Food allergies have seen a notable increase over the past 25 years, doubling their incidence and affecting a growing segment of the world’s population, a phenomenon of particular concern to the scientific community due to its impact on the child population. During the IVth Training Day for Journalists: Up-to-date scienceorganized by the PharmaMar Foundation In collaboration with the National Association of Health Informants (ANIS), Dr. María Gasset, researcher at Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC)highlighted how factors, such as changes in dietary habits and environmental effects, increase the incidence of these conditions.
“The introduction of processed and shelf-stable foods, as well as new food sources such as tropical fruits and certain types of fish, trigger new allergenic forms in the population,” explained the expert, who, added that 90% of food allergies are caused by proteins found in just nine foods: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, nuts, soy, wheat and sesame.
These proteins, called allergens, trigger mild symptoms or even severe anaphylactic reactions, which can be fatal if not treated in time. This increase in reactions toon appears to be linked to environmental factors and changes in the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in immune development.
One of the most important challenges in the field of food allergies is their diagnosis. The doctor stressed that the diagnosis always comes after exposure. The development of predictive methods and reliable reagents is therefore essential to improve early detection. Among the technological advances is the use of omics technologies expand the repertoire of oral immunotherapy tests and studies, in which allergens are administered in controlled doses to reduce sensitivity. This therapy, although promising, may require hospitalization in certain serious cases.
He also explained gene editing efforts through CRISPR technique, which allows the modification of allergens present in foods such as peanuts or certain fish, as well as the research of vaccines against specific allergies. These innovations could revolutionize the lives of millions of allergy sufferers in the future, although implementation of these treatments remains limited globally due to lack of approval of reagents and differences in food labeling. . Beyond clinical aspects, food allergies also affect patients’ daily lives. In his speech, Marie Gasset highlighted the emotional and social impact of living with these conditions, which limit daily activities and generate anxiety in many cases. Adolescence, for example, is a high-risk stage because personal attention may slacken, increasing the risk of accidental exposure. In response to these challenges, technology applications are emerging to guide people in purchasing safe foods and finding restaurants that properly manage allergens.
From the PharmaMar Foundationorganizer of this day, underlined the importance of responsible and precise dissemination in the field of health, particularly on questions of food allergies.
Also in this sense, in front of the journalists summoned by ANIS, Gasset concluded his intervention with a message of awareness and cooperation, emphasizing that it is necessary to educate society on the risks and possible consequences of food allergies. “These efforts, both in the scientific and communication fields, are essential to confront a problem that continues to grow and which affects the quality of life of millions of people around the world,” he expressed.
