The Daring Doctor: Treating Food Allergies with OIT

1 in 13 kids have food allergies in the U.S. This scary condition that can lead to fatal anaphylaxis (the sudden constriction of airways) is debilitating to live with. Today on The Soul of Life I speak with a doctor that is part of a handful of allergists in the U.S. that are revolutionizing the way anaphylactic food allergies are treated.  Dr. Manav Segal is an allergist based in Philadelphia to which my family owes a debt of for curing our son’s debilitating allergy to dairy by offering a treatment for food allergies called Oral Immunotherapy or (OIT). OIT has been around in the U.S. for many years now but it is still far from being widespread among physicians who treat allergies, many of whom continue to warn their patients that a lifetime of strict avoidance is the only treatment. I speak to Dr. Segal to share how this too-good-to-be-true story could be true for your family, and we talk about why the rate of food allergies has accelerated rapidly in the last two decades. "The American Academy of Pediatrics and Allergy Societies speculated, 'Well maybe it’s because we’re introducing peanuts and tree nuts and milk and egg too soon.' They just got it wrong." We talk about the budding culture shift among physicians toward widespread acceptance of OIT. It wasn’t until about 2017 that the American Academy of pediatrics changed their recommendations based on research that had come out around that time that said early introduction is what may help slow down the increased numbers of food allergies. What’s the latest pediatric advice about early introduction of food allergies to babies? What percentage of kids will outgrow food allergies? What’s the difference between Celiac Disease characterized by wheat intolerance and a wheat allergy? Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulOfLifeShow​ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulofLifeShow​ Want to book Keith as a guest on your podcast? Contact him at [email protected]. ***7-Week Stress Reduction & Relationship Growth Course*** If you and your significant other are looking for ways to improve communication and strengthen your partnership, there is still time to enroll in my upcoming live 7-Week Mindfulness and IFS course, called Mindful Marriage. Partners of any kind are welcome. It's a one-of-a-kind offering that can truly transform how you show up in intimacy. For more information visit: https://community.souloflifeshow.com/