Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

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Can probiotics be helpful for outgrowing peanut allergy? Are there any natural foods that help in outgrowing nut allergies and lowering IgE levels?
-Rashi

Yes, it is possible to outgrow a peanut allergy; roughly 20 percent of people with peanut allergies overcome them. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they try, some people are stuck with the allergy for life. That said, yes, taking probiotics can be helpful in our attempt to eliminate peanut (or any food) allergy. The theory is that if we heal our gut (gastrointestinal tract) and boost our immune systems, we increase our chances of reacting normally to foods (as opposed to being allergic to them). Probiotics help by balancing the healthy bacteria in our gut, which promotes healing and improved immune function.

IMPORTANT!! Most peanut allergy sufferers have dangerous reactions to peanuts (anaphylaxis). Therefore, it is essential that those with peanut allergies NOT try peanuts (even a teeny amount) to see if they are "still" allergic. The best way to test whether you're still allergic is to visit an allergist and get a blood test (do NOT opt for a skin prick test, as this can elicit an anaphylactic response).

My book, Food Allergy Survival Guide, includes more information on this topic, and contains over 150 vegan recipes designed for those with food allergies.

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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