Posts

,

Allergies – and Gut Health

ALLERGIES and GUT HEALTH

Do you struggle with allergies when the beauty of Spring is in the air? If your eyes itch when you should be enjoying a sunny, spring day, strange though it may sound, it’s time to heal your gut…

Let me explain…

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to something that’s generally harmless, such as pollen or dust mites.  This triggers inflammation and produces allergic symptoms. These can range from hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis), digestive discomfort, eczema, and asthma, to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

While quick-fix medications, such as antihistamines, provide symptomatic relief, targeting the underlying casues of allergy, particularly your gut health and function, can provide long-term health benefits.

Did you know that improving your gut health can increase your tolerance to allergic triggers?
This can help you overcome your allergies and enable you to be outdoors without getting teary, fiery eyeballs.

‘While quick-fix medications, such as antihistamines, provide symptomatic relief, targeting the underlying causes of allergy, particularly your gut health and function, can provide long-term health benefits.’

 

Let’s see how Gut Health affects Allergies

Your microbiome (i.e. your gut bacteria) is a foundation of good health, especially when it comes to regulating your immune system and reducing its reactivity.
In fact, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the types and levels of gut bacteria) has been identified as a distinctive feature of allergy.

Research has actually identified differences in microbiome composition between people with allergies and those without.
The imbalance in the types and levels of gut bacteria has been shown to promote gut inflammation, which also stimulates inflammation beyond the gut.
This includes the release of histamine (an inflammatory chemical produced by immune cells), which causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies. 

Fortunately, you can reduce dysbiosis and improve the composition of your gut bacteria through the use of specific probiotic strains (types of bacteria), which help regulate your immune function to prevent and reduce allergic symptoms.
For instance, the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®) has been shown to increase the production of anti-inflammatory immune cells. These act against allergy-associated inflammation and support healthy immunity.

Enhancing your gut bacteria composition has also been shown to suppress histamine release.
Together, these benefits may reduce immune hyper-reactivity and decrease allergy symptoms.

Gut Inflammation can Trigger a Leaky Gut.

Gut inflammation, caused by dysbiosis, has also been shown to trigger a leaky gut, which occurs when your gut barrier (cells that form a physical barrier between your digestive tract and the rest of your body) becomes permeable or ‘leaky’.
When the gut barrier is damaged, food particles, bacteria, and toxins may be able to enter your bloodstream. This aggravates inflammation and triggers an immune response that worsens your allergy symptoms.

Fortunately, specific herbs and nutrients can help restore a leaky gut barrier. These include:

  •   Glutamine: An amino acid (a small compound that combines with other amino acids to form protein) that strengthens the integrity of the gut barrier and reduces the passage of contents between your gut and bloodstream.
  •   Vitamin A: is essential for optimal cell growth and maintenance of the gut barrier, with deficiency of this key nutrient preventing the regeneration of gut barrier cells.
  •   Zinc: is another essential nutrient that supports the integrity of gut barrier cells, with deficiency increasing the likelihood of leaky gut development.
  •   Baical skullcap: a herb that has been found to reduce the gaps that form between gut barrier cells (as a consequence of dysbiosis), causing them to become leaky.
  •   Shiitake mushroom: a medicinal mushroom that regulates immune function and reduces inflammation.

 Support Good Digestive Function to Reduce Allergies

Given the strong connection between the health of the gut and immune system, supporting good digestive system function can address some of the underlying factors that cause your immune system to be over-reactive.

The Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program used at Your Wellness Centre is specially designed to repair your gut and improve your immune tolerance, reducing allergy symptoms.
This approach can help you gain control of your allergies and how your body reacts so that you can once more indulge in the activities that you enjoy.
To find out if the Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program is right for you, consult with a naturopath at Your Wellness Centre.

‘Given the strong connection between the health of the gut and immune reactivity, supporting good digestive system function can address some of the underlying factors that cause your immune system to be over-reactive.’

Overcoming Allergies

If your nose has done more running during springtime than you have, perhaps it’s time to consider an allergy plan with long-term health benefits.
Maintaining a healthy gut is key to supporting your immune function and building tolerance to allergic triggers, and is therefore central to providing a lasting solution to allergic conditions. 

