Lastly, Prof. Wilcox and his team set out to describe how C. diff would grow in a human gut model (a triple phase chemostat gut model) when trehalose is administered (as a potential food for the bacteria) in comparison to controls. A study by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found that ingesting trehalose revved up two strains of C-diff "by more than 500-fold," making the bacterium hypervirulent. Our conclusion again is that the data in the Nature publication are not accurate and the claims are not true about trehalose and virulent C. diff. rev2023.3.3.43278. 2019). For example, Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains trehalose-66-dimycolate (TDM), which triggers inflammation and lung damage in humans [3, 4]. Hayashibara Co., Ltd., (Hayashibara) manufactures a trehalose product from starch using enzymatic technology and sells it in many countries under the tradename of TREHA. TREHA trehalose benefits flavor systems by providing off-note masking, saltiness and citrus enhancement, and flavor stability. This high-performance ingredient can now facilitate simplified ingredient statements. TREHA trehalose is recognized as GRAS by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the U.S. (FEMA). WebTrehalose as specified in the Annex, may be placed on the market in the Community as novel food or novel food ingredient for use in foodstuffs. I wonder if they can just call it sugar? By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Did trehalose play a significant role in the emergence of epidemic strains of, Does trehalose importation correlate with the incidence of, Key takeaways from Prof. Wilcoxs speech at the Trehalose Symposium, Table1. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. How to minimise exposure to systemic pesticides while eating non-organic fruits and vegetables? A place where magic is studied and practiced? But since it makes C-diff more dangerous, it throws into question its GRAS status. WebTrehalose activates autophagy through the activation of Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a key factor in lysosomal and autophagy gene expression. In animals, trehalose is prevalent in shrimp, and also in insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, butterflies, and bees, in which trehalose serves as blood-sugar. Mutually exclusive execution using std::atomic? WebTrehalose definition, a white, crystalline disaccharide, C12H22O11, occurring in yeast, certain fungi, etc., and used to identify certain bacteria. In a recent publication covered by the media, Collins et al. Microbes, plants, fungi, and insects use it as a source of energy and protection against extreme conditions. In this population about 8% had low trehalase enzyme values; however, they are also known to have approximately 60% lactase deficiency, and even sucrase deficiency which is almost unknown in any other ethnic group3. When scientists noticed the parallel between the epidemic rise of C-diff and trehalose deployment over the past 20 years, they dug deeper. Trehalose induced autophagy in blood vessel cells and inhibited a virus linked to clogged blood vessels (the human cytomegalovirus or HCMV), but this doesnt tell us much about its potential effects in living organisms [34]. Then, the level of trehalase remained constant in the intestine throughout life. Our science team is put through the strictest vetting process in the health industry and we often reject applicants who have written articles for many of the largest health websites that are deemed trustworthy. While in vitro data shows that virulent strains of C. difficile proliferate when exposed to low levels of trehalose, in vivo data in humans using appropriate comparisons and controls is generally lacking and the few existing studies have failed to confirm these results. A new publication led by Professor Mark Wilcox (MD) from the University of Leeds/Leeds Teaching Hospitals aimed to fill in the gaps of the previous research paper, and to test their claims under more robust settings. but is for informational and educational purposes alone. Sucrose, or common table sugar, is also a non-reducing sugar. The ingredient, which is supplied by Cargill under the (Especially in the UK.) [7] An industrial process can derive trehalose from corn starch.[8]. [27] Vertebrates do not have the ability to synthesize or store trehalose. Mushrooms, seafood, seeds, and baked products contain small amounts of trehalose. In mice with ALS, trehalose prevented the accumulation of harmful proteins and induced autophagy in motor neurons. Trehalose is a disaccharide comprised of two glucose molecules bonded together. It is often difficult to tell what is accurate in the media when an entire body of evidence is not reviewed. Two molecules of glucose build trehalose, also known as tremalose or mycose. In summary, we can say with confidence that there is no relationship between the importation and consumption of trehalose in humans and the emergence of epidemic strains of C. diff. In one study on mice infected with certain strains of C. Moreover, growth in vitro in a laboratory setting does not necessarily generalize to a human gut. In 2000, FDA approved the sugar as a safe food additive. Trehalose quickly found its way into processed foods in the U.S. and around the world for its mild, flavor-enhancing sweetness and protection of frozen foods. In some store-bought ice creams, its found at concentrations of up to 11 percent. SelfDecode is a personalized health report service, The bonding makes trehalose very resistant to acid hydrolysis, and therefore stable in solution at high temperatures even under acidic conditions. For further information on this subject please see the following URL of National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Nature paper is not a single study, but rather a compilation of summaries of individual experiments each conducted by one or more of the authors listed on the paper. Did you know? JECFA evaluated the same trehalose information concerning people with trehalase deficiency1. outbreaks has occurred shortly after the food industry started using trehalose on a large scale. