Welcome to August's newsletter.
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Isaksson and Bruze note that contact allergy to olive oil is considered rare. A review of studies, however, identified twenty cases of contact allergy to olive oil; three of these had occupational hand eczema as a result of olive oil. They describe the case of a masseur who was allergic to olive oil, resulting in occupational hand eczema. Tests revealed that reactions occurred to the oil when applied to the skin but not when ingested. They recommend that, as sensitization occurs, the external use of olive oil should be discouraged.
A study by Kränke et al found that olive oil when applied to the skin can, in susceptible individuals, cause adverse reactions. They question the use of olive oil in any creams or lotions intended for use by sufferers of eczema.
Reactions to the use of olive oil on the skin can also be delayed. van Joost et al identified a delayed type of hypersensitivity to pure freshly-prepared olive oil in two individuals. They also raise the issue that olive oil is sometimes used as a vehicle in patch testing and that the possibility of reactions to the oil need to be considered when this form of testing is used.
Unsel et al provide details of a twenty eight year old man who experienced itching in the roof of his mouth and genaralized urticaria after ingesting olives three years after being diagnosed with olive pollinosis. On testing it was found that he did not react adversely to olive oil and that no other fruit allergy was present.
The article, complete with references.
You can find out more about food allergy and food intolerance in
Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.
Well, not quite a tip this month, more of a 'thought'... If I offered you a glass of water from a country that you don't live in; for example, lets sat you live in the US or the UK and I offered you a glass of water from, let's say, China, Germany or Kenya would you drink it?
If you answered No to at least one of the example countries I strongly suggest that you check the country of manufacture and/or production of the food you buy. For example, the most common brand of rice noodles in the UK is manufactured in China and contains only two ingredients: rice and water.
Water is an ingredient in food that is often overlooked and if you have a problem with chlorine or other water treatment chemicals it can seem that a food, such as rice noodles, is causing a problem when in fact it is the water.
Virtually all fresh fruit and vegetables are washed before they reach the shops - sometimes more than once. Any ready made meal contains water so do alternative milks such as rice and soy. Most tinned vegetables and beans are in water. Pasta and noodles are made with water.
A little scary isn't it?
Just to be clear on this - I am not suggesting that the water supplies in these countries are in any way unsafe - I am sure they fully meet with the regulations of their respective countries but I, as a consumer in the UK, don't know what those are.
A French study identified ten cases (nine women, 1 man) of severe mango anaphylaxis. Eight were also sensitized to mugwort pollen, and two to birch pollen. Six patients have food allergy to Apiaceae*, two to Pistachio, and one to Cashew Nuts.
*Apiaceae: a family of usually aromatic plants with hollow stems, commonly known as umbellifers. It includes angelica, anise, arracacha, asafoetida, caraway, carrot, celery, centella asiatica, chervil, cicely, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, hemlock.
Reference: M. Morisset, D.-A. Moneret-Vautrin, P. Beaumont, B. Bonnefoy-Guionnet, M.-P. Chataignaullt, A. Cheynel, J.-P. Sacre, I. Sullerot, L. Parisot. Anaphylaxis Mango: ten cases reported in the Allergy Vigilance Network - clinical and current frequency Revue Française d'Allergologie 2010;50(4):406-409.
A review of studies concerned with Lactose Intolerance, by Wilt et al, found that:
Reference: Wilt TJ, Shaukat A, Shamliyan T, Taylor BC, Macdonald R, Tacklind J, Rutks I, Nygren P, Schwartzenberg SJ, Kane RL, Levitt M. Lactose intolerance and health. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep). 2010 Feb;(192):1-410.
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Royal Jelly, a honey bee secretion is used by some as a dietary supplement. Unfortunately, it has been implicated in a number of cases of anaphylactic reactions including those detailed below.
After taking royal jelly and several other medicinal products, a 33-year-old man developed severe facial itching and redness of the skin, followed by vertigo, numbness in his fingers, generalized itching, wheals, breathing problems, wheezing and impaired consciousness. Allergy testing resulted with a positive reaction to royal jelly.
Testi et al describe the case of a 28 year old man experienced breathing problems, wheezing, cough, chest tightness and loss of consciousness. As the reactions all took place after he had taken an antibiotic, it was assumed that it was an anaphylactic reaction to the drug. Testing, however, found no adverse reactions to the drug. After careful questioning it was established that he had taken royal jelly after each antibiotic dose. Skin prick testing confirmed that royal jelly was the allergen responsible for the man’s reactions.
Katayama and Kawana report on the case of a 26-year-old woman who developed anaphylaxis after drinking a beverage of crude royal jelly including honey. A range of allergy tests were performed and the culprit was identified as being royal jelly.
The article, complete with references.
You can find out more about food allergy and food intolerance in
Change Your Diet and Change Your Life.
Gum rosin not safe as food additive, says EFSA
A stabilising and emulsifying ingredient derived from gum rosin has received a negative safety opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Hidden Food Additive "Inulin" May Cause Stomach Ache
Inulin is a fiber that occurs naturally in wheat and fruits and vegetables, like bananas, onions, and garlic. Most people can break it down, turning it into energy for the body, but for other individuals it causes stomach aches and bloating.
"Gluten-free" foods may be contaminated: study
People with celiac disease and others who avoid gluten should beware that foods that are supposed to be naturally gluten-free are often contaminated, warns a new study.
UN food safety meeting sets melamine limit
Melamine contamination in milk products was blamed for sickening nearly 300,000 babies and the deaths of at least six infants in China in 2008. Melamine is an industrial chemical used in making plastics, fertilizers and even concrete, but can also fool tests checking the protein content of dairy products.
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Copyright: Sharla Race 2010
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Food Can Make You Ill
Your Complete Guide to Food Intolerance and Food Allergy
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