GUTS ROLE IN FOOD ALLERGY/INTOLERANCE
by Kathleen Cole ND
" The development of food allergy is the result of an interaction between food allergens, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system" says Hugh Sampson MD an internationally recognized allergist.
A food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to an allergen which is the portion of a food molecule the immune system considers foreign or a threat to the body. The body remembers this allergen and reacts thereafter when next it is ingested.
The difference between a food allergy and food intolerance is to do with the immune system. A food allergy is less common but involves the over activation of the immune system which produces inflammatory symptoms often immediately or within hours of ingestion. This IgE immune reaction can manifest as swelling, itchiness, inflammation of the mouth, throat, lungs or digestive tract causing diarrhea, cramping, bloating, hives, rashes etc. Common foods that illicit an immune response are wheat, cows milk, egg white, shell fish, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
A food intolerance is defined as any abnormal physiological response or biochemical imbalance that is connected to the ingestion of food and is generally related to an enzyme deficiency, unhealthy digestion or gut permeability. It is often difficult to detect a relationship between the food ingested and a delayed reaction which can also be intensified when there is an increase in toxic load from heavy metals, pesticides, gut bacterial overgrowth and even stress which has a negative impact on IgA levels, an immune complex found in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, gut lining and saliva. Most foods can cause intolerance in certain people but foods that often cause intolerance include dairy, soy, wheat, gluten containing grains, nuts and seeds, acidic foods such as vinegars or oranges, processed foods, and the nightshade family ( tomato, potato, eggplant, capsicum). About half of all food intolerant people crave the foods they are sensitive to. The partially undigested protein in the foods produce peptides which appear to mimic the body's own peptide hormones which bind to the receptors in the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins have an effect on mood, labelled "happy hormones" which is why these foods are so addictive.
As 70% of our immune system resides in the gut any approach to allergies or food intolerance must address the digestive system.
There is a growing lack of diversity and quantity of microbiota due to a western high fat and sugar diet, overuse of antibiotics, chlorinated water, toxicity etc that alters the pH terrain.
Leaky gut is a term used to describe excess intestinal permeability whereby large spaces occur between the cells that compose the gut wall. Inflammation can occur when partially digested foods, toxins and bacteria pass through the small intestine and enter the bloodstream. Intestinal permeability allows absorption of substances ( antigens, lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin) food proteins, FODMAPS) and D Lactic acid, all of which can trigger inflammation and auto immune responses. When the gut wall is damaged, cells called microvilli cannot manufacture digestive enzymes required to breakdown food and nutrient absorption is impaired. The body responds with bloating, gas, diarrhea and other allergic symptoms. Chronic conditions such as Inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, IBS, allergies, Type 2 diabetes and autism all have been linked to intestinal permeability.
Secretory IgA is an immunoglobulin that protects against allergy by binding allergens to be neutralized. Consumption of allergenic foods, poor diet, excess stress and certain medications can all cause a deficiency in this protective antibody.
Some causes of leaky gut, lactic acid accumulation and allergy development:
• diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy and trans fats
• low intake of fruits and vegetables
• low fibre
• alcohol and caffeine
• poor digestion and low HCL levels in the stomach ( 1 Tbsp of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar before meals can increase HCL levels)
• bacterial overgrowth in the gut
• acidosis ( low pH) slows transit time in intestine
• environmental toxin exposure
• physical and emotional stress- Gut-Brain connection (fear of letting go, feeling stuck, holding on to the past, unexpressed feelings)
The solution for healing the intestinal lining is to avoid any food allergens, Eat an anti_inflammatory diet with healthy whole foods diet high in fibre rich foods ( dark green leafy veges, whole fruits, legumes ( always soak to break down phytates) nuts and seeds ( some tree nuts can cause allergies in some people) high in zinc and magnesium (green leafy veges, nuts and seeds, fish and non-gluten whole grains such as quinoa) Eat a diversified diet with plenty of raw and fermented foods for their natural enzyme and probiotic benefits. Start with very small amounts of natural fermented foods such as sauerkraut, naturally fermented apple cider vinegar, kimchi, kefir etc. Drink plenty of pure water with a squeeze of lemon to alkalize in between meals. Aloe vera and slippery elm can help soothe and repair the gut wall.
by Kathleen Cole ND
" The development of food allergy is the result of an interaction between food allergens, the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system" says Hugh Sampson MD an internationally recognized allergist.
