Chemical Exposure in Womb Linked to Adulthood Food Intolerance

More than 20% of the global population suffer from food allergy or intolerance.  Some evidence suggests of an environmental origin for these adverse food reactions. INRA (France) researchers have shown that perinatal exposure to low doses of bisphenol A (BPA) could increase the risk of developing food intolerance in adulthood.  Now generally considered as an endocrine disrupting chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) has been widely used in the production of plastic consumer goods.  Utilizing a lab animal model, the team observed that perinatal exposure to low doses of BPA caused colonic inflammation, with neutrophil infiltration, increased IFN[gamma], and decreased TGF[beta], with related oral tolerance and immunization to dietary antigens.  The study authors warn that: “the naive immune system of neonate is vulnerable to low doses of BPA that trigger food intolerance later in life.”