GUT MICROBE DIVERSITY IS KEY IN FIGHT AGAINST ALLERGIES, STUDY SUGGESTS
CHILDREN WITH A DIVERSE VARIETY OF BACTERIA IN THEIR GUY MAY HAVE BETTER PROTECTION AGAINST ALLERGIES, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH
The findings- published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology- report that diversity of the gut ecosystem, rather than the presence of certain strains of bacteria, is essential in protecting against allergies.
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.10.025 “Low diversity of the gut micrbiota in infants with atopic eczema” Authors: T.R. Abrahamsson, H.E. Jakobsoon, A.F. Andersson, B. Bjorksten, L. Engstrand, M.C. Jenmalm
A HEALTHY GUT MAY RESIST ALLERGIES, ASTHMA
Keeping Helpful Bacteria and Fungi in Balance Is Key, Say Researchers
Dec. 23, 2004 –Allergies and asthma may start in your gut. Upset the gut's natural mix of helpful bacteria and fungi, and allergies and asthma may develop.
The study didn't stop there. The researchers pushed a bit further to see if genetics or other allergens mattered.
They found that the genes of the mice made no difference, and they saw the same effect with several other allergens (pollens, danders, dust mites, and cockroach feces).
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Low digestive enzyme and hydrochloric acid secretion
Research has demonstrated that digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas reduce with age.
Insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes can cause or exacerbate abnormal digestive conditions, such as maldigestion, food allergies or sensitivities, intestinal fermentation, putrefaction and peroxidation, and the phenomenon known as intestinal hyperpermiability, or “leaky gut.”
In addition some research suggests that people with a wide variety of chronic disorders do not produce adequate amounts of stomach acid. These disorders include allergies, astma, gallstones, rosacea, dermatitis herpetiformis, rheumatoid arthritis, and vitiligo.
Laugier R, et al. Changes in pancreatic exocrine secretion with age: pancreatic exocrine secretion does decrease in the elderly Digestion 1991;50(3‑4):202‑11
Wang CS, Floyd RA, Kloer HU. Effect of aging on pancreatic lipolytic enzymes. Pancreas 1986;1(5):438‑42.
Rachman B. Unique features and application of non-animal derived enzymes. Clinical Nutrition Insights 1997; 5(10):1-4.
Gonzalez H, Ahmed T. Suppression of gastric H2-receptor mediated function in patients with bronchial asthma and ragweed allergy. Chest 1986;89:491–6.
IF YOU CAN’T BEAT DEPRESSION, THIS COULD BE WHY
Most people fail to realize that your gut is quite literally your second brain, and actually has the ability to significantly influence your:
- Mind
- Mood
- Behavior
The neurotransmitter serotonin activates your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by stimulating certain serotonin receptors in your brain. Additionally, neurotransmitters like serotonin can also be found in your gut. In fact, the greatest concentration of serotonin, which is involved in mood control, depression and aggression, is found in your intestines, not your brain. So it actually makes perfect sense to nourish your gut flora for optimal serotonin function as it can have a profound impact on your mood, psychological health, and behavior.
GUT HEALTH MAY BE KEY TO ALLERGY PREVENTION
Changes in gut microflora caused by widespread use of antibiotics and today’s high-fat, low-fibre diet could be responsible for a major increase in allergies in recent years, say researchers.
A US team is the first to link gut health to an allergic response in the lung.
Their results, published in the current issue of Infection & Immunity (73, pp30-38), show that changes in the gut microflora of mice following antibiotic use caused an overzealous allergic response.
“Our research indicates that microflora lining the walls of the gastrointestinal tract are a major underlying factor responsible for the immune system’s ability to ignore inhaled allergens,” said Gary Huffnagle, an associate professor of internal medicine and of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan.
“In our new study, we found that differences in host genetics and the type of allergen used didn’t matter. The immune responses were literally identical,” Huffnagle said.
“It confirms our earlier findings that gut microflora are the key to maintaining a balanced immune response, that changing the composition of microflora in the gut predisposes animals to allergic airway disease, and that allergic sensitization can occur outside the lungs.”
“Over the last few decades, ashma and allergies have increased significantly throughout Europe, with an average 10 per cent of children now suffering from asthmatic symptoms. But in western Europe, the symptom rate is up to ten times that in eastern countries.”
“This suggests that a western lifestyle is associated with allergic diseases in childhood.”
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GERD AND ASTHMA-EXPLAINED
Flare-ups of asthma appear to be allergic in nature as most people with asthma have specific allergies. Allergens that can trigger attacks include cat or dog dander, dust mites, cockroaches, mold and other irritants like cigarette smoke.
GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition caused by the repeated refluxing of stomach contents into the esophagus.
For some time a connection between asthma and GERD has been recognized but the reason for the connection has remained a mystery. As many as 80 percent of asthmatics suffer from abnormal gastroesophageal reflux compared to about 20 – 30 percent of non asthmatics.
Symptoms disappeared when patients started a carbohydrate restricted diet.
Certain (trigger) foods, caffeine, or alcohol could relax or weaken the LES muscles and trigger reflux.