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I saw a worrying report of an article in Nature, no less, questioning whether the sugar substitute trehalose could be a cause of the recent rise in Clostridium difficile infections. Trehalose binds water, prevents oxidation, and preserves the structure of food during freezing and heating. However, synthetic trehalose was not approved for use in Canada until 2005, and imports to the US did not start increasing until 2007, showing, as Prof. Wilcox described, that its not possible to claim that importation of trehalose was associated with the epidemic of ribotype-027. Trehalose imports postdate the start of the 2003 epidemic by 3 to 4 years and amounts of added trehalose per capita are extremely low compared with naturally occurring intakes of trehalose; this shows that there is no correlation between trehalose imports and the emergence of ribotype-027 and 078 outbreaks. This is important because it calls to question the claim that these genetic mutations are the driving force in the C. diff ribotype-027, 078, 017 epidemics, which leads up to the important question - does the ability of certain strains of C. diff to metabolize trehalose make a difference to patient outcomes? The most common pathway is TPS/TPP pathway which is used by organisms that synthesize trehalose using the enzyme trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) synthase (TPS). Bugs and insects contain plenty of trehalose. [25] Fourth, in primitive bacteria, trehalose glycisyltransferring synthase (TreT) produces trehalose from ADP-glucose and glucose. and other gut infections. In addition, data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that at least one of the virulent strains of C. difficile is actually declining, despite the fact that no active measures have been taken to reduce trehalose production or consumption (Abasi 2018). Animal and Cellular Research (Lacking Evidence). Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets. Dr. Mehmet Oz is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Dr. Mike Roizen is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Most of them preferred trehalose over standard eye drops [20, 21]. Trehalose forms a rhomboid crystal as the dihydrate, and has 90% of the calorific content of sucrose in that form. The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. When orally consumed, trehalose is digested by a specific enzyme located in small intestine, trehalase, into glucose, which is absorbed into the body. S. boulardii increased gut trehalase activity by 25 45% in a study on mice. Too expensive to use, but then scientists discovered how to extract it from cornstarch. Between 2000 and 2006, imported levels of trehalose were <1 gram per capita per year in the USA and England, not substantially increasing trehalose intake. Neotrehalose has not been isolated from a living organism. No clinical evidence supports the use of trehalose for any of the conditions listed in this section. (36 g) for men and 6 tsp. Trehalose A type of sugar, trehalose enhances flavor by adding a mild sweetness to foods (it's about half as sweet as sugar). It can also be manufactured from a variety of plant-based starches using enzymatic processing procedures (Maruta et al. When orally consumed, trehalose is digested by a specific enzyme located in small intestine, 2002). Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide that is found in foods such as mushrooms, shellfish, seaweed (algae) and products made from brewers yeast (e.g., beer and breads). Trehalose (from Turkish tgala a sugar derived from insect cocoons + -ose)[3] is a sugar consisting of two molecules of glucose. which enables users to obtain detailed information and reports based on their genome. Please see Table 15 in the U.S. GRAS Notice of trehalose (GRN 00045) which shows the portion of people with trehalase deficiency in the U.S. and EU countries4. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations showed that concentrations of 1.52.2 molar allow trehalose molecular clusters to percolate and form large and continuous aggregates. Data are presented supporting safe human consumption of trehalose in doses up to 50 g, and the physiologic ability of humans to digest it. In 70 patients with dry eye, trehalose eye drops improved the symptoms, leading to high patient satisfaction. As the result of a thorough safety evaluation of trehalose by the Joint WHO/FOA Expert Committee on Food Additive (JECFA), it was concluded that an ADI not specified was appropriate for TREHA, This determination is given to food substances of very low or no toxicity for human consumption as a miscellaneous additive1. how is trehalose listed on food labels. Because of its unique culinary properties, it is also a highly desirable disaccharide used in a variety of food service applications to enhance freshness and flavor. Approved as a novel food in Australia/NZ. Find the summary of the lecture 'Trehalose is not associated with the emergence and spread of epidemic Clostridium difficile strains' here. Describing his findings, Prof. Wilcox states: we see that actually the trehalose mutations, the gene mutations, are very common. The food industry adds it to dried and frozen food; candy and fruit fillings; chocolate and juices. This site is dedicated to helping For example, you may have seen some criticism of trehalose in recent media reporting based on a recent paper by Collins, It is important to know that because of this paper, the media generated a significant amount of unnecessary fear around trehalose, sensationalizing the small-scale animal study. Concluded ADI not specified as a miscellaneous additive by JECFA. The role of trehalose in the global spread of epidemic. Trehalose is a sugar made of two glucose molecules. Isotrehalose is also yet to be isolated from a living organism, but was found in starch hydroisolates. One other final experiment in the Nature paper that is worth noting examined the metabolism of trehalose in the intestines of three human subjects consuming their normal diets (which strangely were never described in the paper). Information is shared for educational purposes only. A procedure developed in 2017 using trehalose allows sperm storage at room temperatures. Trehalose manufactured using enzymatic technology is also approved in Australia/NZ (FSANZ), Brazil (ANVISA), Canada (Health Canada), China (MOH), India (FSSAI), and is allowed for use in food products in over 60 countries as of 2021. Is there a causal relationship between trehalose and clostridioides difficile. Certain strains of C. diff carry a genetic mutation that allow them to, as Prof. Wilcox describes, more effectively metabolize trehalose; breaking trehalose into glucose, and using the glucose as a growth food substance. WebNow widely used in Japan to prolong food shelf life, trehalose protects foods from drying out, starch-containing products from going stale, and fruits and vegetables from How is it listed as an ingredient? 