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Could walnuts and olive oil prevent food poisoning?
Omega-3 fatty acids affect the genes responsible for the bacteria's potency
By not killing the bacteria, it is unlikely to be pressured into becoming resistant
The discovery could help develop new therapies in listeria and other conditions
Walnuts, olive oil and salmon could prevent potentially life-threatening food poisoning by 'switching off' genes for the listeria bacteria, according to new research.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in the aforementioned foods, reduce the bacteria's ability to cause infection by 'switching off' its genes, the study found.
Not killing the bacteria may be beneficial, as they only develop resistance when their growth is threatened, the researchers said.
Study author Professor Birgitte Kallipolitis, from the University of Southern Denmark, said: 'It's interesting that naturally occurring, completely harmless and actually healthy fatty acids can be used to suppress dangerous bacteria such as listeria.
'The long-term perspective is that it may prove possible to develop new treatment methods - not only against listeria, but also against other dangerous bacteria that are currently resistant to antibiotics.'
WHAT IS LISTERIA?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can contaminate food and cause listeriosis.
The condition affects around 1,600 people in the US each year and approximately 100-200 people in England and Wales annually.
It is most serious in pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
Symptoms include fever and diarrhea.
It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women.
If necessary, listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics.
Reduce your risk by reheating food thoroughly and avoiding unpasteurized milk and cheese.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Public Health England
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark tested varying omega-3 concentrations on L. monocytogenes in the lab.
Results, published in the journal Research in Microbiology, revealed that within 30 minutes of their administration, low omega-3 concentrations had an effect on the bacteria that could lead to new listeriosis treatments, according to the researchers.
The fatty acid 'switched off' certain genes that are responsible for L. monocytogenes' ability to cause infection, the study found.
Study author Professor Birgitte Kallipolitis, from the University of Southern Denmark, said: 'It's interesting that naturally occurring, completely harmless and actually healthy fatty acids can be used to suppress dangerous bacteria such as listeria.
'The long-term perspective is that it may prove possible to develop new treatment methods - not only against listeria, but also against other dangerous bacteria that are currently resistant to antibiotics,' Medical News Today reported.
The researchers also noted that omega-3 not killing L. monocytogenes may be beneficial, as bacteria only establish new survival strategies that make them resistant to attack when their growth is threatened.
Omega-3 acids could prevent food poisoning by 'switching off' the listeria bacteria's genes
Professor Kallipolitis, said: 'Bacteria can develop resistance to attacks, and we have many examples of how this merely creates new and even bigger problems for combating them.
'It might be a better strategy to let them live and instead aim to neutralise their capacity to cause disease.'
The researchers hope that their findings fuel the development of new strategies to tackle listeria and other bacteria that are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
This comes after a leading food scientist and travel sickness researcher said 'traveller's diarrhoea' is always the result of food poisoning and not exposure to new food or water.
Cheshire-based Richard Conroy said dismissing symptoms as 'Delhi belly' may be life threatening due to the potentially irreversible lifelong affects of food poisoning.
Source: Daily Mail