New research shows that introducing eggs and peanut butter to babies early can help prevent allergies. This flies in the face of past advice that suggested waiting until children turned one.
A study from the University of Western Australia looked at two groups of kids: 506 whose parents received no specific feeding advice and 566 whose parents were told to offer eggs and peanut butter starting at six months. The results were striking. In the second group, allergy rates dropped significantly. Egg allergies went from 12% to 3%, and peanut allergies decreased from about 6% to just 1%.
Interestingly, this early introduction also showed a slight impact on cow’s milk allergies, though the changes weren’t as pronounced. These findings align with updated guidelines from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), which now recommend starting these foods around six months of age.
Summer Walker, a health scientist involved in the study, emphasized the importance of sharing these updated recommendations. “If health professionals spread the word more effectively, we could greatly reduce the number of food allergies in children,” she noted.
Despite progress, it’s important to remember that allergies can still develop, and researchers only tracked these infants up to 12 months. The study focused on babies who already had a close relative with food allergies, which is common since such allergies often run in families.
Recent data indicate that food allergies in children are rising, highlighting the need to understand the relationship between diet and immune responses better. This study provides strong evidence that following the new guidelines can make a difference, even for families with a history of allergies.
Debbie Palmer, a research dietitian, pointed out that many parents remain unsure about when to introduce allergens, especially those with allergy histories. Clear communication about these guidelines is vital for reducing confusion and improving children’s health.
You can read more about these findings in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.
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