GorillaOffTopic, Everything But Gorilla Trades

If you have ever had an allergic reaction, you know how annoying and uncomfortable they can be, but some food allergies more than annoying, they can be downright dangerous! The Gorilla watched a good friend of his suffer for years with his child, who had terrible food allergies- mainly to peanuts. After many close calls, which included several emergency room visits, his parents finally got the allergies under control, and thankfully, they subsided as he grew older.  But for many parents, this way of life is cruel reality. Peanuts, in particular, are tough because there are peanuts in so many products that we eat. Almost 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies. In fact, according to Dr. Clifford Bassett, Vice Chair of the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, food allergies are doubling. It is a growing problem that many people suffer with daily.  If you watched last season’s Apprentice (which the Gorilla is a huge fan of), then you may remember country star and finalist, Trace Adkin’s, plight to find a cure for the debilitating food allergies, which afflict his young daughter. All the money he raised was for his charity of choice, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, in honor of his daughter and those with food allergies. When his daughter was just 18 months old, she almost died after suffering an allergic reaction to peanut butter. He said the experience was “terrifying.” No child or adult should have to live this way; in constant fear that they will somehow come into contact with the many foods that are prepared with peanut oil or peanut by-products. The fact is, it is in so many items.  Well, there is good news on the horizon for those who must deal with peanut allergies; researchers at Duke University are working on a cure. They are hoping a form of immunotherapy will eradicate peanut allergies altogether and that it will be available within the next five years.  

Dr. Bassett believes everyone should get tested for food allergies. It is a good point since you may never know you are allergic to something until you have a bad reaction. By then it can sometimes be too late. “We’re trying to take the risk down to zero,” Bassett said. “Right now, the primary approach is education and awareness.” He also added that until the immunotherapy becomes available, you need to have an emergency backup plan just in case. It is exciting to think that a cure for this terrible allergy could be eradicated once and for all. Man, it sure is a good thing that Gorillas don’t really like peanuts; we’ll save them for those other species with the big trunks!