Diet and Nickel Allergy

Nickel In Food

Food is considered to be a major source of nickel exposure for the general population. Nickel content in food varies considerably from place to place due to the difference in nickel content of the soil. 

 

However, certain foods are predictably high in nickel content. When a nickel-sensitive person  eats  foods that are high in nickel content, it can provoke dermatitis.  A person with nickel allergy can improve dermatitis responses by making a concentrated effort to reduce the amount of nickel content in his diet. Reducing daily nickel content in food will make a positive impact dermatitis and allergic responses

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Nickel is found in soil, water, air and in the biosphere. The concentration of nickel normally encountered is as follows:

Soil 5-500 grams (may be higher locally)

Plant tissue 0.5-5 grams (may be higher locally)

Animal tissue 0.1-5 grams

Fresh water 5-100 grams per litre

         Relationship Between Nickel and Diet


                       

Land plant tissue contains four times more nickel than that of animal tissues. This is because most of the human food that comprises both plants and animals acquire their nutrition from soil; therefore, the nickel content of food is strongly influenced by the concentration of nickel in the soil. The concentration of nickel in the soil varies from place to place. Some of the important factors that influence the concentration of nickel in soil are: 1.Type of soil

2.Use of modern agricultural practices such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

 3.Contamination of soil with industrial effluents and urban wastes

 4.Distance of the soil from the nickel smelters

Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology

http://flipper.diff.org/app./items/info/5325

 

Foods That Are High In Nickel Content

Whole wheat, whole grain, rye, oat, millet, buckwheat, cocoa, chocolate, tea, gelatin, baking powder, soy products, red kidney beans, legumes: peas, lentils, peanut, soya beans and chickpeas, dried fruits, canned foods, beverages, strong licorice, and certain vitamin supplements

                Other foods containing considerable amount of nickel

Beer, red wine, mackerel, tuna, herring and shellfish, sunflower seeds, linseeds, hazelnuts, marzipan, walnuts, tomatoes, onion, raw carrots

Implementing a Low-Nickel Diet

Nickel is a  trace metal that is found everywhere. You must face the fact that nickel cannot be completely avoided from your diet. However, careful selection of foods that are relatively low in nickel concentration can bring a reduction in the total dietary intake of nickel per day.

1. Avoid all foods that are routinely high in nickel content
2. Avoid all drinks, vitamin supplements & canned food with high nickel content. Nickel from the can may raise the nickel content of the food.
3. Since animal tissues generally contain less nickel than plant tissues, make sure to eat plenty of animal protein. Meat, poultry & eggs are suitable for low nickel diet.Most fish can be included in a low-nickel diet (except tuna, herring, shellfish, salmon and mackerel).
4. Milk products, such as butter, cheese, curd and cottage cheese
   are low in nickel.
5. Nickel content of cereals is low. Rice (polished), refined wheat or corn (corn flakes, macaroni, etc.) are allowed.
6. Eat vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, & cucumber. Use onion and garlic in moderation. Green leafy vegetables may be eaten sparingly due to the possibility of high concentration of nickel.
7. Fruits: Apples (may eat 3-4 times per week), oranges (may eat 3-4 times per week), bananas (may be eaten 1 time per week).
8. Tea and coffee may be consumed in weaker concentration, these beverages can be taken in moderation (up to 2 cups a day).
9. While cooking, the following things have to be considered:
   
   (a) Nickel-plated utensils should not be used and should be replaced. Acidic food should not be cooked in stainless steel utensils as the acids may lead to the dissociation nickel from the the utensils and it may increase the nickel content of the food.
   
   (b) The initial water flow from the tap in the morning should not be drunk or used for cooking as nickel may be released from the tap during night.

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So once you start to look at the numbers and the list of foods that contain high amounts of nickel, it becomes clear how important diet is to reducing dermatitis and nickel allergy symptoms.  

The biggest challenge is to remember the various foods that are high in nickel content, so you can make dietary decisions easily throughout your daily routines.  (THAT is what has been my biggest challenge!)