Allergy elimination?

A technique for nut allergies

By Culinate staff

May 26, 2011

Food allergies have been on the rise for many years now, especially in the developed world. No one really knows why, although theories abound: climate change, excessive hygiene, toxic processed food.

Potential good news? Over the past few years, some studies have shown tolerance therapies — also known as oral immunotherapy or desensitization — to be somewhat effective.

How’s that? Well, as Kiera Butler recently reported for Mother Jones, the allergic are gradually dosed with greater amounts of the offending allergen — say, peanut protein. Over time, tolerance builds up. It’s not a new idea — and it doesn’t technically cure the allergy — but it can help.