Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease, Nature, Nutrition / 08.03.2015
Do Emulsifiers in Food Additives Play A Role In Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Benoit Chassaing, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr. Gewirtz's lab.
Institute for Biomedical Sciences
Center for Inflammation, Immunity, & Infection
Georgia State University Atlanta GA 30303
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Chassaing: A key feature of inflammatory bowel diseases and metabolic syndrome is alteration of the gut microbiota in a manner that promotes inflammation. Importantly, incidence of IBD and metabolic syndrome has been markedly increasing since about the mid-20th century, and this dramatic increase has occurred amidst constant human genetics, suggesting a pivotal role for an environmental factor. We considered that any modern additions to the food supply might play an important role, and addition of emulsifiers to food seems to fit the time frame of increased incidence in these diseases. We found that emulsifiers, which are added to most processed foods to aid texture and extend shelf life, can alter the gut microbiota composition and localization to induce intestinal inflammation that promotes development of inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome.
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