Asthma

The incidence of asthma is rising rapidly, and the reasons include:

• increase stress on the immune system duet to factors such as greater chemical pollution in the air, water, insect allergens (mostly from dust mites), and food
• earlier weaning and earlier introduction of solid foods to infants
• food additives
• higher incidence of obesity
• genetic manipulation of plants, resulting in food components with greater allergenic tendencies; in addition, certain genetic variables may make certain individuals more susceptible to asthma

Asthma has been divided into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic or atopic asthma is generally considered and allergic condition with a characteristic increase in IgE – the antibody produced by white blood cells that can bind to specialized white blood cells, known as mast cells, and cause the release of mediators such as histamine. Intrinsic asthma is associated with a bronchial reaction that is due not to an allergy but rather to such factors as chemicals, cold air, infection etc. Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors trigger the release from mast cells of chemicals that mediate inflammation. The inflammatory mediators are responsible for the sings and symptoms of asthma.

The first step in the natural approach is to reduce allergic tendencies and that’s where assessing and correcting the gut health plays an important role.

Many studies have indicated that food allergies play an important role in asthma. Adverse reactions to food may be immediate or delayed. Sometimes as simple as lack of stomach acid production may be responsible for food allergies. Another important consideration is overgrowth of the common yeast Candida albicans. As a result of increased gut permeability due to either a leaky gut or candida there is a greater antigen load on the immune system.

It is essential to identify offending foods as soon as possible to avoid the development of further allergies.