Health Risks and Adverse Reactions to Functional Foods.

Functional foods have become increasingly popular with consumers anxious to mitigate the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle or aging. In spite of attractive health claims, these products do not have legal or regulatory status in most countries and are regulated through their health claims. Regulation of functional foods by health claims does not address health risks and adverse effects of these products. In this essay regulatory aspects of functional foods are reviewed along with adverse effects published in the peer-reviewed literature. We detail why the lack of an internationally accepted definition of functional foods places consumers at risk of adverse outcomes. Our review will assist regulatory agencies, manufacturers and consumer groups to assess the benefits and reduce the risks associated with these products.

Age-related differences in integrin expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Alpha integrins play an important role in cell to cell and cell to extra-cellular matrix interactions required for an effective T-lymphocyte-mediated immune response, however little is known about age related differences in expression of alpha integrins on T-cells in humans. We here measured alpha-4 (alpha4) integrin (CD49d) expression on T-lymphocytes via peripheral blood sampling, comparing parameters between cohorts of young and old adults. No age-related differences were found for the absolute numbers of T-cells, although the percentage of CD4+ T-cells in older adults was significantly greater and the percentage of CD8+ T-cells lower than in younger cohorts. Percentage and absolute numbers of CD3+ T-cells co-expressing CD49d were significantly lower in older adults compared to younger cohorts, and the percentage of gated CD4+ and CD8+ cells that co-labelled positively for CD49d was also reduced in this group. There were no age-related differences in circulating levels of cytokines (Type I interferons) that are known to regulate cell surface integrin expression. Reduced expression of alpha integrins on T-cells may be an early indicator of the loss of homeostatic control that occurs with ageing, contributing to diminished effector T-cell responses during senescence.

Latex glove use by food handlers: the case for nonlatex gloves.

There is increasing concern that continued exposure to latex products can predispose individuals, particularly those who are atopic (allergy prone), to latex allergy. Latex allergy as a serious hazard has been well documented in the health care industry. There are also well-documented cases of food handlers who have had allergic reactions after the use of latex gloves. The contamination of food with latex proteins by food handlers using latex gloves can also result in potentially severe allergic reactions in latex-allergic consumers. We review latex allergy and present the case for avoiding latex glove use by food handlers in the food and hospitality industries. Adopting the use of nonlatex gloves has benefits for workers, consumers, and the food industry.

Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on respiratory tract mucosal defenses in swimmers.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of bovine colostrum (BC) on mucosal defense in the respiratory tracts of athletes and a nonexercising control group. METHODS: An athlete cohort (ATH) of 25 (12 male, 13 female) elite swimmers (age 14-23 yr) and a control cohort (CON) of 28 (9M, 19F) students (age 18-27 yr) were randomly allocated in a double-blind manner to receive either 25 g BC (low-protein colostrum powder) or isocaloric placebo (PL) per day for 10 wk. Postprandial saliva samples were analyzed for immunoglobulins (A, G, and M) and osmolality at baseline, after 4 and 10 wk, and 2 wk postsupplementation. Blood samples were analyzed for immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein at baseline, after 5 and 10 wk, and 2 wk postsupplementation. Dietary intake was assessed by self-recorded dietary records. Upper respiratory tract symptoms (URS) and exercise were also self-recorded daily. RESULTS: There was no significant time-related effect of the BC supplement on either saliva or plasma immunoglobulin levels for either cohort. After 4 wk supplementation fewer ATH/BC (25%) than ATH/PL participants (61%) reported URS incidents (p = .062). No significant difference occurred in URS reports in the control group. CONCLUSION: There was no measurable effect on immunoglobulin levels of consuming BC, which is in contrast to effects that have been reported previously in marathon runners, indicating that the effect of BC supplementation is not universal in all groups of athletes. Fewer athletes reported URS (although cause unknown) when consuming BC, which may be advantageous for training.

Adverse reactions to food in New Zealand children aged 0-5 years.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe parent/caregiver-reported adverse reactions to food in children aged 0-5 years in New Zealand. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in clinics conducted by the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, which is the major healthcare provider for New Zealand's Well Child programme. Parents/caregivers of 110 (65%) children participated. RESULTS: Of the 44 children who experienced an adverse reaction to food, only four were clinically evaluated and had undergone diagnostic testing. Two other children were hospitalised following systemic symptoms. Neither was tested for food allergy. 18 (16%) children had physician diagnosed eczema. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this small study, the data indicated adverse reactions to foods are a public health concern in New Zealand and may be under investigated even in children with severe symptoms. These children remain at increased risk of continued morbidity. Based on this preliminary study further research on food allergy in New Zealand is warranted.

The changing epidemiology of food allergy--implications for New Zealand.

Food allergy (FA) is recognised as an important public health problem in developed countries. Recent studies suggest a significant proportion of the general population has a definable FA. The methods used to study FA influence published estimates of incidence and prevalence. In particular, studies relying on self-assessment are likely to overestimate the condition compared to studies using a comprehensive approach including symptoms, allergy testing, rigorously conducted laboratory tests, and food challenges. Currently there are no reliable data on the prevalence of FA in New Zealand. This has had several adverse consequences including the lack of public hospital services for patients with severe allergies. In this article we summarise the epidemiological data on FA and discuss the implications for New Zealand.

The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on salivary IgA in distance runners.

Secretory IgA in saliva (s-IgA) is a potential mucosal immune correlate of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) status. Nutritional supplements may improve mucosal immunity, and could be beneficial to athletes who are at increased risk of URTI. In this study, 35 distance runners (15 female, 20 male, age 35 to 58 y) consumed a supplement of either bovine colostrum or placebo for 12 wk. Saliva samples were taken prior to training at baseline, monthly during supplementation, and 2 wk post supplementation. Median levels of s-IgA increased by 79% in the colostrum group after 12 wk intervention, and the time-dependent change from baseline value was significant (P = 0.0291). This significance was still apparent after adjusting for training volume and self-reporting of upper respiratory symptoms. This study has demonstrated increased s-IgA levels among a cohort of athletes following colostrum supplementation. While this result is statistically significant, its physiological interpretation must be viewed with caution due to the small numbers in this study and the large variability in s-IgA levels.