Allergies, Adrenal Exhaustion, Fatigue and Gut Permeability - How it All Fits Together

Allergies have become one of the most prevalent problems of our modern age; most people seem to have some form of allergy. What exactly is an allergy how is it manifest, what causes it and what can we do about it?

What is an allergy?

To most people allergy is hay fever, or some symptom experienced after eating some specific food. Allergies can be of two types, environmental such as hay fever, usually a reaction to pollen, or a food allergy, a reaction to a food item. Reactions can vary from itchy eyes, running nose to anaphaxtic shock which can involve the swelling of the airways which can be life threatening.

What cause an allergy or food sensitivity?

Gut Permeability.

The major source of toxic material is via the Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT). The intestinal wall is covered with mucus which protects if from attack. If there is damage to the intestinal and/or food is not properly digested, incompletely digested food will enter the bloodstream. This condition is called Gut permeability, or leaky Gut syndrome. What amounts to microscopic "holes" develop in the GIT wall allowing incompletely digested particles into the bloodstream. All the blood from the GIT goes to the liver first where special immune cells called Kupper cells destroy the foreign material. When a person is eating more than 2 or 3 meals a day (snacking) the Kupper cells cannot cope and the liver is overloaded resulting in an overflow into the main blood stream. The immune system will identifies it as an enemy and the immunes system is called into action. This is seen in live Blood Analysis. This requires large amounts of energy resulting in tiredness and sleepiness after a meal. Over time the immune system becomes "allergic" to the substances and histamine is released producing the all too well know symptoms of an allergy. Eventually the nervous system is affected resulting in depression and other nervous system symptoms. The Adrenals become exhausted and the brain is affected with symptoms like poor memory. The Hormones slowly become unbalanced. Women will often show some signs of hormone imbalance. Excess toxic material produced has to be neutralized by the liver requiring large amounts of vitamins, minerals and amino acids (from protein), and have to be eliminated via the skin, bowel, and kidneys. Nutritional deficiencies result and toxins accumulate causing joint and muscle conditions. So you can see every body system is affected.

The Digestive System is the key.

Many people do not realize that about 70% of the immune system actually exists in the GIT. Poor digestion causes incomplete breakdown of food. Just like on a production line, you need to have the material from one stage properly processed before it goes to the next stage. If digestion has not started in the mouth by proper chewing, the stomach has a hard time dealing with the food. If the stomach has not done it's job properly because we have been stressed while eating, the Intestines have poorly digested food come in and so it goes. The mucus lining may be removed or thinned because of low calcium (a component of mucus). So nutrition comes into it. Chemicals in our food will damage the lining, so can the wrong bacteria. Good bacteria protect the lining. Antibiotics will kill them, and these drugs are mycotoxin, meaning toxins produced by fungi. Not all the fungi can be removed during the processing of the drug resulting in a fungal infection developing.

Allergies in Children

Acidophilus bacteria consumed by the infant from the birth canal during the natural birth process sets up residence in the immature intestines, and Bifidus Bacteria from the mother's breast milk in the colon, protecting the lining. Caesarean birth, formula feeding, and chemical ingestion means these essential organisms are not as prevalent as they should be.

Detecting GIT damage

GIT Inflammation and Gut Permeability that results from it can be seen in both live and dried blood (HLB), as can other effects of histamine such as increased immune activity. Liver stress is evident. Fungal infections are also common, causing damage to the GIT and overloading the liver and immune system.

What can we do about it?

It is common to use herbs to suppress the immune system so that less histamine is produced. This can help the symptoms, but is only a band aid treatment. The naturopathic way is to identify and remove the cause. Every system of the body is stressed and needs relief, repair and rebuilding.
As we have discussed, allergies are caused by gut permeability which affects every system of the body. A program must be implemented which will kill off any infections such as fungal infections, and rebuild the damage to the body, especially the digestion and elimination channels. This requires a properly qualified health professional who understands the above issues.

There are things you can do:

1. Improve your digestion.

Eat slower, chew more and eat in a relaxed environment.

Do not eat while stressed.

Do not drink with, just after, and before meals (1/4 glass of water to take supplements is OK). To prevent dilution of digestive juices.

Do not do heavy exercise just after a meal. A relaxing walk is very beneficial for digestion.

Use herbs called bitters to stimulate digestive secretions

Take acidophilus and Bifidus, friendly bacteria to increase the good guys.

Use vegetable based digestive enzymes

2. Achieve and maintain good elimination to Reduce toxic load

Make sure that bowels are working well to prevent taking toxins back into the bloodstream.
Proper elimination consists of a good easy bowel movement after every meal.

The quickest way to stop a reaction is to take an enema to reduce the toxic load.

Drink at least 2litre of purified water per day.

3. Reduce the load by finding out what you are allergic to and avoiding them.

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