The Major 8 Allergens

Lactose vs. Cow’s Milk

Lactose intolerance is a prevalent impairment affecting approximately 65 percent of the human population after infancy. Lactose intolerance is most common in eastern Asia as well as people of West African, Arab, Jewish, Greek, and Italian descent. This intolerance is caused in infants by a mutation in the LCT gene, which provides instructions tot he body on how to produce the lactase enzyme. The type of lactose intolerance that occurs in infants is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This means that both parents carry the gene but are not affected by intolerance. ^[1] This disease is also referred to as alactasia, dairy product intolerance, hypolactasia, lactose malabsorption, and milk sugar intolerance. However, lactose intolerance is different than an allergy to cow’s milk. “The estimated prevalence of cow's milk allergy (CMA) varies between 0.25% and 4.9%, being higher in children than adults.” This allergy stems from reactions caused by one or more milk proteins. Consumption of cow’s milk when allergic can cause gastrointestinal irritation. ^[2] 

Approximately 2 percent of children are affected by allergic reactions to eggs. The silver lining to this is that around 70 percent of children with an egg allergy will overcome it by the age of 16. Avoiding eggs in your diet is the most effective way to cut out the possibility of triggering a reaction. This can be difficult because eggs are often hidden in many everyday foods without even knowing. “Egg is one of eight allergens with specific labeling requirements under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.” ^[3] 

Tree nut allergy affects roughly 0.5 to 1% of the U.S. population. Tree nut allergies are usually studied to be lifelong and are outgrown by approximately 10% of people. Almost a third of those allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts. However, that does not mean that everyone allergic to tree nuts is allergic to peanuts. “Individuals with a tree nut allergy can also typically consume seeds without difficulties, such as sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin. They also usually tolerate macadamia nut and pine nut, which are also both seeds.” The most effective way to combat a tree nut allergy like most others is to completely cut it out of your diet to eliminate any risk. It is also essential to know what foods contain tree nuts to protect yourself best. ^[4] 

During a study from 1997-2008, the number of peanut allergies more than tripled from about 0.4% to 1.4%. Another study in 2011 submitted that as many as 2% of children might have a peanut allergy. Only around 20% of children with a peanut allergy may outgrow their allergy. 6.1 million Americans reported from 2018-2019 that they are allergic to peanuts and show symptoms because of the nuts. The prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergies more than tripled between 1997 and 2008. Peanut allergies can be triggered in different ways for all different people. This ranges from needing to eat peanuts to trigger a reaction to being in the same room as it. ^[5] 

The approximate prevalence of shellfish allergy is around 0.5-2.5% of the total population. The level of severity associated with the allergy varies by case. Tropomyosin is the primary allergen and is very common among the Crustacea. “Subtle differences in the structures of tropomyosin between different species of shellfish could account for the discrepancy between in vitro cross-antigenicity and clinical cross-allergenicity.” The only real way to deal with a shellfish allergy is to avoid it altogether. Some people may be triggered by tasting or even just smelling shellfish. There are no known treatments for Shellfish which is why avoiding it is crucial. ^[6] 

A recent study showed that 0.5 – 9% of the world population experience allergic reactions due to wheat. A more local study showed that a doctor had diagnosed 0.4% of US adults as having an allergy to wheat. The occurrence of wheat allergy is frequent amongst children in the US, ranging from 0.4% to 1.0% of the population. “Most children “grow out of” or have their wheat allergy resolve over time with 29% resolution at age four and up to 65% by age twelve.” Celiac Disease can also affect your ability to consume wheat. Celiac disease affects 1% of Americans or about 3 million people. Approximately 97% of them are undiagnosed. ^[7] 

It has a prevalence of about 0.3% in the general population. Soy allergy is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may contain soy ingredients. The easiest and most effective way to avoid soy when allergic is to cut it out of your diet completely. Soy can be found in foods that you would not initially think. It is essential to know the ingredients before consuming any food or beverage. Many people choose to drink soy milk if they are lactose intolerant or are looking for a healthier alternative to standard cows milk. ^[8] 

Approximately 1% of the population is allergic to finned fish. It is more common in adults as compared to children. However, children with finned fish allergy typically deal with it their whole life. Moreover, 40-60% of the time, the allergy is developed during adulthood. If this allergy is developed during adulthood, it is improbable that it will be resolved at any point. “Since the allergenic protein (parvalbumin) in finned fish is similar regardless of the type of fish, greater than half of the individuals who are allergic to finned fish are allergic to more than one type of fish.” Any type of fish has the ability to trigger some kind of allergic reaction, but the most common cases are found related to salmon, tuna, and halibut. ^[9]