Food Allergy Is More Than a Diagnosis: Transitioning From a Life of Fear to Full Food Freedom

Introduction

In 15 years of clinical practice as a U.S.-based allergist and clinical immunologist, I have served thousands of food allergy families living a life of fear, isolation, and frustration. Amongst those patients, there were over 40 Australian children whose life was changed forever after completing our program in Utah.

The time has now come to bring America closer to Australia in the field of food allergy diagnostics and best-practice translational research to transition from a life of fear to full food freedom. But what does typically happen to food allergy families upon diagnosis, whether they are in Australia or overseas?

More Than a Diagnosis: A Life-Changing Condition

When a doctor gives a diagnosis of food allergy to a patient, they will usually spend a few minutes going over the diagnosis, strict avoidance measures, and use of epinephrine in case of exposure and reaction. They may provide a few hand-outs on label reading, how to use epinephrine, and an emergency plan. They will answer a few questions and then move on to the next patient.

But what just happened to the patient and their family? Their whole life changed! Every second of every day just changed. Food allergy is more than a diagnosis—it is a life and a lifestyle. What can we do about it as practitioners?

Food Allergy Studies

When we look at food allergy studies, in particular food allergy treatment studies, they often focus on emergency room visits and epinephrine usage.

It reminds me of the COVID pandemic when all the media focused on were positive test counts, hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccination numbers. There was very little being shared about recovery, immune optimization, or the mental, emotional, physical, and financial toll. What about the missed life events?

My U-Turn on Food Allergy Approaches

In 2008, a new family came to my rooms at the Rocky Mountain Allergy Centre after hearing the news about their child’s newly diagnosed food allergies.

“What will I feed my child?”, a mother asked in a shaky voice, her eyes pleading for an answer. I did not have one. After this family left my office in tears, I knew something must be done to give food allergy families hope and provide them with options.

That moment marked the beginning of my new approach—combining a gut health focus with oral immunotherapy. After years of working with families, collaborating with specialists worldwide, and applying lessons from my own health struggles, I developed an integrative, individualized approach to food adverse reactions.

This has resulted in full food freedom for thousands of patients, including many Australians who sacrificed so much for a life-changing approach unavailable in their country. My youngest patient to achieve food freedom was only 9 months old, and my oldest was 65. You are never too old to overcome your food allergy.

Gut Health, Immunity, and Food Freedom

Baseline immunity and the microbiome play enormous roles in managing food allergies. It is incredible to see families overcoming lives of fear, isolation, and frustration, and living to their fullest potential.

When young adults and children achieve full food freedom, they become more confident, engage in sports and recreational activities, and participate fully in life—things they once avoided due to fear.

The Take-Home Message

With my clinical and research experience, I hope to advance the food allergy conversation in Australia and globally. My most important message to food allergy families:

There is light and hope at the end of the tunnel. But you must work on gut health and immunity optimization to prepare your body for change.

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