Review suggests that the immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of allergenic foods can provoke oral tolerance if introduced early to infants' diets.
For years, the advice was to postpone introducing allergenic foods, in order to prevent food allergies. However, food allergies have escalated rather than declined and our review of the latest epidemiological, immunological and nutritional research suggests that early weaning practices may be beneficial. The most allergenic foods, such as fish, eggs and peanuts, have proved to be inherently rich in tolerogenic substances that can play a significant role in preventing allergies.


CONCLUSIONS
We found evidence that the immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of allergenic foods can provoke oral tolerance if introduced early to both low-risk and high-risk infants.
Allergology and Pulmonology Unit, Penteli's Children Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Despina-Zoe T
DT
Mermiri
Nutrition Department, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Theodora
T
Lappa
Allergology and Pulmonology Unit, Penteli's Children Hospital, Athens, Greece.|Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Unit, Pediatric Department, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Athina L
AL
Papadopoulou
D021181:Egg Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007223:Infant; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014886:Weaning
Allergy prevention; Early food introduction; Oral tolerance induction; Tolerogenic foods; Weaning practices