A world breakthrough development made by Israeli researchers is big news. A cookie given to children, easily concocted in the home, can decrease the level of allergy to peanuts which can be life-threatening, primarily in children. This cookie, developed by a doctor from Sheba Medical Center and a researcher from the Volcani Institute, consists of a powder ground up from a new species of peanut which has undergone special treatment.
Peanut allergy is one of the most difficult and lethal ones in children, often continuing in adulthood. Up till now, experimental treatment has only brought sufferers to an ability to tolerate exposure to small amounts of the allergen, and even then, only temporarily.
Together with the extended arm of investigation through the Sheba hospital, Dr. Mona Kidon from the Safra Hospital and researcher Dr. Dan Chovav from the Volcani Institute, have succeeded in developing a unique species of peanut that can gradually lower the level of danger of the peanut allergen and even remove it, under monitored conditions applied to each individual.
This species has already undergone clinic experimentation which has proven its safety and efficiency. Now it is being prepared for public use.
Dr. Mona Kidon said, "There is still a long way to go until this therapy is available to everyone in the world, but I hope that eventually we will completely eliminate allergic reactions to peanuts and other nuts."
Researcher Dr. Ran Chovav from the Volcani Institute explains, "The unique approach to the potential treatment of peanut allergy is based on the use of special peanut germ or 'fetus', instead of the ripened nut as has been prevalent to date. The new specie created from 'fetus' seed is able to produce larger quantities than the present prevalent one. The results of the experimentation open new vistas of treatment of allergies from other foods as well, like from soy beans, cashews and walnuts."
The cookie was first exhibited at a Sheba ARC summit convention in 2023 which took place recently.
