Food allergies could be linked to gut bacteria, health officials say
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With more than 32 million Americans suffering from food allergies, health advocates and officials are looking for the root cause, which includes studying microbiomes.
The Food Allergy Fund (FAF) hosted a forum Monday in Washington, DC, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, FDA Chief Martin Makary, and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Makary explained how the function of microbiomes has evolved over time.
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The gut is home to more than a billion different types of bacteria, which normally live in balance, according to Makary.
The doctor added: “But when altered by the modern diet, by antibiotics and other exposures…this imbalance can cause inflammation, health problems and may be involved in food allergies.” »
“Gut health is at the heart of overall health,” said Makary, photographed at a Nov. 16 forum hosted by the Food Allergy Fund. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News Digital)
“Gut health is essential to overall health,” Makary emphasized. Some beneficial microbes may be missing in modern populations due to dietary and environmental changes, which could play a role in increasing food allergies, he added.
Researchers at Siolta Therapeutics are testing this theory. Their oral microbiome therapy, STMC-103H, showed promising results in a phase 2 trial involving 238 newborns with a family history of allergies.
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Early data suggests the therapy could reduce the risk of developing food allergies by 77%, indicating that improving gut bacteria early in life could prevent allergies before they arise.
The final results are expected in early 2026.
Early data suggests the therapy could reduce the risk of developing food allergies by 77%, indicating that improving gut bacteria early in life could prevent allergies before they arise. (iStock)
Ilana Golant, founder and CEO of FAF, told Fox News Digital that “food allergies could be the canary in the coal mine of a much larger microbiome-related health crisis.”
FAF launched its Food Allergy Fund Microbiome Collective in New York to further study how gut bacteria could help prevent or treat not only allergies, but also autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
“Gut health is essential to overall health.”
“Solving allergies could reveal how to prevent and treat a range of diseases – from autoimmune diseases to neurodegeneration – that affect millions of lives,” Golant said.
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Food allergies are widespread, affecting one in 10 adults and one in 13 children, according to the FAF. Every three minutes in the United States, someone is treated in the emergency room for a serious allergic reaction.
Peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies in the United States, and new research shows that introducing peanuts early could significantly reduce childhood allergies.
FAF Founder and CEO Ilana Golant (left) speaks with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Washington, DC, at the Food Allergy Fund Forum. (Ashley J. DiMella/Fox News Digital)
Secretary Kennedy observed at the FAF conference that food allergies – particularly those related to peanuts – appear to be much more common among children today than when he was growing up.
“When I was a kid, I never met anyone with a peanut allergy,” Kennedy said. “I had 11 siblings and about 71 first cousins, and I didn’t know anyone in my schools or any of the camps I went to who had one.”
“There may be multiple causes, or there may be just one – we don’t know yet.”
One of his sons has severe anaphylactic allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and several other foods, he said.
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“When he was 2, we had been to the emergency room about 22 times,” Kennedy said.
“At first, I focused on how we were going to treat him and keep him safe. But my mind quickly turned to the bigger question: Why is this happening? I have five of my seven children with allergies,” he said.
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“There may be multiple causes, or there may be just one – we don’t know yet,” Kennedy continued. “But we are going to study it. We are going to break this omerta, end the taboo and find out what is the cause.”
