Food allergies (or sensitivities) occur because of three factors: nutritional, immune and inflammatory. Eating foods serves multiple purposes: to provide both macro and micronutrients for the functions of systems; support optimal function of the brain; provide fuel for the performance of the body and so on. The processes that are involved to meet these purposes involves digestion and detoxification. When exploring the three factors that contribute to allergies, digestion must be supported.
The digestive process begins in the mouth when food is chewed and mixed with saliva. It’s then swallowed and travels into the stomach where acid then helps to break down the food particles. These particles travels through the intestinal tract where digestive enzymes are activated and further breakdown the food particles. At any one of these stages, there may be breakdowns that don’t allow the entire breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Low stomach acid and low digestive enzymes can result in larger food particles.
When food is not completely broken down it creates partial proteins and other molecules that the immune system identifies as foreign invaders. The immune system follows by attacking these proteins and molecules. The end result is an allergic response. An allergic response creates a chronic inflammatory response. In general, inefficiencies within the digestive system can result in an allergic and inflammatory response and nutritional deficiencies.
Why the depletion of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, especially in children? Medications, heavy metals, dysbiosis in the GI tract (can result from C-Section deliveries), refined foods, sugars, food allergies (not detected early), to name a few.
What to do?
Support the digestive system first, before adding other supplements. Probiotics, essential fatty acids (low levels are correlated with allergies), stomach acid (if H.Pyroluria has been ruled out), digestive enzymes and a clean sugar free diet is necessary to improve the health of digestive system, reduce inflammation and reduce, if not stop, the allergic response.
Be well,
Lynn
