A notable rise in food allergies among adults has prompted experts to investigate potential causes. Recent research indicates that nearly 50% of adults develop at least one food allergy in adulthood. This alarming trend has brought attention to factors such as gut health imbalances and the effects of modern dietary habits and antibiotic use.
Health officials and researchers are particularly concerned about the common triggers of these allergies, which include seafood, shellfish, and tree nuts. The Food and Allergy Fund (FAF), led by founder and CEO Illana Golant, hosted a forum in Washington, D.C., last week to discuss these issues. The event featured prominent figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Martin Makary, Chief of the Food and Drug Administration, and Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health.
Experts are exploring the relationship between gut microbiomes and the onset of allergies. In an interview, Makary highlighted that the human gut hosts over a billion bacterial types that typically exist in balance. He noted, “But when it’s altered by the modern-day diet and by antibiotics and other exposures… that disequilibrium can cause inflammation health problems, and it may be implicated in food allergies.”
Golant emphasized a “critical inflection point,” where certain foods trigger allergic reactions more frequently in adults compared to children. She pointed out that shellfish has become the leading allergen among adults, a finding supported by a 2018 survey published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, which examined over 40,000 individuals.
The increase in adult food allergies has raised questions about genetic factors and environmental influences. Golant remarked, “Genetics can’t change so quickly. In a generation, food allergies have skyrocketed.” Approximately one in ten adults is affected by food allergies, according to information from FAF.
Experts warn that a combination of environmental triggers may be contributing to this surge. Golant stated, “It’s very much the perfect storm of a variety of environmental triggers. We still don’t know which ones and if there is one primary, but my guess is that more likely, it is a perfect storm.”
The rise in adult-onset allergies represents a significant public health concern, as many individuals may not recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic reactions. Golant recounted her own experience: “If I didn’t know about food allergies, I would have thought I was having a heart attack.”
As research continues, health officials aim to better understand the complex interplay between dietary habits, gut health, and the increasing prevalence of food allergies among adults. The findings from ongoing studies may provide crucial insights into prevention and management of these conditions, ultimately improving the quality of life for those affected.
