New product could eliminate peanut allergies

BOSTON — One local company says the cure to a food allergy could be exposing children early and often.

In 2000, the American Medical Association was telling parents no exposure to peanuts, but now, some medical experts now say that's wrong.

“The data is you need to be doing it early and so we give you the tools to do that,” said Clarence Friedman, inventor of Aralyte.

Aralyte introduces peanuts to babies who could develop an allergy starting around 4 months old.

Friedman says people's immune systems are developed at a young age. Introducing babies to peanuts at that time sends the body the message that there's no need for a potentially-fatal response.

Aralyte introduces the allergens via vials that contain a mix of organic safflower oil, Vitamin D, and a daily dose of peanut allergen. The mixture is described as a "food for special dietary use," one that can be mixed into a baby's formula or breast milk.  The company suggests an initial course of three months, and one month's worth of Aralyte is $60.

"If you do consistent early exposure all the way from four months to two years old, you have a 98 percent lower likelihood of developing allergies,” said Clarence.

The product is currently being used in 15 clinics in the Boston area, including those at Boston Children's, Mass General, and Tufts Medical Center.

The company that makes Aralyte, Antera Theraputics, is also working on kits for shellfish, soy, wheat and more. You can by their peanut kit from their website.

Cox Media Group