years - forgot whatthey are called
bettyellen
Apr 2013
#40
In Japan, they planted cedar trees all over the place a few decades ago
Lydia Leftcoast
Apr 2013
#76
The high temperatures used for roasting (800 F) in the US may modify proteins
FarCenter
Apr 2013
#12
Also, allergies are poorly understood anyway. I developed an egg allergy in adulthood and so stopped
Brickbat
Apr 2013
#14
I worked with a scientist once who was convinced that all people were allergic to at least two
Godhumor
Apr 2013
#70
How odd. Makes me wonder if peanut-allergy kids are correlated with peanut-obsessed parents?
reformist2
Apr 2013
#79