This amount of peanut can trigger allergic reaction in peanut-sensitive patients

The findings of a recent study by a University of Cincinnati toxicologist suggests that finding an 'eliciting dose' may help those who suffer mild or moderate allergic reactions to peanut. This amount of peanut can trigger allergic reaction in peanut-sensitive patients The findings were published in the scholarly journal Food and Chemical Toxicology. The warnings allow individuals with severe reactions to steer clear, but for consumers who may be able to tolerate a minimal amount of peanut protein without major incident the labels aren't very useful, says Lynne Haber, PhD, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine senior toxicologist. Using patient data from multiple locations, scientists used mathematical models to estimate an "eliciting dose" - or the amount of peanut protein that will cause or elicit an allergic reaction in a certain percentage of peanut-sensitive patients, explains Haber. The dose calculated to elicit an allergic reaction in 1% of patients with peanut allergies was 0.052 milligrams of peanut protein, about the weight of a single grain of salt, says Haber.