Could bacteria, malabsorbed carbohydrates and fermentation be causing GERD and perhaps even asthma?
The human large intestine contains over 100 trillion microbes belonging to more than 50 genera and over 500 species.
HIGH INTESTINAL MICROBIAL DIVERSITY SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ALLERGIES, STUDY SUGGESTS
ScienceDaily (Dec. 8, 2011) – High diversity and a variety of bacteria in the gut protect children against allergies as opposed to some individual bacterial genera. These are the findings of a comprehensive study of intestinal microflora (gut flora) in allergic and healthy children, which was conducted at Linkoping University in Sweden.
Allergies: gut flora affects maturation of b cells in infants.
IS YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM MAKING YOU SICK, AND FAT?
If you have health concerns of any kind or you are overweight, your inner tube could be the root cause.
Your digestive system.
More than 100 million Americans have digestive problems.
Two of the top five selling drugs in America are for digestive problems.
More than 200 over-the-counter remedies for digestive disorders, many of which can create additional digestive problems.
Visits for intestinal disorders are among the most common reasons for trips to primary care physicians.
Most of us (including most doctors) do not recognize or know that digestive problems wreak havoc in the entire body, leading to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, rashes, acne, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, autism, dementia, cancer, and more.
I almost always start helping people treat chronic health problems by fixing their gut, which is what I want to help you do today.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR GUT IS OUT OF BALANCE
To fix your digestion, you first need to understand what is sending your gut out of balance in the first place. The list is short:
- Our low-fiber, high-sugar, processed, nutrient-poor, high-calorie diet, which causes all the wrong bacteria and yeast to grow in our gut and damages the delicate ecosystem in your intestines
- Overuse of medications that damage the gut or block normal digestive function — things like acid blockers (Prilosec, Nexium, etc.), anti-inflammatory medication (aspirin, Advil, and Aleve), and overuse of antibiotics, steroids, and hormones
- Undetected gluten intolerance, celiac disease or low grade food allergies to foods such as dairy, eggs, or corn.
- Chronic low-grade infections or gut imbalances with overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, yeast overgrowth, parasites, or even more serious gut infections
- Toxins like mercury and mold toxins, which damage the gut
- Lack of adequate digestive enzyme function, which can come from acid-blocking medication use, or zinc deficiency
- Stress, which can alter the gut nervous system, cause a leaky gut, and change the normal bacteria in the gut
What happens then is obvious. You get sick.
But what’s important to understand is that many diseases that seem to be totally unrelated to the gut — such as eczema or psoriasis or arthritis — are actually CAUSED by gut problems. By focusing on the gut, you can get better.
Fixing your digestion may take some time, but it can be done. And it is absolutely essential if you want to achieve vibrant health.
Hunter JO. Food allergy-or enterometabolic disorder? Lancet. 1991 August 24;338(8765):495-6.
Benarroch EE. Enteric nervous system: functional organization and neurologic implications. Neurology. 2007 Nov 13;69(20):1953-7. Review.
Lin, H. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Framework for Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome JAMA. 2004 292: 852-858
AUTISM ACCORDING TO SCIA
SCIA believes that children with autism suffer from an ongoing inflammatory process in different regions of the brain produced by microglial activation.
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY MICROGLIAL ACTVATION
Reduced levels of glutathione results in accumulation of heavy metals and can weaken the immune system. Microglial Activation is a key factor not only in autism, but in several other neurodegenerative diseases like the following:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Schizophrenia
AUTISM COMMON MEDICAL SYMPTOMS
- Allergies
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
- Metabolic Disorders
- Neuroinflammation (Microglial Activation)
- Decreased natural killer cell activity
- Low glutathione levels
- Oxidative stress and metal toxicity
- Recurrent infections
- Human herpes type 6 viral reaction
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MICROGIAL ACTIVATION
Examples of neurotropic infectious agents commonly found in children with autism:
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Parasites
HOW CAN MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION BE TREATED IN AUTISM?
Children with autism should be treated to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites under control by strengthening the immune system.
According to scientists, microglial activation can destroy the synapses. If the immune system is treated successfully, the synapses can be completely regenerated and the mental illness can be cured, which means that autism can be cured.
80%-90% of immune system is related to digestive health
TEMPORAL AND FRONTAL LOBE DYSFUNCTION IN AUTISM
Children with autism suffer from dysfunction in different areas of the brain caused by the destruction of the synapses due to microglial activation.
Temporal Lobes Dysfunction Symptoms
- Disturbance of auditory sensation and perception
- Disturbance of selective attention of auditory and visual input
- Disorders of visual perception
- Impaired organization and categorization of verbal material
- Disturbance of language comprehension
- Impaired long-term memory
- Altered personality and affective behavior
Frontal Lobe Dysfunction Symptoms
- Loss of fine movements and strength of the arms, hands, and fingers
- Little spontaneous facial expression
- Difficulty in speaking
- It has a negative impact on divergent thinking, or flexibility and problem solving ability
- Attention disorders
- Dramatic changes in social behaviors
- Difficulty in interpreting feedback from the environment
- Non-compliance with rules
- Careless or excessive risk taking
Most of the autism symptoms can be clearly explained by dysfunction in the frontal and temporal lobes and other parts of the brain.
