Mechanisms of Nickel-Induced Cell Damage in Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Nutritional Intervention Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity to nickel is a very common cause of allergic contact dermatitis since this metal is largely present in industrial and consumer products as well as in some commonly consumed foods, air, soil, and water. In nickel-sensitized individuals, a cell-mediated delayed hypersensitivity response results in contact to dermatitis due to mucous membranes coming in long-term contact with nickel-containing objects. This process involves the generation of reactive oxidative species and lipid peroxidation-induced oxidative damage. Immunologically, the involvement of T helper (h)-1 and Th-2 cells, as well as the reduced function of T regulatory cells, are of importance. The toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of nickel are attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of oxidative damage via lipid peroxidation, which results in DNA damage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to identify nutritionally actionable interventions that can intercept nickel-induced cell damage due to their antioxidant capacities. CONCLUSION: Nutritional interventions may be used to modulate immune dysregulation, thereby intercepting nickel-induced cellular damage. Among these nutritional interventions are a low-nickel diet and an antioxidant-rich diet that is sufficient in iron needed to minimize nickel absorption. These dietary approaches not only reduce the likelihood of nickel toxicity by minimizing nickel exposure but also help prevent oxidative damage by supplying the body with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.

Mindful Eating: A Review Of How The Stress-Digestion-Mindfulness Triad May Modulate And Improve Gastrointestinal And Digestive Function.

Much research associated with mindful eating pertains to weight loss, so this review is novel in that it explores mindful eating in a broader context of it attenuating the widespread problem of chronic stress disturbing gastrointestinal function. This attenuation is rooted in stress offsetting biological homeostasis and mindfulness being a widely studied stress-reduction intervention due to its ability to promote parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) dominance. The stress-digestion-mindfulness triad is a hypothesized construct, integrating what is understood about the digestive system with literature about the nervous system, neuro-endocrine-immune signaling, stress, and mindfulness. Thus, the plausibility of mind-body practices (e.g., mindful eating), which maintain PSNS dominance, helping to cultivate autonomic nervous system (ANS) homeostasis vital for optimal digestive function is established. The clinical utility of the stress-digestion-mindfulness triad involves a clinician-friendly application of mindful eating to improve digestive function.