What if the key to preventing food allergies lies in what – and when – we feed our babies?

In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study, a landmark trial that challenged long-held beliefs about infant feeding and allergy prevention. Join us as we explore how introducing allergenic foods early – including peanut, egg, and dairy – may influence the development of food tolerance in infants.

We’ll unpack the science, discuss what the findings mean for families and clinicians, and reflect on how this research is shaping new feeding guidelines across the globe. Whether you’re a parent, healthcare professional, or simply curious about paediatric nutrition and allergy, this episode serves up evidence-based insights in an easy-to-digest format.

Let’s separate the myths from the data — one spoonful at a time.

Sources:

• Marrs, T., Jo, J-H., Perkin, M.R., Rivett, D.W., Witney, A.A., Bruce, K.D., Logan, K., Craven, J., Radulovic, S., Versteeg, S.A., van Ree, R., McLean, W.H.I., Strachan, D.P., Lack, G., Kong, H.H. & Flohr, C. (2021) Gut microbiota development during infancy: Impact of introducing allergenic foods. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 147(2), pp. 613-621. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2020.09.042.
• Perkin, M.R., Bahnson, H.T., Logan, K., Marrs, T., Radulovic, S., Knibb, R., Craven, J., Flohr, C., Mills, E.N., Versteeg, S.A., van Ree, R. & Lack, G. (2019) Factors influencing adherence in a trial of early introduction of allergenic food. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 144(6), pp. 1595-1605. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2019.06.046.
• Perkin, M.R., Logan, K., Bahnson, H.T., Marrs, T., Radulovic, S., Craven, J., Flohr, C., Mills, E.N., Versteeg, S.A., van Ree, R. & Lack, G. (2019) Efficacy of the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study among infants at high risk of developing food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 144(6), pp. 1606-1614. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2019.06.045.
• Perkin, M.R., Logan, K., Marrs, T., Radulovic, S., Craven, J., Flohr, C. & Lack, G. (2016) Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study: Feasibility of an early allergenic food introduction regimen. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 137(5), pp. 1477-1486. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2015.12.1322.
• Perkin, M.R., Logan, K., Tseng, A., Raji, B., Ayis, S., Peacock, J., Brough, H., Marrs, T., Radulovic, S., Craven, J., Flohr, C. & Lack, G. (2016) Randomized Trial of Introduction of Allergenic Foods in Breast-Fed Infants. N Engl J Med, 374(18), pp. 1733-1743. Available at: DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1514210.
• Voorheis, P., Bell, S., Cornelsen, L., Quaife, M., Logan, K., Marrs, T., Radulovic, S., Craven, J., Flohr, C., Lack, G. & Perkin, M.R. (2019) Challenges experienced with early introduction and sustained consumption of allergenic foods in the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study: A qualitative analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 144(6), pp. 1615-1623. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2019.09.004.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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