Did Crohn disease evolve with the advent of refrigerators?
Crohn Disease December 29, 2003 Authors of a newly published hypothesis paper propose that the emergence of Crohn disease in the second half of the 20th century – the same time that domestic refrigerators became widely available – is no coincidence. The authors suggest that certain types of bacteria that can survive in refrigerated food may be implicated in Crohn disease. Crohn disease is thought to be caused by environmental factors (diet, lifestyle, smoking) among genetically susceptible individuals. Mutations in CARD15, a gene involved in innate immunity, are known to predispose people to the disease. Jean-Pierre Hugot from Hopital Robert Debre, Paris, and colleagues discussed in the December 13, 2003, issue of the Lancet the cold-chain hypothesis (the production and storage of food in low temperatures) as a potential major risk factor for Crohn disease. Hugot noted, “All findings point to refrigeration as a potential risk factor for Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, cold-chain developm