FOOD ALLERGY HOSPITALIZATION RISE 400 PERCENT
An analysis of the rates of illness and death for allergic disorders other than asthma suggests that systemic allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction in several areas of the body) and food allergies, have soared in recent years.
Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have risen by 600 percent, and those for food allergies have risen by 400 percent. Prescriptions for all types of allergy increased over the past 15 years.
Some of the most allergenic food out there are: Pasteurized milk, soy, and wheat(gluten).
Allergies can put constant and unnecessary stress on the immune system that will weaken it over time, possibly leading to chronic or degenerative disease.
Thorax September 1, 2008
Science Daily August 31, 2006
GRAINS&MORE
Gut health linked to allergies
A recent study done in Sweden entitled, “Low diversity of the gut microbiota in infants with atopic eczema” appears to show that higher diversity in infant gut microflora lowers the chance of allergies, including eczema.
We need to create a rich supply of diverse prebiotic and probiotic colonies. How to accomplish this? Adding fermented foods to the diet such as kefir is a good start. Other fermented foods could include yogurt and kombucha. Also eating a diet high in fiber, especially soluble fibers which are fermented by the bacteria in the gut will help. Should you require taking antibiotics it is vitally important that you take them as prescribed and finish the dose to avoid creating resistant bacteria. You will also need to re-inoculate your system by taking probiotics (antibiotics wipe out both good and bad bacteria).
While this study from Sweden highlighted the benefits of a richly diverse gut colony in infants for protecting them against allergies, I feel that supporting the gut at any time is beneficial. I believe probiotic support can go a long way toward helping to regain or maintain healthy gut function.
GUT BACTERIA AND ALLERGIES
In the new study, mice were given antibiotics to deliberately alter their gut microbiota composition. This resulted in a decrease in beneficial bacteria with an associated increase in blood and lymph node levels of allergen-activating white blood cells known as basophils, and immunoglobulin E, or IgE. IgE binds to basophil surface receptors. This event liberates histamine and inflammatory cytokines from the basophil cells which are capable of triggering powerful allergic responses. The combination of basophils and IgE, or IgE alone, recognizes allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, or certain foods, and signals the immune system to produce inflammatory cells. The result: allergic reactions.
I would suggest prebiotics and probiotics, some cultured foods, and an 80 percent plant-based diet (high in soluble and insoluble fiber), which is the main support for a healthy microbiome (new name for our 100 trillion gut bacteria).
D.A. Hill, et al., “Commensal bacteria-derived signals regulate basophil hematopoiesis and allergic inflammation.” Nature Med. 2012 Mar 25; EPub ahead of print.
THE EFFECT OF GASTRIC DIGESTION ON FOOD ALLERGY
These recent studies indicate for the first time the important gate-keeping function of gastric digestion, both in the sensitization and the effector phases of food allergy.
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Jun;6(3):214-9.
Untersmayr E, Jensen-Jarolim E.
Center of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
THE ALLERGY, GUT CONNECTION
What does your gut health have to do with allergies? Perhaps quite a bit.
Research* indicates that probiotics may: prevent food allergy by promoting better gut barrier mechanisms and lessening intestinal inflammation, reduce the levels of serum IgE, which are the antibodies involved in an allergic response, reduce the Th2 cytokine response which is what creates a pronounced allergic response, and promote the development of and stimulate immune response.
* Ouwehand AC: Antiallergic effects of probiotics. J Nutr. 2007 Mar;137(3 Suppl 2):794S-7S.
von der Weid T, et al: Novel probiotics for the management of allergic inflammation. Dig Liver Dis. 2002 Sep;34 Suppl 2:S25-8.
Erika Isolauri, Yelda Sütas, Pasi Kankaanpää, Heikki Arvilommi and Seppo Salminen: Probiotics: effects on immunity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 73, No. 2, 444S-450s, February 200
PERCEIVED FOOD HYPERSENSITIVITY: A REVIEW OF 10 YEARS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AT A REFERENCE CENTER
Abstract
Perceived food hypersensitivity is a prevalent, but poorly understood condition.
The patients (more than 400) included in our studies were all adults referred to a university hospital because of gastrointestinal complaints self-attributed to food hypersensitivity. Despite extensive examinations, food allergy was seldom diagnosed. The majority of the patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.
Intolerance to low-digestible carbohydrates was a common problem and abdominal symptoms were replicated by carbohydrate ingestion.
Multiple factors such as immune activation, disturbed intestinal fermentation, enteric dysmotility, post-infectious changes and “local” allergy in the gut as well as psychological disturbances may play a role in the pathophysiology of perceived food hypersensitivity.
Scand J Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;46(10):1169-78. Epub 2011 Jun 17.
Lied GA, Lillestol K, Lind R, Valeur J, Morken MH, Vaali K, Gregersen K, Florvaag E, Tangen T, Berstad A.
Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. [email protected]