Nickel allergy: foods and diet low in this metal

Nickel allergy is being observed with increasing frequency. It affects women more than men, as 17% of all women and 3% of all men are allergic to nickel.

The allergy becomes apparent when there is skin contact with nickel-containing materials such as buttons, belt buckles, watches, spectacle frames, costume jewellery, earrings, piercings, coins, as well as electronic cigarettes, mobile phones and laptops.

Nickel allergy symptoms

Eczema develops directly at the point of contact in the form of flat red areas or red itchy spots. However, Nickel allergy can also lead to inflammation of the airways and, in extreme cases, an allergic asthma attack. It can appear for the first time at any age.

The skin symptoms usually disappear when contact with the object containing nickel is avoided, within a maximum period of 2 or 4 weeks.

If symptoms persist, a low nickel diet is recommended. A nickel-free diet is not possible, since this metal is found everywhere in nature and therefore in almost all foods, even if only in traces.

If you are sensitive to nickel, in some cases a diet rich in nickel is enough to develop the described itchy rashes. Chronically dry or noticeably rough skin could also indicate a hypersensitivity to nickel.

A dermatologist can easily diagnose a nickel allergy with the help of a epicutaneous or patch test. If a reaction (skin redness/bubbles) occurs within 48 hours, you have a nickel allergy.

Nickel Exposure and Obesity

A study published in the journal New microbes and new infections shows that obesity-related intestinal bacteria are resistant to nickel while beneficial bacteria have a difficult time multiplying in the presence of a lot of nickel.

Therefore, An excess of nickel can initially cause dysbiosis (intestinal flora disorder) and thus contribute to or even lead to obesity.

A study carried out in Italy showed that more than 63% of overweight people are also allergic to nickel. Metabolic syndrome was also more widespread in the nickel group (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar levels). Similarly, the nickel group suffered from increased levels of inflammation.

Other risks of nickel exposure

Nickel is particularly harmful to health due to its contribution to the formation of free radicals, since these highly reactive particles can cause DNA changes, oxidation of endogenous fatty structures and impaired calcium metabolism, as the researchers wrote in a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

More oxidation. The oxidation of fatty structures (lipid peroxidation) alone is considered a risk factor for many diseases such as arteriosclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Risk sugar disturbances. Sometimes an increase in blood sugar (hyperglycemia) could also be attributed to nickel exposure.

Nickel is also a heavy metal that can have numerous toxic effects, including:

Affects sperm quality Associated with arteriosclerosis It is related to endocrine disorders. Cardiovascular problems are also more pronounced in the presence of nickel exposure.

How much nickel is too much?

Since it has been shown that people sensitive to nickel usually only react with symptoms when the intake is higher than the 500 micrograms of nickel per dayyou can design a menu that does not reach that amount.

As for the minimum amount, it is estimated to be around 15 to 50 micrograms, an amount that is already contained in 50 g of edam or gouda cheese, or in 25 g of oats. Therefore, the daily diet always provides the minimum dose and deficiency is not possible.

Foods with nickel

There are food tables that indicate the nickel content, although the actual content may vary depending on the type of soil where the food was grown.

In these tables, you can see really healthy foods among the ones that are very high in nickel, such as nuts, whole grains, some (not all) legumes, and some types of vegetables, but still there are many other highly recommended foods whose nickel content is well below 50 micrograms and that, therefore, can be consumed by most people who are sensitive to nickel.

Foods rich in nickel:

(nickel content in mcg per 100 g):

Pecan: 1,500 mcg Lightly defatted cocoa powder: 940 mcg Non-dairy chocolate (higher cocoa content): 360 mcg Milk chocolate: 150 mcg Black tea: 650 mcg Cashew: 500 mcg Peanut 200 mcg Hazelnut, walnut and almond: 120 mcg-130 mcg Beer up to: 200 mcg Mussels: 100 mcg-300 mcg Rolled Oats: 170 mcg Buckwheat: 190 mcg Edam/Gouda: 90 mcg

Nickel-rich foods are not bad. For people without a nickel allergy, they are healthy substance-rich because they are rich in micronutrients.

Nickel-poor foods

only recommended a low nickel diet if there is a specific allergy to nickel or a diagnosed nickel overload. In the case of a nickel overload, the diet is followed for a few weeks and then it can be slowly switched back to a normal diet.

If you want to follow a low nickel diet, you should largely avoid nickel-rich foods mentioned in this previous list, as well as canned foods in general, since nickel can migrate from metal containers to food. On the other hand, you should not drink more than 2 cups of tea or coffee a day. Besides, these are the foods with less nickel:

Vegetables: cucumber, potato, lettuce, carrot, radish, red cabbage, sauerkraut, celery, tomato, kale, onion: less than 10 mcg Most other vegetables: less than 20 mcg-30 mcg Apple, orange, banana, strawberry, currant, cherry, tangerine, grape: less than 10 mcg White rice: 10 mcg Brown rice: 37 mcg Whole wheat flour: 13 mcg Barley: 28 mcg Corn: 47 mcg Mushrooms: 7 mcg-10 mcg

Keep in mind that iron deficiency can promote excessive nickel storage, while a good iron supply inhibits your nickel uptake. Foods rich in vitamin C also inhibit the absorption of nickel.

Nickel in pots and kettles

Stainless steel pots can contain up to 10% nickel. You can find pots made of nickel-free materials, suitable for allergy sufferers.

Besides, kettles with resistance in contact with water should not be used, since large amounts of nickel can be released.

Nickel in coffee and cigarette smoke

Machine (espresso) coffee contains ten times more nickel than filter coffee.

Cigarette smoke also contains nickel: 1 mcg of nickel per cigarette.

Nickel allergy treatment

If the rash is very intense, causes pain, or purulent blisters form, a visit to the doctor is recommended, who may prescribe antihistamines or cortisone.

If you are allergic to nickel, you should inform your doctor before an operation or your dentist before placing dental fillings, to avoid nickel-containing materials.

Scientific references: