Research Duh... Peanut allergies drop steeply after doctors change advice + 4,000 steps a week

[C C]

Kids growing up in dirty environments for thousands of years. Suddenly the modern world and parental over-protectiveness takes that away. Hooda had a clue that not exposing them early to common items and ambient conditions would contribute to an explosion in hypersensitive reactions?
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Peanut allergies drop steeply after doctors change advice, evidence shows
https://www.sciencealert.com/peanut-alle...ence-shows

INTRO: Updated dietary guidelines in the US have significantly reduced the number of children with specific food allergies, reducing their need to avoid foods containing ingredients such as peanuts and eggs.

A major update to advice for preventing allergies in the US was published in 2015, with further revisions in 2017. A study led by a team from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) now suggests that allergies have reduced in tens of thousands born in the years since.

The guidelines focus on anaphylactic food allergies, also known as immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies due to the antibody involved. These allergic reactions happen quickly and can be severe or even life-threatening.

In 2015, the guidance changed to recommend that peanut-based food products be introduced to children at a very young age, effectively training their immune systems to tolerate the ingredient. Previously, parents had been advised to avoid exposure til their child was at least 3 years old... (MORE - details)

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Older adults benefit from walking just 4,000 steps once a week
https://socialcare.today/2025/10/22/olde...nce-a-week

INTRO: Older adults who walk at least 4,000 steps just once or twice a week may lower their risk of premature death by a quarter, according to a new study.

Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study – conducted by experts from Harvard University – included 13,547 women aged 62 and over, with an average age of 72. Participants wore activity trackers for seven days between 2011 and 2015 and were monitored for over a decade. At the beginning, none had heart disease or cancer.

However, by the end of last year, 1,765 women had died and 781 had developed cardiovascular disease (CVD). Experts found that walking at least 4,000 steps on one or two days each week was linked to a 26% lower risk of death from any cause and a 27% lower risk of deaths caused by heart disease.

Likewise, women who completed 4,000 steps on three or more days a week saw their risk of death from any cause drop by 40%, though the reduction in cardiovascular death remained at 27%.

‘The important takeaway was that it is the amount people walk, rather than the number of days on which they achieve a certain number of steps, that is most important for reducing the risk of premature death,’ the lead researchers of the study said.

They added that there is no ‘best’ way to take your steps, it’s just important to fit them into routine. The academics said the ‘greater number of steps, regardless of daily patterns, is associated with better health outcomes’.

Overall, the study – otherwise known as Association between frequency of meeting daily step thresholds and all‑cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in older women – showed that on average, the women walked 5,615 steps a day. The researchers noted that the study was purely observational and that no firm conclusions could be drawn about cause and effect... (MORE - details)

[Railko]

It's probably just one piece of the puzzle. Allergies were still popping up even when parents weren't avoiding those foods; I suspect in those genetically prone to overreacting to foods this won't help much. Still promising for the rest of society though.

[confused2]

Peanuts..
There's likely to be a few babies that curl up and die when their parents give them peanuts for the first time .. will they (the parents) be entitled to compensation?

[C C]

Introducing peanut butter to infants
https://www.texaschildrens.org/content/w...er-infants

Introducing peanut butter to a baby can be both exciting and nerve-wracking due to the potential for allergies. With babies, it’s best to introduce peanut butter before peanuts and to test how they respond. Parents will want to be prepared for the possibility of unknown allergies and to have a plan in place before beginning to introduce peanut butter to their babies.

Although babies can have peanut butter, it’s important to mindfully introduce peanut butter into their diets. If your baby is extra sensitive or prone to allergies, it’s especially important to know the best practices for introducing peanut butter safety to a child. Below, Dr. Sara Anvari, Director of Research, Food Allergy Program at Texas Children’s and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, answers some common questions about peanut butter and babies.

When to Introduce Peanut Butter to Babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents introduce allergenic and non-allergenic foods — including peanut butter — to infants without a history of allergic disorders, such as eczema or food allergies, starting around 4-6 months of age. This recommendation was made based on the increasing prevalence of food allergies among infants. The evidence suggests that earlier rather than delayed introduction of more allergenic foods, such as peanut butter, could potentially help prevent the development of food allergies. [Evidence shows peanut allergies drop steeply after doctors change advice]

Infants without eczema or food allergies can be introduced to age-appropriate peanut-containing foods, along with other solid foods, starting at 4-6 months of age.

When Can Babies with Food Sensitivities Eat Peanut Butter? Recent guidelines by the National Institutes of Health strongly recommend that infants who have severe eczema, egg allergy or both should undergo a food allergy evaluation before being introduced to peanut butter at home. If your baby has shown signs of sensitivities and food allergies, it’s best to see an allergist when they are about 6 months old, before they try peanut butter or other allergy-prone foods.

Based on test results, peanut-containing foods could potentially be introduced at 4-6 months of age.

“It’s typically recommended to start with peanut butter that’s been diluted with either breast milk, formula or water,” said Dr. Anvari. “If your baby has any allergic condition — like severe eczema or egg allergies — it’s recommended that you first obtain a peanut allergy blood test from your pediatrician.”

How to Introduce Peanut Butter to Babies. Before introducing peanut butter to babies, ensure they are well (i.e. do not give peanut butter for the first time when they have a cold) and that you are available to observe them for a few hours after introduction in the home environment. Introducing peanut butter to babies around 4-6 months is an ideal time to test.

To introduce peanut butter, we recommend mixing 1-2 teaspoons of peanut butter with 2-3 teaspoons of water, breast milk or formula to thin it out.

“I would recommend picking a peanut butter without too many fillers in it,” said Dr. Anvari. “And always choose smooth rather than chunky peanut butter to avoid choking hazards. Otherwise, the specific type of peanut butter is not important — whatever brand you would regularly keep in your house is fine.”

First, offer your infant a small serving of peanut butter puree (e.g., the tip of a teaspoon) and observe for 15-20 minutes. If there are no symptoms after the first dose, slowly give the remaining doses, watching for any signs of an allergic reaction. Avoid giving whole peanuts or thick lumps of peanut butter, as this can be a choking hazard.

If your baby likes the taste of the peanut butter, you may see positive reactions, such as a smile, opening their mouth for more or reaching for the spoon. However, if babies spit up, spit it out, turn their heads or show disinterest, it may be a sign that peanut butter is not yet for them. Although babies may not enjoy the taste of peanut butter upon first introduction, remember that babies’ taste preferences are frequently evolving, so it may take several tries before they begin to like it.

How Much Peanut Butter to Give to Babies. “If a baby has tolerated the full dose, I recommend keeping two teaspoons of peanut butter in the diet at least twice a week to make sure they don’t lose that tolerance,” said Dr. Anvari. “Peanut butter offers a good source of protein and nutrients for babies, so it’s perfectly healthy to make it a regular part of the diet. As they become toddlers and beyond, the dosage can increase accordingly.”

Peanut Allergy & Peanut Butter Side Effects in Babies. When introducing peanut butter to a baby for the first time, it’s important to know what reactions to watch for. These include:

• The immediate development of rash, hives or swelling. Swelling may appear around the eyes, lips or tongue.
  
  
• Respiratory symptoms, including coughing, persistent wheezing and/or breathing difficulties of any kind.
  
  
• Vomiting that is projectile and/or persistent.

What to do if Babies Have a Reaction to Peanut Butter. “If your baby shows any sign of a reaction to peanut butter, take them immediately to the nearest urgent care or the nearest emergency room, where doctors will administer treatment,” said Dr. Anvari.