A recent study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that the body’s immune system reaction due to food allergies is associated with an increased risk of death from heart or cardiovascular disease.
Reported site Medical DailyFriday (10/11/2023) antibodies to certain allergens, especially cow’s milk, can significantly increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts badly to certain types of food, mistaking them for harm. To deal with a perceived threat from an allergen, the immune system releases an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which was reported by Between.
People with food sensitivities may experience itching, wheezing, swelling, and digestive problems such as stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after exposure to allergens. In some people, food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction.
“We were surprised by these findings because it is very common for IgE to be present in foods and most people do not show any symptoms when they consume these foods,” said lead study author Corinne Keet, of the UNC Department of Pediatrics.
The strongest link to cardiovascular death was seen in people who had the antibodies but continued to eat these foods regularly. Although the highest risk is associated with cow’s milk, other allergens such as peanuts and shrimp are also dangerous.
“While this response may not be strong enough to cause an acute allergic reaction to food, it can cause inflammation and over time lead to problems such as heart disease,” said researcher Jeffrey Wilson from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
The research team reviewed data from 4,414 adults who participated in the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) and 960 participants at the Wake Forest Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) site.
They measured participants’ total and specific IgE to allergens, including cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, shrimp, alpha-gal, dust mites, and timothy grass. During the study, 285 people died of cardiovascular disease.
Participants who had IgE antibodies to at least one food, especially those sensitive to dairy, were associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death.
Further analysis showed a significant risk among those who regularly ate peanuts and shrimp even when they were sensitive.
“These findings do not conclusively prove that dietary antibodies cause increased risk, but the study builds on previous research linking allergic inflammation and heart disease,” the study release said. (ant/and/saf/ham)
2023-11-12 09:20:11
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