Eli5: Why are nut allergies and gluten intolerance so prevalent and serious in certain populations (like in much of the US), and negligible to the point of being even considered a myth in other parts of the world?

Question

Eli5: Why are nut allergies and gluten intolerance so prevalent and serious in certain populations (like in much of the US), and negligible to the point of being even considered a myth in other parts of the world?

In: Biology

Answer 1

One reason for the increase in allergies is that we are suffering from increased Gut Permeability. Common pain relievers and anti inflammatory drugs work by inhibiting the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Unfortunately COX-1 also creates the mucus that protects your stomach and intestinal linings. Overuse of COX-1 inhibitors like Ibuprofen cause problems in your gut where food particles like Gluten that are typical not absorbed into your body are now directly entering your blood stream.

So this is like if you have a broken turnstile at a train station where just anyone can walk in now. The overworked security keeps runs around trying to clear everyone out without a valid ticket but will eventually start profiling and then specifically accost everyone wearing a hoody for instance.

Unfortunately our other common class of anti inflammatory is steroids. Steroids like Cortisone are commonly used to treated inflammation but have the side effect of suppressing the immune system. When the immune system comes back from being suppressed it can then be extra sensitive causing the body to develop allergies that it hasn’t had before.