Genetics of Food Allergy and Intolerance

[harvest_table]

The Future of Genetic Testing in Pollen and Food Allergies

In the future such testing should be very helpful in evaluating suspected food allergies, intolerance and pollen allergies. In the meantime those of us interested in this interesting story anxiously await more research findings in this exciting area. Dr. Fine, founder of Enterolab, has previously published the HLA DQ patterns associated with microscopic colitis. He has found that microscopic changes in the colon or large intestine are similar if not identical to what is seen in the small intestine in celiac disease. Several articles now document that a gluten free diet works in many people with microscopic, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. It also helps many with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

A finding of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the distal small intestine (terminal ileum) is associated with an increased incidence of celiac disease in the proximal small intestine. Now, adding to the intrigue, are these articles linking certain inherited white blood cell protein gene patterns to pollen allergy and food allergy cross reactions that are well recognized but rarely pursued clinically. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also called the "burning mouth syndrome", occurs in many people but frequently goes undiagnosed. Symptoms include burning, painful and/or itching sensation of mouth or throat with or without swelling that occurs almost immediately after eating certain foods. The foods causing these reactions are commonly associated with pollen, latex or dust allergies.

More here
http://ezinearticles.com/?Genetics-of-F ... &id=301254

[tex]

Hi Joanna,

Thanks for posting that link - another very interesting article by Dr. Lewey. These are the parts of that article that I found to be the most interesting, (because they apply to me - One of my genes is HLA-DQB1*0501).

The relationship between seasonal and perennial nasal allergies and food allergies is certainly well established but not generally known by most doctors or patients. It appears that some of us need to avoid eating certain foods if we have hay fever or allergies, especially during the hay fever season. This problem also appears to be inherited.

Before I achieved remission, my hay fever seemed to be put on hold for several years, but now it is back again, and I find that I now seem to react to one or two new types of pollen, (in the spring - years ago, I was symptom-free in the spring).

Tree Pollen Allergy to Birch Tree Pollen Appears to be Worst

Birch pollen associated hazel nut allergy is linked to HLA-DRB1*01, DQA1*0101, and DQB1*0501. Hazel nut, almond, walnut and apple are the most common food allergies associated with birch tree pollen. Allergies to those foods are commonly associated with birch tree pollen in other studies.

Evidently, I'm susceptible to an allergic reaction to birch pollen, but since there are no birch trees where I live, that allergy may never develop. At any rate, I don't seem to be sensitive to almond, walnut, and/or apple, as a food intolerance, (I have no idea whether or not I might be sensitive to hazel nuts, since I've never eaten any, to my knowledge).

Unusual Association of Pollen Allergies and Mouth Burning or Food Reactions

This unusual association of tree, grass, and weed pollens, latex and house dust mite allergies to food reactions, though well documented in the medical literature, is not commonly recognized by doctors or patients. The OAS literature contains numerous reports of food allergy or intolerance reactions that are associated with specific pollen, dust, mold or latex allergies. One of the best examples is ragweed pollen allergy. It is associated with a higher risk of food allergy or intolerance to only a few foods. These include foods in the gourd family (cucumbers and melons) and bananas. On other the hand, Birch tree pollen allergy is associated with sensitivity to many foods. The list includes those foods in the Rosacea family (apples, pears), tree nut family (hazelnut, almond, walnut), potatoes, and carrots. Reactions include classic allergic reactions such as skin rashes (atopic dermatitis, hives), wheezing (asthma), runny nose (allergic rhinitis), as well as the burning mouth OAS symptoms and other food intolerance symptoms.

About 30 years before I ever noticed any GI symptoms suggestive of MC, I developed a "burning mouth" allergy to Scope mouthwash. Hmmmmm. I wonder if that could have been the first ominous sign that something sinister might lie ahead. Before my gut healed, after gaining remission, I was extremely intolerant of melons, (and probably all of the gourd family, but melons were the only "gourds" that I tried, at the time). I also reacted to bananas, though not quite as severely. That makes sense, since I'm very allergic to ragweed pollen. I can eat bananas now, without any problems, but I never have gotten up the nerve to try melons, again.

