All the information that medical scientists and chemists have regarding allergies is a bunch of theories. I've talked at length with my allergist about some of these things, because I always just want to know WHY my crazy allergy to coconut happened sometime after I was age 28 (I'm 33 now). I've also done a lot of reading. I want to know why I react to some foods so violently sometimes and not at all to other foods that supposedly contain allergins.
One of these mysteries is why I am so terribly allergic to foods that contain coconut OILS. Allergists' theorize that you can't be allergic to oils because it is the proteins in foods that cause the allergic reaction to occur. They've done tons of tests on people who are allergic to peanuts who can safely eat peanut oil, so they say it's extremely rare to be allergic to an oil. It's a little bit confusing.
Well, I have studied coconut just a little bit, and although I'm not a chemist, I think I'm a relatively smart person and have come up with my own theories.
Coconut oil does contain coconut proteins that cause allergic reactions. I'm living proof. And this is probably why: coconut is a cold-press oil. It is processed so minimally, that depending on which manufacturer (they are mostly third-world countries FYI) made it, the purification process probably consisted of letting the coconut particles settle at the bottom of the container and pouring the oil off the top. BINGO- there is no way to chemically or mechanically remove the proteins from coconut oil that wouldn't be too costly for these producers! The difference for other oils, like peanut oil, is that they are heat-pressed and highly processed in a way that removes proteins more thoroughly.
Any insight from other allergic folks is welcome in comments. . .
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10 comments:
Hiya! Just wanted to drop a note to let you know that peanut oil is not safe. Reactions have occurred from ingestion. I know people like to say otherwise, but it's just best to avoid peanut products all the way around if one has an allergy. We have various food allergies in my family, including tree nuts (coconut is included here), peanuts, and sesame.
Your theory makes total sense! Thanks for keeping this blog. I've reacted twice to coconut in the last 2 weeks, and I'm frustrated trying to find info on the internet. I appreciate the helpful info you have here!
cool blog
Heya, I'm 27 and recently I had my suspected first allergic reaction to coconut. I love coconut :( It was a fresh whole coconut and 5 minutes after having some my throat was extremely sore and a bit itchy.
I used to not be allergic to any foods, but as a kid i developed allergies to hazelnuts, then pecans, then walnuts.
Nothing superbad, just itchy swollen mouth and throat with lots of bumps, makes it a bit hard to breathe and very hard to enjoy a meal!
Recently I also had an allergic reaction to Amaretto, which signals that I may develop an almond allergy soon :( There goes my favourite chocolates! (Raffaello, which have both almonds and coconut)
Anyway, being a biomedical scientist I heartily approve of your logical theory and definitely think it's got merit.
Furthermore, I think what you're doing with this blog is a great idea, and I will be sure to keep it bookmarked in case my allergies ramp up to the pre-anaphylactic stage of yours!
Keep up the good work :D
Does this mean I might still be able to drink Malibu?
And you can definitely be allergic to coconut oil. That or I just magically woke up one day covered in hives wherever I'd put on my coconut oil moisturizer (which ironically I was using as an alternative to "commercial" products, which I knew I was allergic to but didn't know why...)
I've done a lot of research on oils in general because my daughter also is severely allergic to seeds. If you think coconut is hard, try seeds! Seed oils are in EVERYthing! But you're right about the cold pressed vs. heat pressed oils. My allergist also said that big name companies should be ok, since they pasteurize the oils, and that should effectively destroy the protein, but I don't risk it.
I have the same extreme allergy to coconut, including the oil, that I developed around age 27, along with several other food allergies. At the same time I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I am 33 now and recently developed a similar allergy to carrots, including when the juice is used as a coloring in food.
I also have (coconut reactions)
anaphalyxis coconut shrimp thai food health bars I believe that
it could be the preservitive that
is used to keep the coconut white,
even in coconut milk. I havent tried yet but if I ate a fresh
coconut off the tree maybe I would
not be allergic...I also have allergies to sulfa, Pen, aspirin,
motrin and other foods.
A good way to know is to actually go to an allergist and have him test you for coconut allergy, either with a blood test or skin test. Then you would know it's actually the coconut you're allergic to.
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