Food Allergies Series "1": Why Didn’t Your Grandparents Have Them?

Did it ever cross your mind that your grandparents didn’t have food allergies—or at least not as commonly as you and your children do today?

🤧 What Are Allergies?

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances, leading to symptoms like:

• 🌡️ Swelling

• 🥴 Rashes

• 😵‍💫 Runny nose & red eyes

• 🫁 Shortness of breath

Though allergic reactions have existed for centuries—described in ancient texts from China, Rome, Egypt, and Greece—the modern rise in frequency and severity is alarming.

🧪 Key Scientific Discoveries

🔬 Mast Cells (1950s)

Mast cell releases histamine in response to allergens

Mast cells:

• Are found in skin, blood vessels, and lungs

• Contain granules filled with chemicals like histamine

• Release histamines in response to allergens

🧫 Immunoglobulin E (IgE) (1960s)

• Mast cells have Immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptors, specifically high-affinity receptors known as FcεRI (Fc epsilon RI)

• The IgE receptors play a central role in allergic reactions

• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the primary antibody responsible for most allergic reactions

• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) activates mast cells to release histamine when allergens are detected

🔬 Function of IgE Receptors on Mast Cells:

1. Binding of IgE

• Mast cells express FcεRI receptors on their surface.

• These receptors bind the Fc region (constant portion) of IgE antibodies.

• IgE binds to the receptor even without allergen exposure, and remains attached, effectively "arming" the mast cell.

2. Sensitization Phase

• When a person first encounters an allergen (like peanuts or pollen), their immune system may produce IgE specific to that allergen.

• This IgE binds to FcεRI on mast cells, sensitizing them to future exposure.

3. Allergen Re-exposure

• Upon subsequent exposure to the same allergen, the allergen cross-links two or more IgE molecules on the mast cell surface.

• This cross-linking acts as a signal, triggering the mast cell to degranulate.

4. Degranulation & Immune Response

• Mast cells release inflammatory mediators like:

  • Histamine – causes itching, swelling, and increased mucus

  • Leukotrienes and prostaglandins – contribute to bronchoconstriction and other symptoms

  • Cytokines – recruit other immune cells

• This leads to the immediate allergic reaction (e.g., hives, sneezing, asthma, or anaphylaxis).

🧠 Summary:

• FcεRI receptors on mast cells bind IgE, preparing the cell to detect specific allergens.

• When allergens cross-link the bound IgE, mast cells rapidly release pro-inflammatory chemicals, causing allergic symptoms.

• This mechanism is central to type I hypersensitivity reactions (i.e., classic allergies).

📉 The Alarming Rise in Allergies

• 

  Since 2011, the rise in childhood food allergies has become increasingly steep and alarming.

  🏥 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.

• 💸 Costs the U.S. $18 billion/year

• 🚨 200,000+ ER visits annually due to food allergies

• ⏱️ That’s one emergency visit every 3 minutes

📈 A CDC study in 2013 showed a 50% increase in childhood food allergies between 1997 and 2011.

📈 Yet, since 2011, the rise in childhood food allergies has become increasingly steep and alarming.

🥛 What Actually Happened in the 1990s?

According to Dr. Mercola, the rise in milk allergies started when:

• 🧬 The dairy industry introduced rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) to boost milk production

• 🧫 Sick cows were then treated with antibiotics, leading to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in consumers
  

🧪 What’s Really in Our Food Today?

Processed foods often contain:

• 🎨 Food coloring

• 🍬 Artificial flavors

• 🧴 Preservatives

• 🧪 Chemical additives

But worse, since the mid-1990s, genetically engineered proteins have been introduced into our food supply—with no human safety trials.

👵🏼 So Why Didn’t Your Grandparents Have Food Allergies?

Life was different—simpler and cleaner:

• 🤱 Babies were breastfed, not formula-fed

• 🥬 Food was fresh, local, and chemical-free

• 🐄 Meat came from pasture-raised animals, not hormone-injected livestock

• 🚴 Kids played outdoors, not on screens

• 🍲 Meals were homemade from scratch

• 🛌 Fevers were rested out, not instantly medicated

• 🍗 Food was medicine (bone broth, herbal teas, rest)

🧠 Diet and Lifestyle Matter

Every cell in your body requires proper nutrition to function. Poor diet and sedentary lifestyle can:

• 🧯 Cause inflammation

• 💨 Lead to food sensitivities

• ⚖️ Result in bloating and obesity

🚨 Where Do We Go From Here?

Food allergies are complex and still not fully understood. We’ve made some progress in:

• 💉 Immunotherapy

• 💊 Symptom management

But:❗ There is no cure.❗ Avoidance remains the only sure defense.

📚 Coming Next:

👉 What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?

Stay tuned for our next blog post!

Our meals are prepared in a commercial kitchen that handles eggs, dairy, nuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and shellfish. Please notify us about your food allergies so that we can adjust your meals accordingly.

🥗 We’ve Got Your Back at Comfort Keto

Gourmet COMFORT KETO meals are tailored with food sensitivities in mind.

Just tell us about your allergies when ordering—we’ll do the rest!

✅ Clean ingredients

✅ Allergen-conscious

✅ Delicious & safe

Order by Wednesday noon; delivery next Friday/Saturday