New Study Suggests Food Allergies Could Impact Cardiovascular Health
A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has found a potential link between food allergies and cardiovascular health. The research challenges the current belief that sensitization to common food allergens such as dairy and peanuts is benign. Instead, the study suggests that this sensitization could be a previously unappreciated cause of heart disease, with the increased risk potentially exceeding that posed by smoking, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The study, conducted by UVA Health scientists, drew a connection between individuals sensitive to cow’s milk and those who had antibodies to other common food allergens. The research highlights the fact that about 15% of adults have allergies to foods like cow’s milk and peanuts, with some individuals being totally unaware of their allergies and antibodies.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, explained that the presence of IgE antibodies to food in blood samples was a focus of the research. The team reviewed data from over 5,300 participants and found that 285 had died from cardiovascular causes. In addition to dairy and peanut sensitization, shrimp sensitization was also recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular death.
The study does not conclusively prove that food antibodies are causing the increased risk, but it builds on prior studies connecting allergic inflammation and heart disease. The findings point to the need for further research and consideration of the impact of food allergies on cardiovascular health. This research could have significant implications for how allergies are diagnosed and managed in the future.