Dietary Advanced Glycation End-Product Intake, Wheezing Linked

TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Increased dietary advanced glycation end-product (AGE) intake is associated with wheezing symptoms in children, including wheeze-disrupted sleep and exercise, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Thorax.

Jing Gennie Wang, M.D., from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and colleagues examined 4,388 children from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine associations between dietary AGE and meat consumption frequencies and respiratory symptoms.

The researchers observed significant associations between higher AGE intake and increased odds of wheezing, wheeze-disrupted sleep and exercise, and wheezing requiring prescription medication (adjusted odds ratios, 1.18, 1.26, 1.34, and 1.35 respectively). There were correlations noted for higher intake of nonseafood meats with wheeze-disrupted sleep and wheezing requiring prescription medication (adjusted odds ratios, 2.32 and 2.23, respectively).

“Although we are far from having enough evidence to recommend changes in meat consumption in children in order to reduce asthma, a focus on adverse respiratory effects of consuming large amounts of cooked meats resonates with wider agendas,” writes the author of an accompanying editorial. “Irrespective of the adverse health effects of AGEs, it may therefore now be time to advocate a diet with smaller amounts of higher-quality and more sustainable cooked meat.”

One author disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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