Understanding Food Allergies with Dr. Sarita Patil

Food allergies affect millions of children and adults worldwide—and the numbers are rising. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Sarita Patil, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Co-Director of the MGH Food Allergy Center, to explore the science behind allergic reactions. They discuss the differences between food allergies and intolerances, the rise in childhood allergies, and how early exposure to allergenic foods can help prevent these conditions. Dr. Patil shares insights from her latest research on peanut immunotherapy and the role of protective antibodies in reducing severe reactions. She also explains eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic condition linked to food allergens that affects the esophagus. The conversation covers key topics such as the hygiene hypothesis, the influence of breastfeeding and the microbiome on food allergies, and the challenges of managing food allergies in the context of food insecurity. Whether you are caring for someone with food allergies or interested in how the immune system interacts with our diet, this episode offers practical information and new perspectives on managing food-related health challenges.

You can listen to Understanding Food Allergies with Dr. Sarita Patil online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Understanding Food Allergies with Dr. Sarita Patil is an episode from Foodie Pharmacology Podcast by Co-Conspiracy Entertainment.

This episode is 42:33 long.

This episode was published on Sep 8, 2025.

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