Do beautiful spring days have you cooped
up inside, sneezing and sniffing miserably? Before reaching for the
antihistamines, consider the role your gut health plays in allergy symptoms. Allergies actually begin long before the
hallmark symptoms of sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes manifest.
An estimated 80 percent of the immune system
resides in the gut, and when digestive problems set in, immune problems are
sure to follow. A chronically inflamed gut—which causes indigestion, heartburn,
bloating, pain, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel disorders, and more—can send
the immune system into overdrive. As a result, the body can become hypersensitive
and overreact to things it shouldn’t, including pollen, grass, and other
triggers associated with spring. Because allergy symptoms frequently start with digestive tract stress, the gut is a great place to start if you are looking for more than just symptom relief. What causes allergy symptoms? Several factors contribute to the digestive
problems that give rise to allergy symptoms, including: Dysbiosis This
is a very common scenario in which bad bacteria in the gut overwhelm the
beneficial bacteria. Processed foods, a diet lacking in cultured and fermented
foods, and antibiotic use contribute to dysbiosis. Gluten and other food intolerances Gluten
has been shown to damage the lining of the intestines. Also, many people have
an immune reaction to gluten and other foods, such as dairy or soy. Eating
these foods constantly provokes the immune system and damages the lining of the
intestines. Low stomach acid This
may seem counter-intuitive as so many people complain of an acidic stomach,
but, in fact, low stomach acid often underlies heartburn and acid reflux. When
stomach acid is low, undigested food back-washes into the esophagus, which can cause heartburn. In many people, opportunistic bacteria will soon begin to overgrow in the stomach (because stomach acid is supposed to normally kill them off and improperly digested food degrades
the intestinal lining. Eventually, bacteria and other pathogens are able enter into the
intestines, causing a host of additional problems and symptoms. Sufficient stomach acid is even necessary to trigger the
gallbladder to release bile and the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, two additional, important
processes for digestion. Poor liver detoxification Gut
damage causes chronic inflammation, which keeps the immune system on red alert
and can overburden a liver that's already hard at work dealing with the myriad of other chemicals and toxins in our environment. As a result, the liver can’t adequately detoxify
the garbage pathogens that passed through the damaged intestinal lining and into the
bloodstream are creating. This is another factor that triggers more immune system responses and may lead
to allergies. Fix the gut to fix allergies Repairing gut health involves addressing the
various factors above. The exact protocol may vary from person to person
depending on his or her individual needs. However, a great place to start is with an
anti-inflammatory diet that removes food intolerances and calms inflammation,
helping to restore balance to an overactive immune system. We can also use in office exams and highly specialized lab
tests to gain insight into the specific nature of your intestinal problems. Probiotics, and nutritional compounds to improve
digestion, support detoxification, and tame an overstimulated immune system can
also help repair the gut and hence the immune system. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, check with me to see if these ideas and approaches can help you get to
the root of your seasonal allergy symptoms this year. |
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CategoriesBrain and Nervous System HealthCancer Cardiovascular Health Digestive Health General Health Hormonal Health Immune System Nutrition |
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