"How do we help prevent or mitigate
allergies and strengthen the immune system?"
1.
Address Gut Health:
Dynamite DynaPro
The gut is being increasingly hailed as the
seat of immunity.
San
Diego veterinarian Stephen R. Blake says the
gastro intestinal system is the most
important defense against any fungal, viral
or bacterial infection. "Since 70% of
antibody-producing gamma globulin comes from
Pyes patches in the intestinal tract and 90%
of all toxins, bacteria, viruses and fungi
enter the body thru the gut, it only makes
sense the we should concentrate our effort
on this organ system - supplements that
support the gastrointestinal tract include
probiotics, such as Lactobacillus
acidophilus and other 'friendly' or
'beneficial' bacteria, which make up the
body's first line of defense against viruses
and other pathogens. Our efforts should be
on supporting the immune system through a
healthy GI tract". (source: Whole Dog
Journal, "Fending Off the Flu by C.J.
Puotinen, Dec 2005)
We know from Dr. Regan Golob's article on
Leaky Gut Syndrome that grains and
especially wheat are one of the first foods
that should go, for most of us who are
aspiring to optimum health. Allergies,
fibromyalgia, even emotional problems and
depression can be other side effects of gut
irritation and malabsorption.
Leaky gut syndrome is always associated with
autoimmune diseases, conditions where one
system makes antibodies against the body's
own tissue. Diseases in this category
include Lupus, Alopecia Areata, Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vitiligo,
Thyroiditis, Vasculitis, Crohn's Disease,
Ulcerative Colitis, Hives, and Raynaud's
Disease. Allopaths are starting to recognize
the importance of the G. I. tract in the
development of allergies or autoimmune
disease. Herbologists and colon hygienists
have recognized this connection for
centuries, using colonics, cleaning up the
diet and increasing vegetable juices and
chlorophyll.
"Do you have the guts to resist allergies
and asthma? A University of Michigan study
says changes in the bacteria and fungi (microflora)
in the gastrointestinal tract may intensify
immune system response to common allergens
inhaled into the lungs. This can result in
an increased risk of developing chronic
asthma or allergies.
"Our research indicates that microflora
lining the walls of the gastrointestinal
tract are a major underlying factor
responsible for the immune system's ability
to ignore inhaled allergens. Change the
microflora in the gut and you upset the
immune system's balance between tolerance
and sensitization," study author Gary
Huffnagle, an associate professor of
internal medicine and of microbiology and
immunology, said in a prepared statement.
He and a colleague tested this theory in a
mouse they developed that mimics how some
humans develop allergies after taking
antibiotics, which can upset the balance of
gut microflora.
The study appears in the January issue of
Infection and Immunity.
"If lungs are repeatedly exposed to an
allergen, regulatory T-cells (immune
cells that can moderate immune system
response) learn to recognize the
allergen as not dangerous and something
that can be safely ignored," Huffnagle
said.
"Most researchers think that tolerance
develops in the lungs, but we believe it
actually occurs in the gut. When immune
cells in the GI tract come in contact
with swallowed allergens, that
interaction triggers the development of
regulatory T-cells, which then migrate
to the lungs," he said.
(Source: University of Michigan Health
System, news release, Dec. 23, 2004)
Many (most) dogs and even horses can have
gluten allergies, and most people have
gluten allergies to some degree as well.
Gluten is a protein that occurs in grains,
especially wheat, rye, barley and oats and
spelt. We are seeing more and more horses
who simply cannot tolerate grains in any
form, and we are having great success using
our
HES Pellets along with grass
pellets or grass/alfalfa pellets as a grain
substitute.
TNT also is a wonderful
supplement for these horses, as it contains
the
HES along with 5 other of our most
popular horse products. If you see hyper or
whacky behavior in your horse, try going
grain free and see if that makes a
difference. Likewise, don't share your
morning toast with the dog, or feed treats
made with wheat flour.
What a great support and validation for
DynaPro for our animals both large and
small. Skin problems in dogs, hives and
heaves in horses, are allergic responses. To
me, our first issue to address is pH of the
gut and the health of the intestinal
microflora with
DynaPro. If you are not
comfortable taking some occasional
DynaPro
yourself (note that we do not label or
promote it for human use, tho some of us do
imbibe a few drops...) you can find a good
probiotic supplement on the market. The gut
is one of the first lines of defense in a
healthy immune system
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