Xenoestrogen regulation of food allergy

Xenoestrogens are synthetic compounds that mimic the effect of other estrogens. A large amount of information is available in the literature that xenoestrogens can regulate the immune response in general, and the development of allergy in particular; however, the effect of xenoestrogens on food allergy is basically unknown.

With increasing use of xenobiotics worldwide, chemicals with estrogenic activity have been accumulating in our environment. This review has summarized the current literature relating to the topic (xeno)estrogen regulation of food allergy, and the author concludes there is sufficient evidence to support the notion that xenoestrogens can regulate food allergy However, further clinical and animal studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between the exposure of xenoestrogens and incidence of food allergy, and the underlying mechanisms.

Reference: J Immunotoxicol. 2008 Jul;5(3):259-70.