Allergies & Gut Health Connection

Written by Arlene Dailey & Mayra Piquant

Did you know that allergies do more than just cause itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose? How about migraines, skin conditions, brain fog, anxiety, depression… These too could be allergy related! 

But why is the body mounting an allergic response in the first place? The answer lies in your gut. Since the GI tract is home to 80% of our immune system, it makes sense that allergies (an immune response) are gut related! The digestive system is a whole system, not just individual parts working independently. If you are suffering from any kind of allergy symptoms, you may need to look at both the upper, mid and lower areas of the GI tract. 

Upper GI and Allergy Connection

Digestive enzymes and stomach pH

Our pancreas, stomach and liver, and gallbladder produce enzymes, gastric juices and bile salts to further breakdown foods. When these are not produced in adequate amounts or are too alkaline, foods do not get broken down properly to be used by the body and can create a whole cascade of allergic symptoms. Bad, opportunistic microbes are allowed to flourish, and other inflammatory responses are triggered!

Mid GI and Allergy Connection:

Leaky gut and mucosal barrier breakdown

A condition called Leaky Gut or Intestinal Permeability develops that leads to systemic inflammation by allowing food particles and other large substances to enter the bloodstream and are detected as foreign bodies which trigger an allergic or immune response. Many health symptoms such as allergies, autoimmune conditions, and gut disorders like Crohn’s and IBS have a leaky gut to blame. The small intestine is where most of the nutrient absorption takes place. When the villi of the intestinal lining is damaged, our entire immune system is compromised. 

Lower GI and Allergy Connection:

Microbiome balance

We have more microbes in our gut than we have cells in our bodies!  Microbes, mainly in our large intestines, influence our immune system.  The microbiome is a network of trillions of microorganisms that live in the digestive system. Within this community there is a large density of immune cells, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and when out of balance, the immune system’s response to allergens is affected. 

Just as the gut can impact allergies, allergies can also impact the gut (a two-way connection) leading to the typical symptoms such as:

• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Gas
• Cramping

When we consume a diet that is consistently high in sugar and carbohydrates, it can lead to a candida or yeast overgrowth in the microbiome. This disruption of balance can be felt with some of the symptoms mentioned above like bloating and irregular bowel movements. But it can also be felt through an increase of food sensitivities. We often see that a person with a fairly healthy microbiome can handle the occasional sweet treat whereas a person with excessive yeast in the gut cannot even handle simple grains like rice or oats.  However, it doesn’t always stop there!

If not addressed, candida can eventually penetrate the lining of the gut causing toxins to release into the bloodstream. This condition is known as leaky gut. Other common problems we see are skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. Yeast overgrowth can also contribute to weight gain and other systemic inflammatory conditions. For this reason, it is crucial to maintain a healthy, balanced microbiome.

The good news is that you can start now! There are ways to reduce allergy symptoms and improve your gut health. 

Food as Medicine

There is so much value in using foods for their healing properties.  For example, consume whole foods, preferably organic or at least as naturally grown as possible. 

• Bone broth and nutrients for gut repair such as L-glutamine, collagen, aloe vera and herbs help reseal the gut lining.
• Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi help repopulate the gut microbiome.
• Spices like ginger, garlic and turmeric have gut healing properties.

On the other hand, there are certain foods that can increase inflammation in the gut that could be minimally eaten like gluten, conventional dairy products, fried foods, sodas, processed meats, margarine, trans fats, and refined grains (cookies, muffins, cereals, etc.). An excess of coffee can also present some issues that contribute to increased acidity and mold in the gut and should be consumed in moderation.

But every client is different, and this is why comprehensive testing is so important. When you book an appointment with one of our allergy specialists, not only will we evaluate your nervous system’s response to over 125 different foods, but we will dig deeper to understand why these foods are triggers to your system. With a holistic approach in mind, our evaluation will determine if there are any disruptions within the body’s overall system including glands, organs, and hormones, etc.

Allergy Solutions - How We Can Help?

The gut is sometimes referred to as the second brain and it plays a vital role in both seasonal allergies and food allergies. 

Solution #1: AAET (Advanced Allergy Elimination Technique)

The advanced allergy elimination technique is a way to reset the nervous system and the body’s response signals to stressors, such as foods or seasonal allergies.

Step 1 - Evaluation - Food and environmental triggers and gut function can be evaluated using muscle response testing to pinpoint the exact stressors that are weakening the system.

Step 2 - Correction - Desensitizing stressor foods to help with tolerance and absorption using lasers and tapping techniques.

Step 3 - Confirmation - Know exactly which supplement sources will help strengthen, rebuild, and/or detox the gut.

Solution #2: 5R Protocol Nutritional Therapy

Targeted supplementation program to Remove. Replace. Repair. Repopulate. Rebalance the whole digestive system.

Step 1 - Testing with either stool or muscle testing or other recommended functional lab testing.

Step 2 - Lab review & protocol consultation to map out the 5R Protocol to include diet and supplementation recommendations.

Step 3 - Begin Nutritional Therapy.

Some of our most often recommended supplements include:

• Ion Gut Support - Strengthen the gut lining, support healthy digestion, improves nutrient absorption and gut health especially for those with multiple food triggers.

• OrthoMolecular Digestzyme - A comprehensive blend of enzymes used to support healthy digestion and maximize nutrient absorption.

• Ortho Molecular PRObiotic 225 – a maximum-strength probiotic for cases of acute gastrointestinal and immune challenges.

• Metagenics CandiBactin-BR - is designed to support a healthy microbial balance and remove unwanted compounds from the body and provide immune health.

In addition to gut healing foods and recipes, brands like Microbiome Labs, CellCore and homeopathic drops are often prescribed. 

Solution #3: LDA (Low Dose Allergy Immunotherapy)

This treatment helps retrain your immune response, so your body gets used to things it is allergic to, like pollen, dust, or pet dander. Low-dose allergy immunotherapy teaches your body not to overreact to things you're allergic to by giving it tiny, safe amounts over time.  

Here’s how it works:

Step 1 - Initiation: You are given tiny doses of the things you're allergic to as either drops under your tongue or injections. The dose is so small that it doesn't cause a big allergic reaction.

Step 2 - Increase: Every 4 weeks or so, you are given a little bit more of the allergen. This is done very slowly and carefully so that your body has time to adjust.

Step 3 -Tolerance: As you continue to get these small doses, your immune system starts to "learn" that the allergen isn’t dangerous, so it stops reacting so strongly to it.

Step 4 - Adapted: After a while, your body doesn't react as badly when you're around the allergen in real life. This means fewer sneezes, runny noses, or itchy eyes and less fatigue, skin issues, anxiety AND you will have a healthier gut and immune system!

Every client is unique. Real Health Medical has had excellent success in tailoring personalized allergy solutions! Don’t let allergies control your life anymore! Live allergy free! Enjoy the outdoors again. Have more energy and less inflammatory related symptoms. There can be a real health solution that goes beyond management with Zyrtec and nasal sprays. Get to the root problem for long term results that allow you to experience allergy relief as well as more positive health changes…like better sleep, less brain fog, clear skin, and more! Call today to learn more!