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Preventing Allergies in Adulthood

The longest running study on vegetarians suggests that those eating plant-based diets have lower rates of chemical, drug, and environmental allergies.

January 2, 2012 |
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Preventing Allergies in Adulthood, 5.0 out of 5 based on 2 ratings

Sources Cited

Saito K, Yokoyama T, Miyake Y, Sasaki S, Tanaka K, Ohya Y, Hirota Y. Maternal meat and fat consumption during pregnancy and suspected atopic eczema in Japanese infants aged 3-4 months: the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010 Feb;21(1 Pt 1):38-46. Epub 2009 Jun 23.

Gorczyca D, Paściak M, Szponar B, Gamian A, Jankowski A. An impact of the diet on serum fatty acid and lipid profiles in Polish vegetarian children and children with allergy. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Feb;65(2):191-5. Epub 2010 Nov 3.

Knutsen SF. Lifestyle and the use of health services. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994 May;59(5 Suppl):1171S-1175S.

Acknowledgements

Image thanks to Jeff Werner

Transcript

So during pregnancy, cutting down on meat consumption may decrease the risk of allergic diseases, but what about after children are born? Well, a preliminary study in Poland recently of vegetarian children suggested the benefits of meat restriction may continue after birth, concluding that some elements of a vegetarian diet may promote protection against allergy.

And indeed, according to the longest running study in history comparing vegetarians to non-vegetarians, women who eat meat appear to have a 30% greater chance of reporting chemical allergies, 24% more asthma, 17% more drug allergies and bee-sting allergies, and 15% more hay fever, though in men, meat eaters just had significantly greater chance of chemical and drug allergies. Now this was cross-sectional data, meaning this was just a slice in time, so we don’t know necessarily which came first.

Yes, eating vegetarian was associated with significantly fewer allergies, but maybe people suffering from allergies are more likely to start eating healthy hoping it will make them feel better. Still, after adjusting for other factors like smoking, the findings do suggest a favorable effect of a plant-based diet on the prevalence of allergies.

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by MaryAnn Allison.

To help out on the site please email <a
href= “mailto:volunteer@nutritionfacts.org” >volunteer@nutritionfacts.org

Dr. Michael Greger

Doctor's Note

Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. Check out the other videos which address allergies. And there are 1,449 subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them!

For some context see my blog posts: Plant-based Benefits Extend Beyond the Top Killers and Treating Crohn’s Disease With Diet.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/mgreger/ Michael Greger M.D.

    Please feel free to post any ask-the-doctor type questions here in the comments section and I’d be happy to try to answer them. Check out the other videos which address allergies. And there are 1,449 subjects covered in the rest of my videos–please feel free to explore them!

    For some context see my blog post Plant-based Benefits Extend Beyond the Top Killers,

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/gmteeter/ gmteeter

    Hello, Dr. Greger,
    I recently had blood work and skin allergy testing done. The blood work came back normal, but the skin testing revealed strong allergies to all trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites, and also strong reactions to most healthy foods. I was a vegetarian for 12 years, then ate meat for 20 years, went back to a vegetarian diet 3 years ago, and am a recent vegan. My diet consists of legumes, vegetables, fruits and whole grains; the only sweets I have are 1 or 2 cookies occasionally. I’m in menopause, with hot flashes, and have the worst case of eczema I’ve had, going on 4 months, which I’ve been prone to since birth. What can I do to ensure I’m getting proper nutrition? Thank you.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/gmteeter/ gmteeter

    I forgot to point out that since I had reactions to most healthy foods, I’m nervous about anything I eat, and wonder if I’m capable of absorbing nutrients from them. Sorry for the long post!

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/aguccionesbcglobal-net/ aguccione@sbcglobal.net

    Hi gmteeter, Sounds frustrating to think you’re doing all you can to prevent these symptoms yet they persist. You didn’t list roots, tofu and soy products… which have been associated with decreased menopausal symptoms. Do you get plenty of water (1/2 your weight in ounces), do you get regular exercise…and how is your stress level? Are you optimizing the amount of melatonin you’re getting by going to bed before midnight? Follow a low-fat plant-base diet and check the above list for imbalances, then give your body time to kick-in! Enjoy life!

    • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/gmteeter/ gmteeter

      AGuccione, thanks for your input. I do use soy milk and tofu fairly regularly and root veggies sometimes, and follow a low-fat plant based diet, and I’m working on being more consistent with my water intake. I’ve read about health and nutrition for years and most recently read and followed Dr. Barnard’s 21-day weight loss kickstart program. A doctor told me my body is in a constant state of stress because I stay up late, so I have to correct that. What I’m worried about most is the skin allergy test showed strong reactions to most plant foods, and when you have a reaction to something, even though it’s healthy, it’s not healthy for you because your body identifies it as an unwelcome foreign invader which can cause symptoms like my eczema, inflammation, or possibly something worse. I’m afraid if I keep eating the healthy foods I reacted to, I might get really sick. And since there were so many, an elimination diet would be nearly impossible. So I’m at a loss. I don’t know if continuing to eat healthy foods, even though they’re not healthy for me, is perpetuating the eczema and hot flashes. I’m hoping that if I get better quality sleep, maybe my allergies will wane.

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/veggiechick/ veggiechick

    What would you recommend for nasal allergies? Hubby and I are both on a plant based diet and our allergies are better since going vegan, but it’s spring & it’s bad this year already lol.

    • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/toxins/ Toxins

      I have heard personal anecdotes of some friends of mine eliminating gluten from their diet and their allergies disappearing. This might be a good experiment to see if it works for you. But again, i don’t know of any scientific evidence supporting this.

    • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/mgreger/ Michael Greger M.D.

      Oh, I’m so sorry you’re suffering! There was a new study published last week on diet and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (runny nose/itchy eyes) that confirmed that meat is associated with increased risk (in this case 71% higher), but that’s no help to a couple vegans! There are four plant foods, however, associated with cutting one’s risk in approximately half:
      1. Seaweed. An ounce of sea vegetables appears to lower risk 49%–just make sure to avoid kelp and hijiki.
      2. Dark green leafy vegetables. Greens of the land may protect as much as greens from the sea. A study found that those with the highest level of total carotenoids in their blood stream (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin and cryptoxanthin) had a significantly lower prevalence of seasonal allergies. See my video Egg Industry Blind Spot for a list of some of the best sources and Raw Food Nutrient Absorption and Forgo Fat Free Dressings? for the best ways to boost bioavailability.
      3. Flax seeds. Similar to the carotenoid finding, those with higher levels of both long and short chain omega-3 fatty acids in their blood stream were found to have less allergic rhinitis in a cross-sectional study.
      4. Miso. A teaspoon of miso a day was associated with about 41% lower prevalence. So try my favorite dressing on those greens: Blend until smooth in high-speed blender 3 T white miso. 1/4 cup brown rice wine vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 2 carrots, a small beet, an inch of fresh ginger root, and 1 T freshly toasted sesame seeds. Just watch your clothing as it comes out BRIGHT purple!

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/gmteeter/ gmteeter

    Dr. Greger, my allergies manifest in the skin. About 80% of my body is covered in an extremely itchy rash. The skin on my face is thick and constantly flaking, including my eyelids, and it’s made my eyes puffy as well. Will these four foods help the itching and rash and calm down the inflammation? Thanks.

    • Mary Jurmain

      Have you checked ingredients in your bath products — skin creams, makeup, etc. (if you’re female — sorry, can’t tell from your name!)
      Sometimes innocuous lotions, also kitchen cleaning products, laundry detergents, can have toxic ingredients.  

  • http://nutritionfacts.org/members/veggiechick/ veggiechick

    Oh thank you Dr. Greger you are a gem!

  • A L Zacchino

    Okay, so I’ve been vegan and plant based for 6 years and yet I am now starting to have seasonal allergies. Any suggestions for treatment?

  • Nelson Drake

    Hey good Doc – thank you for all your information – i pass it along to as many people as possible, especially those with children, but as the tomato effect, chaging from the status quo is unfathomable…

    where can i get detailed information on canadian beef, milk and other such as your site but that deal with canadian policy?
    Thank you

  • Marlene

    Hi Dr. Greger,
    I have Parkinson’s Disease and take a drug called Azilect, an m-a inhibitor. Although I am experiencing peak level allergy symptoms at the moment (dry, scratchy throat, runny nose, sneezing), I cannot take standard allergy medication for relief of the symptoms because I take Azilect. Do you have any recommendations for what I might feasibly do?

    Gratefully.
    Marlene

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