With over 32 million Americans facing food allergies, U.S. health officials and researchers are increasingly focusing on the role of gut microbiomes in addressing this growing public health challenge. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and FDA Chief Martin Makary, along with NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, are examining how shifts in modern diets, antibiotic use, and environmental exposures may be disrupting the delicate balance of gut bacteria, potentially triggering inflammation and allergic reactions. The discussion comes as part of an initiative led by the Food Allergy Fund (FAF), which is organizing forums to explore the microbiome’s potential impact on immune health.
Experts are noting that the human intestine houses over a billion types of bacteria, which typically coexist in a dynamic equilibrium. However, changes in diet, increased antibiotic use, and other environmental factors can disturb this balance. According to Makary, such imbalances may be linked to the rising prevalence of food allergies. He explained,