Food Sensitivities and Cardiovascular Health

• December 8, 2023

In a study published by The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers investigated the association between sensitization to common food allergens and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Traditionally, food-specific IgE in individuals without symptomatic food allergy is considered clinically irrelevant. However, recent studies have suggested a potential link between galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) IgE and CV disease. The objective was to determine if sensitization to common food allergens is linked to an increased risk of CV mortality.

The study analyzed data from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort, which enrolled adults without baseline clinical CV diseases between 2000 and 2002. Total and specific IgE levels were measured for various allergens. Cox proportional hazard models were used, adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors.

The results showed that adults sensitized to at least one food had a higher risk of CV mortality in both NHANES (hazard ratio [HR] 1.7) and MESA (HR 3.8). Milk sensitization, in particular, was strongly associated with increased CV mortality. Further analysis in NHANES revealed that shrimp and peanut sensitization also posed additional risk factors for CV mortality among consumers of the relevant allergen.

This study challenges the prevailing notion that sensitization without overt allergy is benign, as it found an association between food sensitization and an elevated risk of CV mortality. The researchers emphasize the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms of this association.

Access Medical Labs’ foodANALYZER is a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians to assess patients’ food sensitivities and potentially stratify their CV risk based on the observed associations between food sensitization and higher CV mortality. Additionally, the cardioPRO panel, designed for heart health assessment, could complement these findings by offering a comprehensive analysis of various cardiovascular risk factors. Explore these tools to empower a proactive and personalized approach to patient care.