Health effects synergism

Synergism A phenomenon in which exposure to more than one chemical can result in health effects greater than expected when the effects of exposure to each chemical are added together. In simple terms 1 + 1 = 3. If chemicals have synergistic properties, the potential hazards of the chemicals should be reevaluated, considering their synergistic properties. 

All antioxidants have points of strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, certain points, such as thermal stability, effective concentration, and synergism, should be taken into consideration when selecting antioxidants for use in particular foods. Regulatory status is another factor that cannot be ignored, especially for some antioxidants that have been reported to show potential adverse health effects. Synthetic antioxidants have been tested for safety and approval for use in food at low concentrations on the basis of complex toxicity studies (10). Allowable limits for use of antioxidants vary greatly from country to country, and depend on the food product under consideration (11). 

Because there is rarely actual data on the mixture of concern, an additivity approach (adding all the toxic effects of the individual components) is sometimes used. This approach involves a number of assumptions and has certain limitations due to the lack of consideration for potential synergism or antagonism between individual chemical compounds. Further research is needed on human health effects from chemical mixtures to more accurately predict the risks involved in these common environmental situations. 

Environmental/Health/Safety Constraints Combination effects include both synergism and antagonism. These constraints combine the following activities ... 

The determination of a permissible exposure to a toxic substance requires evaluation of qualitative and quantitative factors including the identification and health significance of the adverse effect the sensitive members of and the size of the exposed population, biological absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion and the possible additivity, synergism, or antagonism with coexposed substances. 

Hodgson, E., and Philpot, R. M. Interaction of methylenedioxyphenyl (1,3-benzodioxole) compounds with enzymes and their effects on mammals. Drug Metab. Rev. 3, 231,1974. Hodgson, E. Induction and inhibition of pesticide-metabolizing enzymes Roles in synergism of pesticides and pesticide action. Toxicol. Ind. Health 15, 6,1999. 

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