Study links foie gras consumption with Alzheimer's, arthritis, diabetes, other diseases
{{date|June 20, 2007}}

A study published on June 18 in the American [[w:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] has found a link between the consumption of [[w:foie gras|foie gras]] and other meat products and a number of diseases, including [[w:Alzheimer's disease|Alzheimer's disease]], [[w:rheumatoid arthritis|rheumatoid arthritis]], [[w:diabetes mellitus type 2|diabetes mellitus type 2]], [[w:tuberculosis|tuberculosis]], and [[w:amyloidosis|amyloidosis]]. The link exists in genetically susceptible individuals. 

[[Image:Foie gras DSC00180.jpg|thumb|Liver of a force-fed bird used to make foie gras. A recent study links consumption of this and other meats with diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and diabetes.]] 
The study was lead by Alan Solomon, M.D., a professor and researcher at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and the director of the Human Immunology and Cancer / Alzheimer's Disease and Amyloid-Related Disorders Research Program. Amyloidoses are a group of disease states caused by the deposition in vital organs of proteins in the form of fibrils, causing a range of symptoms such as swelling and kidney damage. The deposition of [[w:Amyloid beta|amyloid beta]] in the brain is central in the origin of the disease process of Alzheimer's disease. Foie gras is made from the livers of ducks or geese that have been [[w:Foie gras controversy|force-fed]].

According to Solomon, "we posit that this and perhaps other forms of amyloidosis may be transmissible, akin to the infectious nature of [[w:prion|prion]]-related illnesses [such as [[w:Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|mad cow disease]]]. In addition to foie gras, meat derived from sheep and seemingly healthy cattle may represent other dietary sources of [the fibrils]. People with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or other amyloid-associated diseases should avoid consuming foie gras and other foods that may be contaminated with fibrils," continued Solomon.

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.worldpoultry.net/news/id2205-20807/could_foie_gras_be_a_cause_of_alzheimers.html 
|title=Could foie gras be a cause of Alzheimer's? 
|author= 
|pub=World Poultry
|date=June 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070618174658.htm 
|title=Certain Foie Gras Linked To Diseases Such As Alzheimer's And Arthritis, Animal Study Suggests 
|author= 
|pub=Science Daily 
|date=June 19, 2007}} 
*{{source|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKN1841958320070618 
|title=Geese get revenge: Pate may cause rare disease 
|author= 
|pub=Reuters 
|date=June 18, 2007}} 

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[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Mental health]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
A study published on June 18 in the American Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found a link between the consumption of foie gras and other meat products and a number of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type 2, tuberculosis, and amyloidosis. The link exists in genetically susceptible individuals. 

Liver of a force-fed bird used to make foie gras. A recent study links consumption of this and other meats with diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and diabetes. 
The study was lead by Alan Solomon, M.D., a professor and researcher at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and the director of the Human Immunology and Cancer / Alzheimer's Disease and Amyloid-Related Disorders Research Program. Amyloidoses are a group of disease states caused by the deposition in vital organs of proteins in the form of fibrils, causing a range of symptoms such as swelling and kidney damage. The deposition of amyloid beta in the brain is central in the origin of the disease process of Alzheimer's disease. Foie gras is made from the livers of ducks or geese that have been force-fed.

According to Solomon, "we posit that this and perhaps other forms of amyloidosis may be transmissible, akin to the infectious nature of prion-related illnesses such as mad cow disease. In addition to foie gras, meat derived from sheep and seemingly healthy cattle may represent other dietary sources of the fibrils. People with a family history of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or other amyloid-associated diseases should avoid consuming foie gras and other foods that may be contaminated with fibrils," continued Solomon.
Health Disease Food United States North America Mental health Infectious disease