For guidance on how best to improve your allergies, speak with a naturopath at Your Wellness Centre to see how we can help you in your journey to wellness.

 

 

/0 Comments/by
, ,

How to Reduce the effect of Allergies

If you live with an allergic condition such as food allergies, eczema, hay fever, or asthma,and would like a natural treatment, then this is something worth using.

Our specially designed Allergy and Reactivity reduction program is professionally supported and incorporates carefully selected herbs and nutrients combined with tailored diet and lifestyle recommendations.

This will help repair your gut, improve your ability to tolerate allergens, and reduce your reactive symptoms.

Also beneficial if you are not sure if it is an allergy but you get a stomach ache after eating cheese, or bloat and become headachy with certain other foods and so won’t have a bar of say wheat or onions or garlic.

On the other hand, if food isn’t your issue, but pollens and certain grasses leave your skin desperately itchy or a cat sends you into a sneezing frenzy, then this will be good for you too.

Pretty unusual reactions to common substances:

So why does your body react this way?
It is because your body believes that these otherwise harmless substances (animal hair, foods, and grasses) are threatening.

And so, when it comes into contact with these substances, (in this case they are known as allergens,) your immune system releases large amounts of the chemical histamine.

Histamine is like a burly bouncer outside a club: its job is to muscle an allergen out of your body by any means necessary.

Some of the ways histamine does this job is by producing redness and inflammation, a running nose, itchy eyes, constricted airways, bloating, and diarrhoea. All these are signs of allergic disease.

Current approaches to allergy management involve avoiding the allergen and reducing histamine (e.g. antihistamine medication).

 

But why does your body think these substances are harmful and mount this response against them in the first place?

There are several contributing factors that lead your body’s immune system to respond this way.

They include:

1) Inflammation within your digestive tract (where the majority of your immune system is found).

2) Damage to the lining of your digestive tract commonly known as ‘leaky gut, allows small particles (undigested food, bacteria, and/or toxins) to pass through to the bloodstream causing inflammation in other areas of the body).

3) Low levels of good bacteria and/or an overgrowth of bad bacteria within your intestine that interferes with your body’s immune response.

Address the roots of your reactivity

Truly holistic allergy management encompasses symptomatic relief while also retraining the body’s immune system to tolerate ‘threatening’ allergens.

Using our Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program while being guided by your Naturopath does just that! 

So ring 9879 9596 for an appointment to see how we can help you

Ingredients that reduce reactivity

A number of herbs and nutrients can help you manage your symptoms of allergy and reactivity; by helping to restore balance to your immune system.

Tailored Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations

Following a prescribed diet in conjunction with specialised supplementation greatly assists in reducing symptoms and building tolerance to allergens.

Your Naturopath will recommend a specific dietary plan depending on your symptom presentation and health history.

While following the Allergy and Reactivity Reduction Program you will ‘rest’ from foods that may be creating inflammation and damage within your gut, giving your immune system an opportunity to ‘reset’ and become more tolerant.

Your Naturopath may also work with you to strategically re-test the foods you have been ‘resting’ from to find the right amount for you in the future.

This means you can remain symptom-free, while still enjoying the foods and activities you love.

Time to Eat and Do what you Love

Now is a time you can address those irritating allergic symptoms by tackling the underlying causes.

Completing this program can help you gain control of your reactivity and increase your tolerance levels, leading to a reduction in symptoms.

Imagine indulging in the foods and activities you enjoy; patting your dog without sneezing, eating the foods you love without bloating, or having a picnic in the grass without itching – now that would be life-changing!

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Beat the Flu, Prevent Colds & Strengthen Immunity

Beat the Flu, Prevents Colds & Strengthen Immunity

Lady is having an allergy, she needs allergy testingCurrent reports state that one of the strains in the flu vaccine used this year has mutated. So if this is what you normally do to keep the flu away, then perhaps it’s time to look for some natural assistance!

So just what can you do to really help beat the flu, prevent colds and strengthen immunity?

We encourage you to do your best to prevent catching a cold or getting the flu. You can keep up your exercise, you can eat well, and you can take all the good supplements.

Despite all this, if stress or other life events interfere with these healthy habits, you might just find yourself ‘under the weather. So keep reading to see how to get on top of it all.

