Common Food Additive in Processed Foods Triggers Celiac Disease

Celiac disease could be caused and triggered due to a common food additive present in some processed foods. The additive is present in sausages, cheese, bread, dairy, baked and other processed foods reveal a study.

Celiac disease is an //autoimmune disorder, where gluten triggers the immune system to attack the gut.

Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is labeled as a digestive disorder associated with malabsorption as well as an abnormal immune reaction to gluten.

‘Providing transparency in food labeling for using microbial transglutaminase and paying careful attention while choosing processed foods prevents accidental intake in celiac patients.’

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The study showed that celiac disease could be caused by a bacterial enzyme named microbial transglutaminase, which is heavily used in the food processing industries to ameliorate food qualities and elongate products' shelf life.

"Microbial transglutaminase can glue together proteins, so it's used to improve food texture, palatability and shelf-life," said Aaron Lerner, visiting professor at the Aesku.Kipp Institute in Germany.

"This enzyme functions like the transglutaminase produced by our body, which is known to be the target of autoimmunity in celiac disease," Lerner added.

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Microbial transglutaminase could in fact be the target of the immune response in celiac disease and its presence in processed foods is therefore a potential environmental cause of celiac disease, said the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics.

To test whether this enzyme causes or triggers immune damage in celiac disease will require experimenting with exposure in animal models, intestinal cell lines or biopsies.

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As there are no known cure for celiac disease, the treatment depends on adhering to a gluten-free diet.

Until there is a clearer answer, transparency and vigilance with regards to labeling of foods processed using microbial transglutaminase is recommended, Lerner suggested.

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The study also suggested a plethora of environmental components that influence celiac disease, spanning infections, food, drugs, vaccination, toxins and metals, abdominal or gynecological surgery, level of hygiene, socio-economic status, life style stress and processed food additives.

Source-IANS