Can genetics explain if you are allergic to certain pollens or foods?
Carbon cells, identified genetically and designated as HLA DQ and DR genes, have been identified with an increased risk of pollen, dust, latex and food allergies. The intriguing part of this story is that it has the advantage of knowing your HLA DR and DQ type when evaluating your risk of pollen allergies and associated food allergies or cross-reactions.
Genetics of food reactions and allergies
As I explain in more detail in my articles on the genetics of the sensitivity of gluten, we all have proteins on the surface of our cells that are genetically determined. These samples are easily detected by testing cells from the blood or from the mouth, obtained by smear type Q-tip. Specific patterns were associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune conditions, sensitivity of gluten and celiac disease.
HLA DQ Genetics and Celiac or gluten sensitivity
HLA DQ2 is present in more than 90% of people with celiac disease, while HLADQ8 is present in most others, although not all people with celiac disease have DQ2 and / or DQ8.
DQ and DR Genetic patterns associated with allergies or susceptibility to food and pollen?
Now it seems that some samples of DQ or DR are associated with allergies to food and pollen. As a food dock, I continue to search the literature for more information on genetic links to food allergies and intolerance. My search led to several interesting articles in the unusual area of oral allergy syndrome (OAS). The link between seasonal and perennial allergies to nose and food allergies is certainly well established, but not well known by most doctors or patients. It seems that some of us should avoid eating certain foods if we have hay fever or are allergic, especially during the hay fever season. This problem also seems to be inherited.
Research documentation Genetic association with certain food and pollen allergies
Boehncke, et al. from the University of Frankfurt reported in 1998 that some types of white blood cells, known HLA II class genotypes or genetic patterns of HLA DQ and DR, were found more often in people with a certain food allergy associated with pollen. HLA-DQB1 * 0301 is present in more people who are allergic to grass pollen. Those with HLA-DRB1 * 08, the inherited protein structure of blood cells associated with grass pollen allergy, six times increases the risk of peanut allergy. Those who inherited the HLA-DRB1 * 12 leukocyte picture are 13 times higher than the risk of developing an allergy to carrots.
Tree pollen allergy to birch pollen seems worse
Birch pollen allergy to nut nuts is associated with HLA-DRB1 * 01, DQA1 * 0101 and DQB1 * 0501. Gazelle, almond, walnut and apple are the most common food allergies associated with birch pollen. Allergies to these products are usually associated with birch pollen in other studies.
Weed allergies are also associated with food reactions.
In 2004, Wang et al. From China published that the inherited type of white blood cells DQA1 * 0302 is found in more people with allergic rhinitis caused by pollen caused by Artemia hay fever due to Mugwort or Sagebrush weeds. Mugwort allergy is associated with several food allergies, including apple, celery, hazelnuts, pistachios, lettuce, almonds, peanuts and carrots.
Where to get genetic testing
There are three commercial laboratories that I know about that offer the full range of HLA DQ. These are Quest Labs, Bonfils Lab in Denver and Enterolab. Bonfils performs genetic tests Enterolab. Enterolab offers a test run on cell samples obtained from a Q-tip probe smear. The test can be obtained directly from Enterolab without a doctor’s order, although it is not covered by insurance. However, it is very reasonable from the point of genetic testing at $ 149. Bonfils also does DQ-typing on cells obtained from blood samples sent to them from other laboratories.
The future of genetic testing in pollen and food allergies
In the future, such testing should be very useful in evaluating suspicious food allergies, intolerances and pollen allergies. At the same time, those of us who are interested in this interesting story are anxiously awaiting the results of research in this exciting field. Dr. Fine, founder of Enterolab, has previously published samples of HLA DQ associated with microscopic colitis. He found that microscopic changes in the colon or large intestine are similar, if not identical, to what is observed in the small intestine with celiac disease. Several articles now confirm that the gluten-free diet works in many people with microscopic, lymphocytic and collagen colitis. It also helps many with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Detection of intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the distal small intestine (terminal ileum) is associated with an increase in the incidence of celiac disease in the proximal small intestine. Now, adding to the intrigue, these articles link some of the inherited patterns of white blood protein genes to pollen allergies and food allergies, which are well known but rarely pursued clinically. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS), also called "burning syndrome", occurs in many people, but is often not diagnosed. Symptoms include a burning sensation, a painful and / or itchy sensation of the mouth or throat with or without swelling, which occurs almost immediately after eating certain foods. Foods that cause these reactions are usually associated with an allergy to pollen, latex, or dust.
Unusual association of pollen allergies and burning mouth or food reactions
This unusual association of pollen from trees, herbs, and weeds, latex and house dust, allergic to food reactions, although well documented in the medical literature, is usually not recognized by doctors or patients. The OAS literature contains many reports of food allergies or intolerance reactions that are associated with a specific allergy to pollen, dust, mold, or latex. One of the best examples is ragweed pollen allergy. This is associated with a higher risk of food allergy or intolerance to only a few foods. These include foods in the pumpkin family (cucumbers and melons) and bananas. Birch tree pollen allergy, on the other hand, is associated with sensitivity to many products. The list includes such products in the Rosacea family (apples, pears), the nut family (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts), potatoes and carrots. Reactions include classic allergic reactions such as skin rash (atopic dermatitis, urticaria), wheezing (asthma), a runny nose (allergic rhinitis), as well as symptoms of OSA, burning the mouth and other symptoms of food intolerance.
If you suspect that food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities are evaluated by an expert.
Persons who suspect food allergology or intolerance are recommended to reconsider the relationship with food and to undergo specific estimates of food allergies, intolerance and sensitivity. Nutritional sensitivity includes gluten sensitivity and sensitivity to milk protein (casein) of a cow. Food intolerance includes lactose intolerance. Food allergies are separate and different from food sensitivities or food intolerances.
Think about how to undergo genetic testing or ask your doctor to test you.
This new information on the association of white blood cell protein structures, such as HLA DQ, suggests that we should consider the possibility of conducting genetic testing. After an adequate assessment,
Set a baseline for symptoms and start a diet with nutritional symptoms.
I urge everyone to establish a basic symptom score. A detailed diary of food symptoms before the elimination diet is also extremely helpful. Before making a diagnosis of IBS, fibromyalgia, unexplained neuropathy or headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome, a liquidation diet is recommended that excludes the main lecithins for food (dairy products, grains, legumes and nightshade) and any products from the pollen list. Any symptoms that were not easily explained or improved with other diagnostic indications and treatments should have been considered possible due to the nutritional response until proven otherwise.
Selected bibliography
Boehncke, et al. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 April; 28 (4): 434-41.
Fine KD et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Aug; 95 (8): 1974-82.
Wang et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Feb; 130 (2): 192-197.
