Ahhh chooo!
Seasonal allergies affect approximately __ of Americans—especially this time of year.
Chalk it up to pollen, cedar, or the “change of seasons” and many folks keep a steady supply of Clariton on hand at all times. Others visit the allergy doc regularly o get the shot they’ve been told they’ll have to continue for years to come.
However, why are some people more susceptible to airborne allergens than others?
And how do we get allergies in the first place?4
(The answers are not in the handout pamphlets in your doc’s waiting room, or the back of that Clariton box).
What Causes Allergies
Allergies are overreactions of the immune system—whether you’re allergic to certain foods or something in the air—your immune system goes into “high-alert” when you are allergic or sensitive to an outside invader (in the air or your food).
An allergy begins well before the manifestation of your allergic symptoms (sneezing, coughing, hives, skin breakouts, watery eyes, closed throat).
The body has to be “set up” to this immune response, and your own likelihood to develop allergies, most often begins from childhood, on.
The BIGGEST culprit, or precursor, to developing allergies?
Your gut health.
Eighty-percent of your immune system is housed in your gut—in other words: the majority of your immune-fighting cells are produced in your intestinal system, and a “weak” immune system is attributed to a “weak” gut.
In addition, healthy bacteria in the mucous membranes of your digestive system also play a BIG role in the health of your immune system—but if these bacteria are low or imbalanced (dysbiosis), then you have LESS healthy bacteria to fight off the “bad” guys (i.e. allergens).
Allergies Start in the Gut
The gut is the gateway to health—and allergies (or lack thereof) are no exception.
The disturbance of your gut health—or “leaky gut”—causes an abnormal gut flora, coupled with an abnormally permeable (i.e. leaky) intestinal wall (mucous membrane), and, consequently: a lack of healthy immune cell and immune bacteria production.
Everything you eat or inhale (allergens in the air) must pass through your intestinal flora as well as liver processing (responsible for elimination and detox pathways).
When the intestinal wall is not intact, or your digestive organs (like the liver) are not up to speed: Hello leaky gut and allergies! (like fo’ real).
How Do I Get an “Unhealthy” Gut?!
A variety of factors and stressors can lead to the wear and tear of your gut lining, or function of your liver, over time—it’s not always one thing (and as mentioned earlier, often times a leaky gut dates back to childhood).
Some common factors that may wreak havoc on your gut include:
- Low stomach acid (often from eating too fast, on the go, acid suppressing drugs, or poor quality food)
- Sugar
- Sedentary lifestyles or over-exercise
- Erratic eating habits
- Travel to another country (and contracting a bug or parasite)
- Surgery—recovery
- Illness
- Antibiotic or long-term medication use
- Birth Control—leading to low stomach acid, leading to intestinal permeability
- Artificial sweeteners, flavorings and processed foods
- Hydrogenated oils
- Grain-based diets
- Dairy, beans and nuts
- C-Section or formula fed babies
- Crash diets
No matter what caused your leaky gut, the presentation is the same: The intestinal wall becomes more porous and large macromolecules of fats, carbs and proteins leak into your blood stream, spurring your body to attack itself against foreign invaders. In addition, the production of immune cells and immune bacteria go way down.
As for the liver, the liver normally screens your body for antigens (outside invaders—like pollen and processed foods), and it normally takes any outside invader and destroys it. However if the liver is not functioning as it should (from lack of proper nutrients and digestion), then the liver can’t work hard or fast enough to destroy foreign invaders and substances.
Thus, in recovering (or healing) from allergies, the GREATEST focus of treatment needs to be on restoring your gut health and intestinal mucous membrane.
What to Do About It
Heal the gut.
The best allergy medication is a gut-restoration protocol, potentially including:
- Eat REAL Food—Proteins, fats, veggies as the base, plus filtered fresh water
- Supplement Savvy—Incorporate this basic protocol for starters (yours may be tweaked if symptoms do not improve in 4-6 weeks)
- Probiotics and fermented foods
- Hydrochloric Acid Tablet(s) with each meal
- Digestive Enzymes with each meal
- Beta TCP (for liver support) or Beta Plus (if you do not have your gallbladder)
- Atrantil (if you experience bloating)
- Drink Ginger Tea or Herbal Tea at night (Bonus: Add L-Glutamine Powder to your tea)
- Outside Forces:
- Sip Bone Broth (use code: “thrive” to save)
- Support the immune system with Mircro-Emulsified Oregano and Garlic (natural or supplemental)
- True Tonic—Like “fire cider:” Sip 1-2 tsp. in the morning and at night.
- Add Peppermint Essential Oils in your diffuser or pulse points.
Poof! Allergies be gone!