Health is Wealth | Allergies

Health is Wealth | AllergiesWELLNESS DATABASE: ALLERGIES

Allergies are often caused by poor nutrition or environmental factors. Allergies can be the result of vitamin deficiency.

Related: Vitamin D, Obesity, Antioxidants


RELATED STUDIES

OBESITY LINKED TO ALLERGIES IN CHILDREN
This study published in 2009 suggests that obesity may be a contributing factor in the prevalence of allergic reactions in children. Reducing obesity, then, may be a good way to prevent this chronic condition.

Background The prevalence of both obesity and allergic disease has increased among children over the last several decades. Previous literature on the relationship between obesity and allergic disease has been inconsistent. It is not known whether systemic inflammation could be a factor in this relationship.
Objective We sought to examine the association of obesity with total and allergen-specific IgE levels and allergy symptoms in US children and adolescents and to assess the role of C-reactive protein.
Methods National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2005-2006 included measurement of total and allergen-specific IgE levels and allergy questions. Overweight was defined as the 85th or greater to less than the 95th percentile of body mass index for age, and obesity was defined as the 95th percentile or greater. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the association of weight categories with total IgE levels, atopy, allergen-specific IgE levels, and allergy symptoms among youth aged 2 to 19 years.
Results Geometric mean total IgE levels were higher among obese (geometric mean ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.57) and overweight (ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54) children than among normal-weight children. The odds ratio (OR) for atopy (any positive specific IgE measurement) was increased in the obese children compared with that seen in those of normal weight; this association was driven largely by allergic sensitization to foods (OR for atopy, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.03-1.55]; OR for food sensitization, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.28-1.98]). C-reactive protein levels were associated with total IgE levels, atopy, and food sensitization.
Conclusions Obesity might be a contributor to the increased prevalence of allergic disease in children, particularly food allergy. Systemic inflammation might play a role in the development of allergic disease.

Read the results here: http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2809%2900115-8/abstract