Food allergy antibodies linked to heart disease risk in adults
Official title: The Role of Food Sensitization in Cardiovascular Disease
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11616512 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Many adults have antibodies to foods without symptoms, and this study asks whether those antibodies are linked to higher risk of heart disease and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $453,058 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI179774-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11616512 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with ASCVD or at risk for cardiovascular disease, who have IgE antibodies to foods or are interested in how food allergies relate to heart health.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without measurable food-specific IgE antibodies or with no link between allergies and cardiovascular risk may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will look at whether antibodies to various food allergens are associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in adults. Building on prior findings that cow’s milk antibodies may relate to higher cardiovascular mortality, the researchers will examine other foods and specific heart-disease subtypes. The study will analyze data from large cohorts to see if food-related IgE antibodies and consumption patterns predict cardiovascular risk, inflammation, and Th2-related pathways. If associations are found, it could point to new ways to identify at-risk individuals and inform dietary considerations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve risk prediction for cardiovascular disease and suggest dietary or immunological factors to monitor in adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed a link between cow’s-m milk IgE and higher cardiovascular mortality, supporting further exploration of dietary IgE associations.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Keet, Corinne — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Keet, Corinne
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.