Oh and this does not include taking antibiotics. What many people may not realise is that antibiotics only target bacteria and are not able to kill the viruses responsible for colds and flu.

Here, I share with you some of the herbs and nutrients we use at our naturopathic clinic in Ringwood to help manage these viral infections and keep your immune defences strong.

Herbal Helpers

Elderberry - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

A number of traditional herbs have been clinically shown to improve immune function and reduce symptoms of the common cold and flu.

The Ayurvedic herb Andrographis can reduce both the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.

Picorrhiza has been used traditionally in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system. It is now understood that this herb has both anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating actions.

Elderberry is a mainstay of traditional Western herbalism for its anti-catarrhal and fever-reducing activity. It helps to relieve acute cold symptoms as well as recurrent coughs.

If you are unwell with a respiratory virus, our Naturopaths can recommend a herbal formula that contains these immune-supporting herbs.

Medicinal Mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in Asian cultures and are now known to have strong antiviral activity.

The immune-boosting potential of reishi, shiitake, cordyceps, and Coriolus mushrooms has been extensively studied.

Not only can they help reduce the length and severity of an acute cold, but they can help prevent future recurrences.

Getting Rid of the ‘Gunk’

Mucus and phlegm are signs that your immune system is hard at work, but the resulting congestion can lead to blocked sinuses and breathing difficulty.

The decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial essential oils of eucalyptus, thyme, lavender, and peppermint may help to reduce the nasal and sinus congestion that accompanies upper respiratory tract infections.

Mucus congestion can also cause irritating or chesty coughs.

Licorice - Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy

Liquorice is recognised in Western herbal medicine for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.

An extract of liquorice root can reduce irritation of the respiratory mucous membranes, helping to soothe dry coughs and relieve mild bronchitis.

The Ayurvedic herb Adhota is a helpful bronchodilator also with expectorant properties. By encouraging the clearing of congestion-causing phlegm, your airway becomes more open and that irritating wheeze reduces.

If you are coughing or your sinuses are blocked, speak with your Naturopath about an appropriate formula containing these mucus-busting herbs and essential oils.

From the above, a naturopath at our Ringwood naturopathic clinic can formulate a specific combination of ingredients just for you!

Super Charge Your Immunity

Give your immune system a head start by incorporating these healthy habits into your diet and lifestyle: Eat fresh fruits and veggies.

Fresh veggies and nuts - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyAim for at least two serves of fruit and three cups of vegetables daily.
Fill your plate with a rainbow of colour to provide nutrients and antioxidants to help build strong immunity.

Lightly cooked vegetables are a nourishing option in winter.

Eliminate inflammatory foods:
Sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy, and wheat can all be inflammatory and may suppress immune function.

Avoid mucus-promoting, inflammatory foods such as dairy and processed foods.

Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost as you blow your nose repeatedly;

Reduce stress:
Stress steals energy and nutrients from your immune system, leaving you susceptible to getting sick.

Enjoy the benefits of scheduling time out, meditation and time spent in nature.

Exercise regularly:
Remaining active not only makes you feel good; it also reduces the frequency of contracting a cold by up to 46%.

Sleep soundly:
Sleep - Your Wellness Centre NaturopathyThe lifestyle prescription when you are unwell is to get lots and lots of sleep!

Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night to restore energy and allow your immune system to regain its strength and resilience.

The Lost Art of Convalescence

In this modern world, you may feel obliged to ‘soldier on’ despite coughing, sneezing and so operate at less than your best.

Taking the time to rest and recuperate reduces the risk of spreading the infection to your colleagues and helps you to recover sooner.

Fight Back and Stay Well
This means that you can Embrace Winter instead of fearing it.

So, If winter for you means multiple colds, days off work or catching yet another flu from a sick family member or colleague, embrace immune-boosting Natural Medicines and let this be your season of change.

And even if a cold or the flu finds its way to you this winter and is stopping you from performing at your best, don’t despair – naturopaths in Ringwood can recommend a herbal or nutritional formula with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, and immune-boosting power to support you and help get you back to health again.

Take the step toward a healthier you!

For further help or advice do Contact us Or
you can also make a booking online.

 

Your Wellness Centre Naturopathy Melbourne

 

/0 Comments/by