In this episode, we unpack The Foetal Origins of Allergy and the idea that the foundations of allergic disease may be laid before birth. Using the lens of early nutritional programming (often discussed within the DOHaD – Developmental Origins of Health and Disease framework), we explore how the in-utero environment can influence immune development, tolerance, and later risk of conditions like eczema, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

We’ll break down what the science actually suggests about key influences such as maternal diet quality, vitamin D and fatty acids, metabolic health and inflammation, microbiome signals, and the wider exposome (stress, pollution, and lifestyle factors). Most importantly, we’ll translate this into practical, evidence-informed takeaways: what clinicians should consider in antenatal counselling, what parents can focus on without anxiety, and where the research is still evolving.

If you’ve ever wondered whether allergy risk can be “programmed” early—and what that means for prevention—this episode is for you.

Sources:

• Jenmalm, M.C. and Duchén, K. (2013) 'Timing of allergy-preventive and immunomodulatory dietary interventions – are prenatal, perinatal or postnatal strategies optimal?', Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 43, pp. 273–278.
• Goldring, S.T., Griffiths, C.J., Martineau, A.R., Robinson, S., Yu, C., Poulton, S., Kirkby, J.C., Stocks, J., Hooper, R., Shaheen, S.O., Warner, J.O. and Boyle, R.J. (2013) 'Prenatal Vitamin D Supplementation and Child Respiratory Health: A Randomised Controlled Trial', PLoS ONE, 8(6), p. e66627.
• Warner, J.O. and Warner, J.A. (2022) 'The Foetal Origins of Allergy and Potential Nutritional Interventions to Prevent Disease', Nutrients, 14(8), p. 1590.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Ever had a patient (or child) react to fish even when it’s been properly cooked—and the story just doesn’t fit a classic “fish allergy”? This episode dives into Anisakis: the tiny parasitic worm found in marine fish and squid that can trigger allergic reactions ranging from hives and swelling to anaphylaxis—sometimes even without active infection.

We break down:

• What Anisakis is and which fish are most commonly implicated
• How reactions can mimic (or coexist with) true fish/seafood allergy
• Typical symptoms: urticaria, angioedema, wheeze, GI pain, and severe reactions
• The key clinical clues in the history (including reactions after “fresh” or home-prepared fish)
• How testing works (including the role and limitations of specific IgE)
• Practical prevention and safety advice: freezing, cooking, sourcing, and when to avoid fish
• What to tell families—and when to prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector

Whether you’re a clinician, a parent navigating seafood reactions, or simply curious about hidden causes of “fish allergy,” this episode will help you recognise Anisakis-triggered reactions and manage them confidently.

Sources:

1. AAITO-IFIACI Anisakis Consortium (2011) 'Anisakis hypersensitivity in Italy: prevalence and clinical features: a multicenter study', Allergy, 66, pp. 1563–1569. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02691.x.
2. Nieuwenhuizen, N.E. and Lopata, A.L. (2014) 'Allergic Reactions to Anisakis Found in Fish', Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 14(455). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-014-0455-3.
3. Rama, T.A. and Silva, D. (2022) 'Anisakis Allergy: Raising Awareness', Acta Médica Portuguesa, 35(7-8), pp. 578–583. Available at: https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.15908.
4. Uña-Gorospe, M., Herrera-Mozo, I., Canals, M.L., Martí-Amengual, G. and Sanz-Gallen, P. (2018) 'Occupational disease due to Anisakis simplex in fish handlers', International Maritime Health, 69(4), pp. 264–269. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5603/IMH.2018.0042.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

Send a text

Support the show

Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Ever seen someone develop flushing, hives, a pounding headache, or even wheeze soon after eating fish—and everyone assumes it’s a “fish allergy”? In this episode, we unpack Histamine (Scombroid) Fish Poisoning, a common and often mislabelled cause of allergy-like reactions after eating fish such as tuna, mackerel, mahi-mahi, sardines, anchovies, and bonito.

You’ll learn why it happens (histamine build-up from improper chilling/handling), how fast symptoms start, and the key clinical clues that help you tell scombroid vs true IgE-mediated fish allergy. We cover typical features like flushing, urticaria, burning/peppery taste, nausea/diarrhoea, palpitations, dizziness, and when to worry about more severe symptoms. We’ll also walk through first-aid at home, when to seek urgent care, and the evidence-based treatment—including why antihistamines usually help quickly and why adrenaline isn’t always necessary (but may be used if there’s genuine anaphylaxis or uncertainty).

Finally, we zoom out to prevention: what safe storage looks like, what to do with leftovers, why multiple people getting ill after the same meal is a big clue, and how to avoid unnecessary lifelong “fish allergy” labels.

Perfect for parents, clinicians, and anyone who loves fish and wants the facts—fast, practical, and myth-busting.

Source:

Feng, C., Teuber, S. and Gershwin, M.E. (2016) ‘Histamine (Scombroid) Fish Poisoning: a Comprehensive Review’, Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 50, pp. 64–69. doi:10.1007/s12016-015-8467-x.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

Send a text

Support the show

Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.