Allergy and immune system
An allergy is an immune system issue! The immune system reacts to something foreign. This “foreign” (Greek: állos) are the allergy-causing substances, such as pollen. These must pass through the outer protective layer, usually via the skin and mucous membranes, into the underlying tissue.
There a reaction cascade occurs, at the end of which histamine is produced. This histamine leads to the well-known allergic symptoms.
4 types of allergies
Type I: The immediate type allergy. The allergic reaction appears immediately after contact with the allergen (pollen, house dust mites, animal hair, insect bites, medications, etc.)
Type I allergies can be severe if there is a massive release of histamine.
Group E antibodies are formed. This means that the immune system is sensitized to the corresponding allergens.
Type 2: Allergy (cytotoxic reaction) – It is mediated by IgM and IgG, which are directed against antigens on the body’s own cells. These antigens can be, for example, blood group antigens, but they are often medications that settle on the cell surface. For example: drug-induced agranulocytosis or thrombocytopenic purpura.
Type 3: Allergy (immune complex reaction) – In an immune reaction, antigens are opsonized (marked) by antibodies and form an immune complex. Which is then rendered harmless by defense cells (phagocytes). If too many of these immune complexes form, they become deposited in the joints, small vessels and lungs. For example, allergic vasculitis (inflammation of the vessels).
Type 4: Allergy (late reaction) – This reaction is mediated by T lymphocytes, which are supplied by an exogenous (from outside) substance. For example, chromium compounds in shoe leather. An example is contact dermatitis.
Causes of allergies
The causes of allergies include all factors that can shift the balance of T helper cells in favor of TH2 cells or that can promote this shift.
This includes :
• medications: e.g. antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, blood pressure medications,
• chronic inflammation,
• parasites,
• viruses (especially the group of herpes viruses – herpes simplex – herpes zoster – Epstein
Barr virus (EBV) – 90% of all adults already carry this, as well as cytomegalus virus),
• vaccinations: the injection bypasses the immune protection provided by the skin and
mucous membranes; in children, an allergy can occur for the first time after a vaccination,
• additives and toxins,
• pesticides, herbicides,
• deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and trace elements,
• microbiome disorders and leaky gut,
• psychological factors.
Therapy of allergies in conventional medicine
In conventional medicine, allergies cannot really be cured. The most important recommendation is therefore:
Avoid the allergen!
That means: close the window. Wash your hair in the evening. Air filter. Wipe with a damp cloth every day. Ventilate when there is little pollen flying. Taking off clothes in the living room. Vacation in unpolluted areas.
The main symptoms of allergies are triggered by histamine. That’s why there are different types of antihistamines that are intended to suppress histamine release.
In severe cases there is cortisone.
Hyposensitization is recommended. The allergy-causing substance is injected under the skin in increasing amounts so that the immune system can get used to this substance. This therapy can last up to 3 years.
The disadvantage here is that the causes that led to the allergy are not taken into account. It is therefore possible that a reaction to other substances will occur.
Therapy of allergies in alternative medicine
1.Therapy of allergies in alternative medicine
The intestine as a cause of allergies!
We would particularly like to emphasize how important the intestines and the condition of the entire digestive system are in the development and treatment of allergies.
Certain intestinal bacteria play a major role in the production and regulation of T cells and other components of the immune system.
The condition of the intestinal mucosa is equally important. If incompatible foods or toxins lead to a permeable intestine (so-called leaky gut), this not only promotes food intolerances, but also allergies.
Increased levels of histamine can also be produced in the intestines. This occurs when protein is not digested properly and is further broken down in the intestine by histamine-producing bacteria. This additional histamine can put a lot of strain on the body and, for example, massively increase a grass pollen allergy.
No allergy therapy without a microbiome examination!
We therefore recommend that every allergy sufferer have a stool analysis for the following parameters before starting therapy – regardless of type: especially in the case of cross or mixed allergies (different allergy types)
• Digestive status
• PH value
• Resident and transient gut microbiome
• Mycology,
• Virulent factors gut biome
• Secretory IgA
• Beta-defensin 2
• Alpha-1-antitrypsin
• EPX (eosinophilic protein X)
• Qualitative determination of the inflammatory markers calprotectin, lactoferrin,
hemoglobin and transferrin.
Our partner laboratory in Germany examines exactly these specific parameters, which are of great importance for individual allergy treatment!
2. Another focus of allergy treatment is our immune system!
In order to assess the immune system, the following blood values are urgently required!
• Lymphocyte typing (white blood cells and their subgroups)
• Viral status of the herpes group / antibody examination simplex, zoster / EBV,CMV
In addition to the intestines and microbiome, individual allergy treatment requires a functional immune system. In the case of disorders in the immune system, the focus of any allergy therapy will be to regulate and support the immune system.
