Have any supplements been studied for tree nut allergies?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Vitamin D supplementation is an area of ongoing research for the prevention of food allergies. Vitamin D is integral to the proper functioning of the immune system, and vitamin D insufficiency and limited sun exposure are associated with the development of food allergies in observational research.[1][2][3][4] However, whether vitamin D supplementation actually decreases the incidence of food allergies is not clear.[5]

    Currently, there is also no evidence to support the use of supplements in treating tree nut allergies. However, there is ongoing research investigating the effects of certain Chinese herbs on the immune system, including their potential to dampen the inappropriate immunologic response to food proteins.[6] Of these herbs, berberine appears to be the most powerful suppressor of IgE production.[7] More research is needed to determine whether these supplements could decrease allergic reactions.

    References

    1. ^Allen KJ, Koplin JJ, Ponsonby AL, Gurrin LC, Wake M, Vuillermin P, Martin P, Matheson M, Lowe A, Robinson M, Tey D, Osborne NJ, Dang T, Tina Tan HT, Thiele L, Anderson D, Czech H, Sanjeevan J, Zurzolo G, Dwyer T, Tang ML, Hill D, Dharmage SCVitamin D insufficiency is associated with challenge-proven food allergy in infants.J Allergy Clin Immunol.(2013-Apr)
    2. ^Rueter K, Siafarikas A, Palmer DJ, Prescott SLPre- and Postnatal Vitamin D Status and Allergy Outcomes in Early Childhood.Biomedicines.(2022-Apr-19)
    3. ^Wang NR, Liu SJ, Xiao GY, Zhang H, Huang YJ, Wang L, He CYCord blood 25(OH)D, cord blood total immunoglobulin E levels, and food allergies in infancy: A birth cohort study in Chongqing, China.World Allergy Organ J.(2022-Apr)
    4. ^Psaroulaki E, Katsaras GN, Samartzi P, Chatziravdeli V, Psaroulaki D, Oikonomou E, Tsitsani PAssociation of food allergy in children with vitamin D insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Eur J Pediatr.(2023-Feb-15)
    5. ^Giannetti A, Bernardini L, Cangemi J, Gallucci M, Masetti R, Ricci GRole of Vitamin D in Prevention of Food Allergy in Infants.Front Pediatr.(2020)
    6. ^Wang J, Patil SP, Yang N, Ko J, Lee J, Noone S, Sampson HA, Li XMSafety, tolerability, and immunologic effects of a food allergy herbal formula in food allergic individuals: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalation, phase 1 study.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.(2010-Jul)
    7. ^Yang N, Wang J, Liu C, Song Y, Zhang S, Zi J, Zhan J, Masilamani M, Cox A, Nowak-Wegrzyn A, Sampson H, Li XMBerberine and limonin suppress IgE production by human B cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from food-allergic patients.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.(2014-Nov)