The primary underlying factors behind a food allergy or intolerance reaction are dietary and lifestyle circumstances that breakdown our immune system and our barrier defenses. The specific causes that are responsible for the development and continuation of allergic and intolerances reactions are outlined below.
- Genetic susceptibility. Research suggests that there are some genetic factors that predispose people to allergies - no specific gene but rather "susceptible genes" that may influence the onset of an allergic condition. However, not everyone with the susceptible gene will develop allergies - something has to provoke it. Similarly some people without the susceptibility gene can develop allergies and intolerances - other factors contribute to the onset of allergic and intolerance conditions.
- Some child rearing practices. Children should be the healthiest age group as they haven't been expose to years of toxins, stress or poor eating habits - so why do they show some of the worst allergic reactions? It seems that the leading contributors to the problem are:
o Immunizations. Beginning as early as a few weeks after birth the vast majority of children are vaccinated against numerous illnesses including measles, mumps, whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tetanus. Most schools actually require immunizations as a part of the admission process. Recent evidence suggests that the routine childhood vaccinations contribute to the emergence of chronic allergic problems such as eczema, ear infections and asthma. While this contention is controversial a growing number of health professionals maintain that most standard vaccinations impair a child's developing immune system - thus setting the stage for intolerance reactions to foods and other common substances.
o The early introduction of solid foods. Babies are not born with adult digestive systems and they cannot handle foods and will not digest them properly until their digestive systems have matured. A healthy balance of intestinal bacteria is needed in the intestines to build strong digestive function. This does not occur until about 4 to 6 months of age. If solid foods are introduced before the digestive system has sufficiently matured then large particles are able to pass into the bloodstream and set up a sensitization process.
- Barrier function default. We have many barriers in our body that protect us from 'outside invaders' and stop us from being sensitized to substances. The barrier for food intolerances is digestion. If we can digest and metabolize our food normally we do not develop food intolerances. Inadequate digestion for any reason may lead to a digestive barrier default. That is, particles that are too large are able to pass into the bloodstream and a sensitization process develops. Candida albicans and other intestinal parasites are also able to interfere with the strength of intestinal digestion and can contribute to the erosion of the intestinal membrane. They are therefore contributors to the development of food intolerances. As well as our digestive system barriers we have barriers in our skin and our lungs. These can also be compromised and can allow substances to pass into the blood stream and to set up a sensitization process.
- Toxic overload can lead to the failure of all barrier functions. Our food and environment has become increasingly polluted with chemicals and our body's mechanism for dealing with these toxins is unable to keep up. All organs involved in detoxification - which includes the allergy barrier system of the intestines, skin and lungs can become overloaded. The overload weakens the systems and can lead to sensitization. The constant circulation of toxins in the body taxes the immune system and it becomes oversensitive and intolerances to food, airborne agents and chemicals develop. The body has a specialized detoxification system to deal with toxins. There are two parts to this defense:
o The neutralizing and excretion of poisonous substances once they get through the first line of defense.
When everything is working properly - the body's defenses prevent a toxic overload, the immune system is in balance and the body's tissues are protected from harmful circulating toxins. Key parts of the detoxification system include the:
- membrane lining the intestines,
- liver,
- lymphatic system (which moves wastes form the cells to the major organs for detoxification),
- kidneys and bladder,
- skin - including the sweat and sebaceous glands and
- lungs.
The gastrointestinal system is the first defense against toxins and when it is weakened it is the first place to harbor disease. This is one of the facets of how allergies and intolerances, especially to food, begin. Once the bowel is toxic, the entire body soon follows. Undigested food material, bacteria and fungi, usually contained in the bowel escape into the blood stream and set off the immune system. If the intestines are letting toxins through then the liver, lymph kidneys skin and other organs are involved detoxification become overwhelmed. The liver bears most of the burden as antigens and allergens are sent to the liver to be neutralized and eliminated from the body. When imbalances occur the result can be poor digestion, constipation, bloating and gas, immune dysfunction, reduced liver function and a host of degenerative diseases.
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Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies. Visit Dr Jenny's blog and join her newsletter for more quality information.
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