Oat, or Avena sativa, is a cereal grain that is grown predominantly in the cool and moist regions of Europe and North America. The seed of the plant is made into oatmeal and rolled oats, commonly used to make breakfast cereals. The high amounts of soluble fiber and proteins in the grains also make oat flour a popular choice for breads and other bakery products. Several scientific studies have revealed the benefits of oats in reducing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, says Dr. David L. Katz of the Yale University School of Medicine. The presence of certain toxins in oats, however, warrants careful production and distribution practices for oat products.
Toxins
Oats are frequently contaminated with toxins known as type A trichothecenes including T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, according to a study published in the December 2007 issue of the journal “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.” Trichothecenes are secondary metabolites produced by fungi such as Fusarium and Trichothecium. Although more than 80 different varieties of trichothecenes have been identified, the T-2 toxin found in oats, wheat and maize, has been responsible for most toxic reaction outbreaks in the United States, says Dr. S. S. Deshpande, author of the book “Handbook of Food Toxicology.” Overwintering conditions with fluctuating temperatures are responsible for the contamination of food crops with Fusarium species and its trichothecenes.
Symptoms
With an incubation period of minutes to days, low white blood cell count is seen with the consumption of as little as 0.1 milligram of the T-2 toxin per kilogram of body weight per day, states the Arizona Department of Health Services. Other symptoms of eating oats contaminated with T-2 toxins include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The toxin may spread to other parts of the body via blood if left untreated, and cause systemic toxicity characterized by dizziness, loss of coordination, weakness, hypothermia and death.
Management
There is no specific antidote or treatment regimen for T-2 toxicity. However, you should seek emergency medical help if you suspect toxicity reactions after consuming oats and oat products. Your doctor may cleanse your stomach and replace fluids and electrolytes in your body. The Arizona Department of Health Services also recommends the administration of superactivated charcoal to absorb the T-2 toxin from your body.
Prevalence
Although trichothecene toxins were found in oat samples, a survey conducted by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency found that the level of these toxins in oats were very low, and benefits of eating oats outweigh any possible health risks. The agency, therefore, recommends that consumers continue their oat intake in spite of the presence of low levels of toxins in them.
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