Polly, Gloria, Courtney, Celia, Alice, CAMary, and Kimberly also share that "DQB1*0501 gene, meaning that they could be predisposed to a birch pollen allergy, and this could be another potential avenue for multiple food allergies. Apparently, at least a few of us with that gene have not become sensitized to birch pollen, because we don't have a high number of food intolerances. I'm wondering, though, if Polly, Gloria, Kimberly, and Celia might be allergic to birch pollen. This could be a part of the equation that defines the Double DQ1 mystique. I'm not sure which category would apply to Courtney, at this point.

I note that I had fairly regular D during most of ragweed season, this fall, but now that the ragweed is gone - no more D. Hmmmmmm. It wasn't secretory D, of course, but it was way short of being a normal, formed stool. We've often talked about a possible seasonal effect, and this sure adds substance to those suspicions.

Very interesting article.

Thanks,
Tex

P S I'm going to move this thread to the Main Message Board, so that everyone will have a chance to see it, and then I'll try to remember to move it back here, (to Current Research), after that. I'd like to see if anyone else has any comments on any connections that they may have noticed.

[kimpatt]

I don't know that I have much to add, but I have noticed dramatically increasing allergy symptoms each year since 2006. I don't know what allergy season they coincide with. Once, my symptoms were in May (Florida); then again in early spring (also in Florida). Most recently from Halloween to just last week (in NC, now), I had severe congestion, hoarseness, sneezing, itchy eyes, etc. I couldn't breathe through my nose for weeks at a time. This never did pass on its own, and I ended up with an infection, and then, antibiotics.

I do seem to notice at least a loose link between those allergy symptoms and GI problems. But, its hard to say if the GI problems are my MC symptoms or the suspected Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis...

[tex]

Kimberley,

You obviously have some major allergy issues. The early spring reaction would just about have to be due to tree pollen. A lot of grasses bloom around the month of May. I can't think of anything that produces pollen in November and early December, so that reaction would just about have to be due to molds, unless I'm overlooking something.

You're right, of course - when you have multiple issues, it's tough to tell what causes what, in many instances.

Tex

[Lucy]

Hi there,

When I was stationed at Sheppherd AF Base up north in the Texas Panhandle (which should be annexed by Kansas!) I was out marching the second and third weeks of November. I had driven up there from the Gulf on a nice, sunny, warm Sunday the entire drive, only to awaken the next morning to an artic blast with a major drop in temperature over night that stayed the entire first work week. I immediately began having all the usual respiratory symptoms and feeling sick as a dog. (Try standing at attention during an inspection of your new uniform in a howling wind with your nose running like a fosset!) The symptoms didn't go away until I woke up the next Saturday to another bright, warm, sunny day and it was the same on that Sunday -- I felt great again, just like that!

Went to bed that Sunday night, only to have the exact same thing happen over night, and Monday through the rest of that week, I was sick as a dog, just like the last week had been. I'm convinced that whatever blows into that area is something I'm extremely allergic to. Just glad not too much of it makes it down to the coast where I am now!

I remember the sargeant in charge of our indoor sessions saying that there was "nothing between there and the North Pole but a 'baarbed waar fence!" (that's the best I can do typing the accent, but if you like, I can do it pretty good in person! Ha!)

Good luck with the environmental allergens -- don't you just hate it when that happens?

Yours, Luce

[tex]

Luce,

FWIW, I agree with you that the Panhandle should be a part of Kansas - it's definitely alien to the rest of Texas.

That's an interesting description of an allergic reaction, that doesn't leave much doubt about it's authenticity. I wish I knew what the heck the allergen could have been. The middle of November is long past the first killing freeze date for that part of the country.

Tex