12h. Immune Health - Allergies

Question 1

What is an allergy?

Answer 1

An immune hypersensitivity reaction caused by exposure to a normally harmless substance

Question 2

What are the most typical allergies that often come together?

Answer 2

Eczema
Hay fever
Asthma

Question 3

Why are babies susceptible to allergies?

Answer 3

Born with a heightened Th2 response

Question 4

How can the heightened Th2 response at birth be balanced?

Answer 4

Vaginal birth
Breast feed
(promotes Th1 response)

Question 5

What hypothesis is thought to be a reason for the increase in eczema and AI?

Answer 5

Hygiene hypothesis

Question 6

What happens with Th2 during an allergic response?

Answer 6

Secretes IL-4-6 to regulate IgE antibodies

Question 7

How does IgE work?

Answer 7

Binds to mast cells which triggers degranulation and histamine release

Question 8

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

Answer 8

Mast cells excessively releasing chemical mediators
Results in chronic symptoms

Question 9

What is the role of histamine?

Answer 9

Upregulates inflammation
Increases OS
Induces IL-31 production

Question 10

What can high histamine be exacerbated by?

Answer 10

Poor detoxification
High histamine loading

Question 11

Examples of SNPs that slow histamine breakdown

Answer 11

DAO
HNMT
MAO-B
ADH
NAT2

Question 12

Causes and risk factors for allergies

Answer 12

Genetics
Birth
Formula-fed
Early vaccinations/antibiotic use

Question 13

Examples of SNPs that are a risk factor for allergies

Answer 13

FLG
VDR
HLA
TNF
IL-13
GSTP1/GSTM1

Question 14

A SNP on which gene increases the risk of eczema?

Answer 14

FLG

Question 15

Which SNPs are implicated in asthma?

Answer 15

VDR
TNF
IL-13

Question 16

How can allergies present themselves in clinic?

Answer 16

GP diagnosis
Presentation of symptoms
Medical history - birth/formula fed, ABx
Dysbiosis
Food sensitivity
Functional tests
SNPs

Question 17

Naturopathic approach to allergies

Answer 17

Reducing inflammation
Reduce exposure to triggers
Optimise gut - digestion/microbiome/permeability
Diet - BGB, anti-inflammatory, low allergenic
Test/support vit D levels
Support stress

Question 18

Nutrients to support allergies

Answer 18

Quercetin
Nettle leaf
EFAs (esp EPA)
Probiotics
Vit D
Mg
Vit C

Question 19

Why is quercetin beneficial for allergies?

Answer 19

Inhibits LOX
Stabilises mast cells

Question 20

Dosage of quercetin to support allergies

Answer 20

250-750mg/day

Question 21

Examples of allergies that quercetin can support (and how)

Answer 21

Allergic rhinitis (reduces symptoms)
Eczema (reduces skin damage)
Asthma (relaxes smooth muscles in bronchi)

Question 22

Why is nettle leaf beneficial for allergies?

Answer 22

Reduces effect of histamine

Question 23

Dosage of nettle leaf to support allergies

Answer 23

500mg/day

Question 24

Which probiotic strains are beneficial in allergies?

Answer 24

Lactobacillus
Bifidobacterium

Question 25

Why is vit D beneficial in allergies?

Answer 25

Increases T-reg activity

Question 26

Why is Mg beneficial in allergies?

Answer 26

Improves bronchial reactivity in asthma

Question 27

Why is vit C beneficial in allergies?

Answer 27

Supports histamine detoxification
Co-factor for DAO

Question 28

What foods should be avoided/reduced in histamine intolerance?

Answer 28

Fermented food/drinks
Alcohol
Dried fruits
Avocados
Aubergine
Spinach
Processed meats

Question 29

Nutrients to support detoxification of histamine

Answer 29

B9, B12 - methylation
C, B6 - supports DAO
B2, B3, B5 - acetylation, MAO-B, ADH