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Dr Shapiro completed his undergraduate education at UC San Diego earning a B S in Biochemistry and Cell Biology and a B A in Political Science He furthered his education at UCLA where he earned a Masters Degree in Public…
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I fond memory I have as a child is watching my father come from the kitchen with a rather large spoonful of peanut butter and recall him saying something about it being a great source of protein. Not sure why he bothered trying to justify his intake of it, although it may have had something to do with the chocolate he held in his other hand, ultimately dipping it into the peanut butter for the perfect combo. And while it continues to be recognized as an excellent protein source, there has been an unfortunate circumstance which has surrounded peanut butter in recent years...an alarming increase in its allergy incidence. In fact, in North America and the United Kingdom, there has been a doubling of the incidence of peanut allergy over the last 10 years, despite recommendations to delay its introduction to children at least until the age of two if not three years.
But it appears this increase in peanut allergy may not be the case worldwide as recent research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has shown what I believe many have already suspected...that possibly the best way to prevent peanut allergy is to actually introduce it at an earlier age (AKA tolerance induction). Specifically, Dr. Du Toit and colleagues studied a large population of Jewish children in the United Kingdom and Israel and found that those who did not eat peanut based products in infancy had a higher prevalence of peanut allergy (U.K.-based children) when compared to those who did consume significant amounts during the first year of life (Israel-based children)...a 10-fold higher prevalence. In fact, nearly 70% of the Israeli infants ate peanuts by 9 months of age as compared to only 10% of the Jewish infants in the United Kingdom.
So at this point, I'm sure many of you are wondering when might be the best time to introduce peanut butter and peanut-based products to your child? And while we wait for updated guidelines, the general consensus I am coming across at this point is to continue the delay of peanut butter introduction to those children with a family history of peanut allergy, but in those without one, earlier introduction is becoming the trend. And for those who are looking for specific age ranges, I ask that the final recommendation come from your child's physician...someone who knows your child and family a bit better than me.
Dr. Jeremy
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I can't remember my introduction to Peanut Butter. I am sure it was early though. I remember carrying Peanut Butter sandwiches in my lunch box to school. Oh! Mom had creativity in her veins--she made Peanut Butter and Banana sandwixhes, Peanut Butter and Pickle sandwiches, Peanut Butter and mayo sandwiches for our lunches. We ate it all, whatever she "created"...ha ha My preferences have changed through the years, though.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! One more comment: Peanut Butter & Jelly ALWAYS go good together!
there are no peanut allergies in my family and we all love a peanut butter sandwich.