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Why are some people allergic to some ingredients?

Family history is one of the best predictors of the likelihood of having a food allergy or intolerance. Children of atopic (=allergic) parents are more likely to have an allergy. Infants with one atopic parent have about twice the risk of developing food allergy as infants whose parents do not have allergies. If both parents are atopic, the risk increases four to six times. For babies that are born into families where close relatives suffer from allergies, exclusive breast-feeding for 4-6 months seems to give some protection.