2019) examined the potential for trehalose metabolism variants to confer a select advantage for the virulent strains of C. difficile by evaluating how common these variants are within the total genetic diversity of clinical C. difficile using previously sequenced isolates. However, upon careful analysis, several concerning gaps in the research are identified by Wilcox et al. [37] In 2017 research was published showing that trehalose induces autophagy by activating TFEB,[38] a protein that acts as a master regulator of the autophagy-lysosome pathway.[39]. A probiotic yeast, S. boulardii, may increase trehalase in the gut, but the evidence is limited. Danielson N.D., Collins J., Stothard A.I., Dong Q.Q., Kalera K., Woodruff P.J., DeBosch B.J., Britton R.A., Swarts B.M. With the rise in C. diff virulence, researchers are working quickly to understand the cause and find solutions to this rapidly evolving disease. And that if it can do that, the C. diff strain will be able to outcompete potentially, other C. diff strains and maybe other bacteria if we find C. diff in the human gut.. It is found in nature as a disaccharide and also as a monomer in some polymers. Trehalose is a secret weapon of the resurrection plant (S. lepidophylla), which can survive months of complete drought. It only takes a minute to sign up. This is a well-known physiological response similar to lactose intolerance in persons deficient in lactase and/or to intolerance caused by a large intake at one time of non-digestible/non-absorbable saccharides such as sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol, maltitol). [26] Fifth, trehalose phosphorylase (TreP) either hydrolyses trehalose into glucose-1-phosphate and glucose or may act reversibly in certain species. This leads to trehalose intolerance, in which foods with trehalose cause digestive issues. Interestingly, the findings indicated that several carbohydrates and amino acids (not just trehalose) caused a 1.5-fold increase in the virulent strains. Fermented products including beer and wine contain trehalose. Through Prof. Wilcoxs research and presentation at the Trehalose Symposium, it is clear that trehalose is not associated with the rise in epidemic strains of C. diff. Mihi B., Good M., Higashiyama T., Swarts B.M., Hruz P.W., Shankar K., Tarr P.I., DeBosch B.J. However, recent findings exposed it as a potential culprit of dangerous C. difficile outbreaks. (pun intended), For a complete list, see Foods and Products With Trehalose. The lack of strict labeling regulation makes trehalose a bit harder to avoid. Trehalose binds water, prevents oxidation, and preserves the structure of food during freezing and heating. Unfortunately, we often see the media provide alarmist reporting on the latest research around food in attempts to gain attention and share news without confirming proper interpretation of scientific evidence first. Scientists have developed a new formulation of aspirin with trehalose that might be gentler on the stomach. Caution: Just like with other simple sugars, you may want to go slow with trehalose because the gut quickly breaks it into 2 glucose molecules. After controlling for all clinical factors independently associated with risk for severe infection outcome, the authors found no significant association between the presence of trehalose utilization variants in infectious C. difficile strains and the development of severe infection outcomes. Joe Cohen flipped the script on conventional and alternative medicine and it worked. Outbreaks [52]: In light of the available evidence, trehalose as an added sugar seems to be safe for most healthy people in recommended amounts. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7923a9eeb2f6170e02935c492ac376c" );document.getElementById("a6cbe26769").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Beware of supermarket sushi (as in, not prepared fresh to order) - trehalose is commonly used to keep the rice from staling. Authorized as a novel food/novel food ingredient in EU. Trehalose is a sugar which, on a cellular level, appears to have therapeutic mechanisms by regulating protein unfolding. Researchers examined the effects of trehalose on animal and cellular models of brain-damaging diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Huntingtons disease. [citation needed] One possible reason for this is that the glycosidic linkage of trehalose, when acted upon by an insect trehalase, releases two molecules of glucose, which is required for the rapid energy requirements of flight. In a cell experiment, this enzyme was 175 times more active than a human form [58]. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Inactive Ingredient. In bacterial cell wall, trehalose has a structural role in adaptive responses to stress such as osmotic differences and extreme temperature. Trehalose is most often used for Other. Another experiment tested several carbon sources (i.e., various carbohydrates and amino acids) to determine if they supported the growth of a particular virulent strain of C. difficile in vitro (that is, in a petri dish). Zhang Y, Shaikh N., Ferey J.L., Wankhade U.D., Chintapalli S.V., Higgins C.B., Crowley J.R. Heitmeier M.R., Stothard A.I.