This is a simplified description of gibberellin proteins – there are more resources available at the bottom of the page for further reading for those who are interested in knowing more.
What are gibberellin proteins?
Gibberellins are a lesser known allergen found in plants. They are a group of plant hormones found in seeds, young leaves, and roots. As such they are referred to in many studies as Gibberellin Regulated Proteins (GRP). The plant hormones are responsible for seed germination, shoot elongation, flowering and fruit development.
Gibberellin regulated proteins have been shown to maintain their shape after thermal processing and can be resistant to digestive enzymes. This makes them an important allergenic protein of note.
Which foods contain gibberellin regulated proteins?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises 6 foods as containing gibberellin regulated proteins known to cause allergic reactions after consumption of food.
Chilli,
orange,
cherry,
apricot,
peach and
pomegranate all contain gibberellin proteins. Other studies have shown
lotus roots, seeds and flowers also contain these proteins.
Which pollens contain gibberellin regulated proteins?
There are 3 pollen allergens associated with gibberellin regulated proteins including Japanese cedar, common cypress and common cedar trees.
What symptoms do they cause?
Allergy to foods containing gibberellins have a wide range of symptoms and severity including urticaria (hives or welts), angioedema (swelling under the skin), nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting or breathlessness and anaphylactic shock.
What is the importance of knowing whether a reaction is to gibberellins or other allergens?
Multiple allergies are becoming more common and this often leads people to impose a strict restrictive diet on themselves. This can lead to a poor diet lacking in essential nutrients and frustration over a lack of eating options. Knowing which foods are the most likely to be causing your reactions can bring more options back into your diet.
This is why food diaries continue to be an important tool in diagnosis of your allergies – noting the times reactions took place and what medications were taken are a necessary starting point for a proper diagnosis.
There is more information on food diaries
HERE.
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