Facts About Food Allergies, Intolerances, and Celiac Disease

 Important Statistics from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN):

• About 2 to 2 1/2 percent of the general population suffer from true food allergies –– between 6-7 million Americans.

 • Eight foods account for 90 percent of the reactions––peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat.

 • Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting, accounting for an estimated 30,000 emergency room visits each year.

Important Statistics from York Nutritional Laboratories (lab testing firm):

• Unlike food allergies––which involve the immune system––food intolerances affect up to 45% of people and are caused by the body’s inability to properly digest certain foods. The most popular is lactose intolerance, but any food can be the culprit.

Important Statistics from the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

• Among children under three years of age, the incidence of allergies is 8%.

 • Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.

 • More than 30 million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis (which is often attributed to food sensitivities).

 Celiac Disease Facts

Important Statistics from the University of Maryland and University of Chicago

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the gluten in wheat and wheat-related grains (e.g., barley, spelt, rye) damages the small intestine, preventing proper nutrient absorption.

 • Approximately 1 in every 133 Americans have celiac disease. However, most people don’t know they have it. It is the “common disease you’ve never heard of.”

 • For every American diagnosed with celiac disease, another 4,000 go undiagnosed.

• The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet for life. This means avoiding all foods made from wheat and wheat-related grains––such as bread, cereal, pasta, cake, cookies, and pies––as well as foods containing hidden wheat such as licorice, cream soups, sauces, some condiments, and certain pharmaceuticals.