SULPHITES INTOLERANCE TO GENETIC TESTING

FOOD PRESERVATIVE

Sulfites are substances used since ancient times as a preservative. The Romans and the Egyptians employed sulfur dioxide by bacteria to clean up the fermenting vats where the vino.Tuttavia their use has become impressive only in the last century in conjunction with the new dietary requirements dictated by the development of the industrial system. Sulphites and derivatives are now used in large quantities in many foods in order to maintain their natural color and prevent the growth of microorganisms , get whitening where necessary, and even in the production of cellophane for packaged foods ; still to prevent rusting and fouling of boilers and are also used in medicines to prolong the therapeutic activity. They can be important source of sulphites: wine and spirits , bakery products such as bread , cookies , crackers , dried fruit , jams , jellies , syrups , fruit juices , fish , shellfish , molluscs , hot dogs , sausages , preserving species in alcohol , potatoes and derived products such as frozen chips , puree , chips , canned tomato , the candy , the packaged snacks , certain drugs.

WARNING LABELS ON THE INITIALS OF FOOD: E220 – E221 – E222 – E223 – E224 – E225 – E226 – E227 INDICATE THE PRESENCE OF OR CONSEQUENTIAL SULPHITES in the food.

INTOLERANCE BY SULPHITES

In healthy individuals , at the doses commonly used in the food industry , sulfur dioxide is considered to be a safe additive ; it is in fact also a natural compound produced by the body during the metabolism of certain amino acids and easily inactivated by detoxification systems endogenous. Despite this assurance the use of sulfur dioxide and sulphites can cause problems , sometimes serious , people prepared. The contact of sulphites food with gastric acidity generates a certain amount of sulfur dioxide , which represents one of the most effective in inducing gas attacks of bronchospasm in susceptible. Are particularly at risk of being subjected to this kind of reaction even people allergic to aspirin. In susceptible individuals , even small quantities , can trigger serious consequences; unfortunately it is very difficult to determine how many sulfites ingest or inhale; by law it is not mandatory to indicate their presence if the quantity is less than 10 mg / kg or lt. All this makes it essential prior knowledge of the tolerability of these preservatives or less.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

The damage caused by sulphites can: Cause allergic reactions or allergies with respiratory manifestations: rhinitis , hives , dysentery , asthma. Cause alterations in vitamin: sulfur dioxide and sulphites destroy thiamine and cyanocobalamin two vitamins are very important.. Overloading the detoxification system causing headaches. Interacting with cortisone

THE GENETIC TEST FOR INTOLERANCE TO SULPHITES

The genetic test is easy to perform , painless and non-invasive and provides a simple saliva collection. Are analyzed 4 gene mutations SUOX Sulfite Oxidase ( Q364X , S370S , S370Y , TAGA) and 2 in the CBS gene ( C699T , T1080C) involved in the detoxification of sulfites in the body. These polymorphisms , causing major deficiencies including that of vitamin B12, and an imbalance in the metabolism of homocysteine ​​blood , are also associated with a reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease. In the case of CBS SUOX and altered it is useful to avoid as well as foods that contain sulfites also foods rich in sulfur , some supplements , with caution and monitor certain drugs used as antihypertensive , antibiotics or chelating.