A very successful therapy for the treatment of allergies, infections – including viral causes, and autoimmune diseases. Microimmunotherapy is the focus of the treatment of the immune system.
Microimmunotherapy (MIT) – what is it?
Microimmunotherapy is a therapy to regulate the immune system. Highly diluted and potentiated immune messengers are used to help the immune system respond appropriately again.
The immune system
Our immune system is one of the large “systems” in our body. Other systems include, for example, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system or the digestive system.
The immune system protects us from viruses, bacteria and parasites. When this defense no longer functions properly, we become ill – and often chronically ill.
One cause of many of our modern diseases lies in our weak immune system!
In microimmunotherapy, certain very low doses of messenger substances are supplied to the organism.
Microimmunotherapy uses the same molecules that the immune system naturally uses to communicate and control its various players.
The microimmunotherapeutics mimic the chronobiological sequence of events within the immune response. Therefore, they are taken in a fixed order, called the sequence. This is intended to transmit sequential information to the body.
The sublingual mucosa has some special properties that make it particularly attractive for the administration of active pharmaceutical ingredients. On the one hand, the histological characteristics of the sublingual mucosa (fine epithelial layer, not keratinized) ensure increased permeability. On the other hand, this region has a number of immunological features (local presence of immunocompetent cells, relatively low number of inflammatory cells) that give it increased immune competence and a lower risk of systemic side effects.
• It starts where the disease arises. It specifically regulates the body’s own defenses so that
they can react optimally against internal and external disturbances.
• The messenger substances inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and support the anti-
inflammatory cytokines. This supports the entire immune system.
• Infections are kept under control.
3. Allergy and Orthomolecular Medicine (OM)
The body needs vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids and fatty acids in order to function at all.
However, certain substances work particularly well for allergies.
- Vitamin C: acts as a mild antihistamine
- Vitamin D, selenium, zinc and glutathione promote the TH1 helper cells, which are weakened in allergies
- Black cumin oil shuts down the TH2 helper cells
In general, the body should receive all the vital nutrients it needs to become and stay healthy.
4. Allergy and food
When it comes to allergies, diet plays an important role. Even if you “just” suffer from a pollen allergy.
Allergy and TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) make sense to support the Spleen Qi. This includes eating predominantly cooked meals. Depending on whether you suffer from mucus or dampness or internal heat, you should avoid the corresponding foods.
Histamine in food
Since excessive histamine plays a major role in an allergy, you should pay attention to a diet low in histamine during the allergy season. This way you relieve your body.
Nutrition plans
Pollen and protein components of fruits and vegetables can be so similar that the immune system reacts to both. This often happens, for example, with birch pollen and apples.
Of course, you leave out the foods that you are allergic to.
5. Prevention of allergies
Healthy lifestyle
Make sure you eat a healthy diet, get enough exercise and get enough sleep. Make sure you don’t have too much stress.
Maintain a healthy immune system and gut.
Let your children play in the dirt sometimes. Take a vacation in the countryside. City children are three times more likely to suffer from allergies than rural children. The intestines are better supplied with natural microorganisms.
Healthy pregnancy and planning
Pay particular attention to a healthy lifestyle and diet during pregnancy.
If you have allergies or food intolerances, have frequently taken antibiotics, or have problems with your digestive system and intestines, take care of a healthy microbiome during pregnancy. You pass this on to your child during birth and later!
Natural birth
Cesarean section children have a five times higher risk of allergies! Support your baby’s intestines after a cesarean section.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk is the best for the baby. And it becomes even better if it comes from a healthy mother and contains all the vital nutrients the child needs for healthy growth.
As a breastfeeding mother, take good care of yourself and treat yourself to a good, healthy diet. You are also welcome to take nutritional supplements.
Naturopathic support
Get naturopathic and homeopathic support for you and your child. So that the immune system and the intestines remain healthy and, if possible, no antibiotics are necessary.
After vaccinations, you should also have your child receive alternative medical support.
Our concept for treating allergies
We would like to note that our concept of allergy treatment is based on important laboratory parameters and data. This is the only way to create a holistic therapy concept.
• Initial conversation / status
• Immune system status – laboratory tests (stool), blood count (lymphocyte differentiation,
viral loads) or osteopathic or kinesiological tests
• Intestinal cleansing if necessary
• Microimmunotherapy ( MIT ), if necessary
• Orthomolecular medicine
• Food
• Other therapeutic methods, such as homeopathic individual remedies and complex
remedies, possibly acupuncture, for children light acupuncture (needle-free) or NPSO therapy.
Interested? Break new ground with our allergy therapy, arrange a consultation appointment in our practice today.
Your NMC – Team Krk