Background
True food allergy is an immune system-mediated response to the foods we ingest. Symptoms may include reactions in skin, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and oral tissues. In the most serious cases, which are most often associated with peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish, symptoms may include difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis. Reactions generally occur within minutes to hours. Food allergy should be distinguished from food intolerance, which may present similar symptoms, but is not an immunological reaction.
Incidence and Prevalence
Many Americans believe they have food allergies, while in reality fewer than 1% of adults and 3% of children have true allergies. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the prevalence of food allergy is increasing. Food allergy causes roughly 30,000 episodes of anaphylaxis and 100 to 200 deaths per year in the United States alone.
Cause and Risk Factors
Food allergies occur as responses to food proteins we have eaten. After the immune system has become sensitized to certain food proteins, the IgE antibodies specific for those food proteins stick to cells, called Mast Cells, found in the lining of the intestinal wall. When that food protein is eaten again, the IgE binds to the protein and causes the Mast cell to release a number of chemicals into the blood stream. These chemicals, including histamine cause swelling of the intestinal wall, loss of fluids, and normal intestinal motion, resulting in diarrhea. Food allergies deserve immediate attention and diagnosis, as any allergic reaction to food could cause an anaphylactic shock with fatal consequences.
List of Allergens
Almond
Alpha-Lactalbumin
Anchovy
Aniseed
Apple
Apricot
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Baker's Yeast
Baking Aid
Bamboo Shoot
Banana
Barley
Basil
Bay Leaf (Laurel)
Bean Herb
Beef
Beet, Sugar
Beetroot
Beta-Lactoglobulin
Bing Cherry
Black Bass
Black Currant
Black Olive
Black Pepper
Blackberry
Black-Eyed Pea
Blueberry
Borecole
Bran
Brazil Nut
Brewer's Yeast
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Buckwheat
Butter
Cabbage
Cabbage Mix
Camembert Cheese
Cane Sugar
Cantaloupe
Cardamom
Carob Bean Flour
Carp
Carrot
Casein
Cashew Nut
Castor Bean Oil
Catfish
Cauliflower
Cauliflower (Boiled)
Caviar
Cayenne Pepper
Celery
Chamomile Tea
Cheese, American (Defatted)
Chervil
Chicken
Chickpea
Chicory
Chili Pepper
Chinese Cabbage
Chocolate/Cocoa
Cinnamon
Clam
Cloves
Coconut
Coconut, Dessicated
Cod
Coffee
Coriander
Corn (Flour)
Corn (Vegetables)
Cottonseed
Cow Milk
Crab
Cranberry
Crayfish
Cress
Cucumber
Cumin
Date
Deer
Dill
Duck
Edam Cheese
Eel
Egg White
Egg Yolk
Egg, Whole
Eggplant/Aubergine
Ewe's Cheese
Ewe's Milk
Fennel (Fresh)
Fig
Filbert (Hazelnut)
Flaxseed (Bruised Grain)
Flounder
Flour of Guar Kernel
Garlic
Gelatin
Giant Radish
Ginger
Gluten
Goat Milk
Goat's Cheese
Goose
Gooseberry
Gouda Cheese
Grape
Grapefruit
Green Bean
Green Bell Pepper
Green Olive
Green Pea
Groats
Guava
Haddock
Halibut
Herring
Honey
Hops
Horse
Horseradish
Juniper Berry
Karaya Gum
Kefir
Kidney Bean (Red Bean)
Kiwi
Kohlrabi
Lamb
Leek
Lemon
Lentil
Lettuce
Lima Bean
Lime
Lobster
Lovage
Macadamia Nut
Mackerel
Mackerel (Jack)
Malt
Mango
Maple Syrup
Maracuja
Marjoram
Melon, Honeydew
Milk (Boiled)
Millet
Mint
Morello Cherry
Mother's Milk
Mushroom
Mussel
Mustard
Nectarine
Nutmeg
Oat
Octopus
Okra
Onion
Orange
Oregano
Ovalbumin
Ovomucoid
Oyster
Oyster Mushroom
Papaya
Paprika
Parmesan Cheese
Parsley
Peach
Peanut
Pear
Pecan Nut
Pepper (White)
Pepper, Green
Peppermint Herbs
Peppermint Tea
Perch (Rose Fish)
Pickled Cabbage
Pine Nut
Pineapple
Pinto Bean
Pistachio Nut
Plaice
Plum
Poppy
Pork
Potato Powder
Potato, White
Rabbit
Radish
Raisin
Raspberry
Red Beet
Red Currant
Red Pepper (Food)
Red Snapper
Rice
Roquefort Cheese
Rosemary
Rye
Saffron
Sage
Sago
Salmon
Sardine
Savoy
Scallop
Sesame Seed (Bruised Grain)
Sheep Sorrel (Vinegar Plant)
Shrimp
Snail
Sole
Soy Milk
Soybean
Spelt
Spinach
Spiny Lobster
Squid
Strawberry
Summer Squash
Sunflower Seed
Sweet Chestnut
Sweet Potato
Swordfish
Tangerine
Tarragon
Tea
Thyme
Tomato
Trout
Tuna
Turkey
Untreated Native Milk
Vanilla
Venison
Walnut
Watermelon
Wheat
Whey
White Bean
Whitefish
Wild Boar
Wine Vinegar
Wine Yeast
Wine, Red
Wine, White
Yogurt
Zucchini