A food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to an allergen which is the portion of a food molecule the immune system considers foreign or a threat to the body. The body remembers this allergen and reacts thereafter when next it is ingested.
The difference between a food allergy and food intolerance is to do with the immune system. A food allergy is less common but involves the over activation of the immune system which produces inflammatory symptoms often immediately or within hours of ingestion. This IgE immune reaction can manifest as swelling, itchiness, inflammation of the mouth, throat, lungs or digestive tract causing diarrhea, cramping, bloating, hives, rashes etc. Common foods that illicit an immune response are wheat, cows milk, egg white, shell fish, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts.
A food intolerance is defined as any abnormal physiological response or biochemical imbalance that is connected to the ingestion of food and is generally related to an enzyme deficiency, unhealthy digestion or gut permeability. It is often difficult to detect a relationship between the food ingested and a delayed reaction which can also be intensified when there is an increase in toxic load from heavy metals, pesticides, gut bacterial overgrowth and even stress which has a negative impact on IgA levels, an immune complex found in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, gut lining and saliva. Most foods can cause intolerance in certain people but foods that often cause intolerance include dairy, soy, wheat, gluten containing grains, nuts and seeds, acidic foods such as vinegars or oranges, processed foods, and the nightshade family ( tomato, potato, eggplant, capsicum). About half of all food intolerant people crave the foods they are sensitive to. The partially undigested protein in the foods produce peptides which appear to mimic the body's own peptide hormones which bind to the receptors in the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins have an effect on mood, labelled "happy hormones" which is why these foods are so addictive.
As 70% of our immune system resides in the gut any approach to allergies or food intolerance must address the digestive system.
There is a growing lack of diversity and quantity of microbiota due to a western high fat and sugar diet, overuse of antibiotics, chlorinated water, toxicity etc that alters the pH terrain.
Leaky gut is a term used to describe excess intestinal permeability whereby large spaces occur between the cells that compose the gut wall. Inflammation can occur when partially digested foods, toxins and bacteria pass through the small intestine and enter the bloodstream. Intestinal permeability allows absorption of substances ( antigens, lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin) food proteins, FODMAPS) and D Lactic acid, all of which can trigger inflammation and auto immune responses. When the gut wall is damaged, cells called microvilli cannot manufacture digestive enzymes required to breakdown food and nutrient absorption is impaired. The body responds with bloating, gas, diarrhea and other allergic symptoms. Chronic conditions such as Inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, IBS, allergies, Type 2 diabetes and autism all have been linked to intestinal permeability.
Secretory IgA is an immunoglobulin that protects against allergy by binding allergens to be neutralized. Consumption of allergenic foods, poor diet, excess stress and certain medications can all cause a deficiency in this protective antibody.
Some causes of leaky gut, lactic acid accumulation and allergy development:
• diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy and trans fats
• low intake of fruits and vegetables
• low fibre
• alcohol and caffeine
• poor digestion and low HCL levels in the stomach ( 1 Tbsp of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar before meals can increase HCL levels)
• bacterial overgrowth in the gut
• acidosis ( low pH) slows transit time in intestine
• environmental toxin exposure
• physical and emotional stress- Gut-Brain connection (fear of letting go, feeling stuck, holding on to the past, unexpressed feelings)
The solution for healing the intestinal lining is to avoid any food allergens, Eat an anti_inflammatory diet with healthy whole foods diet high in fibre rich foods ( dark green leafy veges, whole fruits, legumes ( always soak to break down phytates) nuts and seeds ( some tree nuts can cause allergies in some people) high in zinc and magnesium (green leafy veges, nuts and seeds, fish and non-gluten whole grains such as quinoa) Eat a diversified diet with plenty of raw and fermented foods for their natural enzyme and probiotic benefits. Start with very small amounts of natural fermented foods such as sauerkraut, naturally fermented apple cider vinegar, kimchi, kefir etc. Drink plenty of pure water with a squeeze of lemon to alkalize in between meals. Aloe vera and slippery elm can help soothe and repair the gut wall.
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