Nutrition through the Lifespan

 The role of the immune system is to protect the body from germs and disease  A food allergy is an abnormal response by the immune system to a food protein  When the food is eaten, the immune system thinks the food is harmful and releases histamine and other chemicals to “attack” the enemy

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 There is no cure for food allergy  Complete and strict avoidance of the food is the only way to prevent a reaction

Risk Factors  Family history of asthma and allergies  Genetic predisposition to allergic disease  Elevated allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin level ◦ Test for IgE concentrations in blood.  Being younger than 3 years old

Eight foods cause 90% of the allergic reactions in the United States:  Milk  Peanuts  Eggs  Tree Nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans)  Wheat  Fish  Soy  Shellfish  FDA requires labeling of all of these…

 12 million Americans have food allergies  Over 3 million of them are under the age of 18

Trouble swallowing Shortness of breath Repetitive coughing Voice change Nausea & vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal cramping Drop in blood pressure Loss of consciousness Swelling Hives Eczema Itchy red rash

 A serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death  Each year in the U.S. anaphylaxis to food causes an estimated 50,000 to 125,000 emergency room visits, depending on the source  Individuals with food allergy plus asthma are at greatest risk for a serious reaction

Treatment  Avoid trigger food/beverage  Medications  Treat allergy symptoms, not allergy. ◦ Antihistamine ◦ Bronchodilator ◦ Epinephrine  There is no cure for food allergies and no way to prevent reactions when exposure occurs.

 Prompt administration of epinephrine is key to surviving anaphylaxis  Prescribed as auto-injectors (such as EpiPen ® or Twinject ® )

1. Food allergies are serious. Don’t make jokes about them. 2. Don’t share your food with friends who have food allergies. 3. Wash your hands after eating. 4. Ask what your friends are allergic to and help them avoid it. 5. If a friend with food allergies becomes ill, get help immediately!

Videos  CBS Report ◦  From a child’s perspective… ◦  How do teens cope? ◦

What is a Food Intolerance?  Defined ◦ Digestion system response to a substance  Physiological Response ◦ Body unable to properly digest or metabolize a substance  Types ◦ Substances  Food ◦ Chemical  Food dyes  Food additives

Common Food Intolerances  Dairy (lactose)  Beans (enzymes)  Carbohydrates (enzymes)  Gluten (Celiac disease)  Cruciferous vegetables (enzymes)

Symptoms and Treatment of Food Intolerances  Gastrointestinal ◦ Nausea ◦ Vomiting ◦ Abdominal pain/cramps ◦ Diarrhea ◦ Colic ◦ G as ◦ Cramps ◦ Bloating ◦ Heartburn  Psychological Reactions ◦ Headaches ◦ Irritability ◦ Nervousness  Treatment  Total avoidance of offending food/beverage  Medications ◦ Enzyme digestive aids

1. Food allergies can be cured with allergy shots. 2. Milk is a common food allergen. 3. It’s OK to test if a food is safe by licking it or taking a tiny bite. 4. If a friend is having an allergic reaction, it is acceptable to allow them to leave alone.

Quiz Answer the below questions in a complete sentence or write the question and the answer. 5. What is the main difference between a food allergy and an food intolerance? 6. List two symptoms of a food allergy and two symptoms of a food intolerance. 7. The FDA has identified ______ common food allergies. 8. Antihistamines are used to treat food intolerances or food allergies?

1. Food allergies can be cured with allergy shots. False: There is no cure for food allergies. Avoiding the food is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction. 2. Milk is a common food allergen. True: Milk is a common allergen. People who are allergic to milk must avoid cheese (pizza), ice cream, butter, yogurt, and all other foods that contain milk. 3. It’s OK to test if a food is safe by licking it or taking a tiny bite. False: Even a tiny lick or bite of a food can cause a reaction. People with food allergy must read the ingredient statement before eating a food. 4. If a friend is having an allergic reaction, it is acceptable to allow them to leave alone. False: Sometimes symptoms start out mild, and your friend might think it’s okay to go off alone. But, things can quickly get worse, so stick with your friend in case your help is needed.

Quiz Key 1. What is the main difference between a food allergy and an food intolerance? The main difference is a food allergy involves the immune system and a food intolerance does not involve the immune system. It involves the digestive system. 2. List two symptoms of a food allergy and two symptoms of a food intolerance. Answer will vary; consult list in presentation 3. The FDA has identified _8_ common food allergies. 4. Antihistamines are used to treat food intolerances or food allergies? Food allergies

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