Allergies have increased so rapidly in children over the last decade it has been described by researchers and doctors alike as an epidemic.
The rise in allergies has been particularly noticeable in Australia and the UK. Food allergy now affects about 7% of children in the UK and 9% of those in Australia. But it's not just food allergy that is on the increase, allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma are also increasing.
Immunity, The Gut, GALT and T-Regs
Imbalance of the human gut microbiome in early childhood is a risk factor for allergies. Our body's immune response is largely regulated by T regulatory cells (T-regs) through the gut associated lymphatic tissue (GALT). GALT resides in our digestive system and covers an area of approximately 260-300m2.
T-regs reach up through the gut mucosa, sampling our microbiome and the environment of the gut, priming our immune response to be allergic, or not, by talking to our immune system. For example, if our microbiome is mainly bacteria that isn't healthy, we are more likely to prime our immune system to mobilise IgE and Mast Cell responses, which lead to allergy symptoms.
Our GALT is also responsible for making IgA, which is the body's first line of defence in our gut and protects us against nasty bacteria that can cause a lot of harm to our body.
Allergy Support at Vitascript
At Vitascript we treat your microbiome, by using a special probiotic that has been clinically trialled and shown to reduce allergy symptoms by down regulating IgE and Mast Cell activation. In fact it is being trialled at Griffith University now with incredible results. This probiotic has just been released in Australia and is available via prescription only. We have been seeing incredible results in the short time we have been using it. In addition, work closely with you to reduce your allergenic triggers, calm and balance your immune response, and restore your gut health. Herbal remedies such as Albizia, Baical Skullcap and Nigella have been shown to reduce mast cell activation and thus histamine release, and thus can provide relief while we work to balance your immune system for long term allergy management. Low stomach acid and gut disorders contribute to the allergenic load and restoration of your gut-immune health is a key strategy at Vitascript.
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