Spring Allergies & Probiotics
It’s that time of year when the sneezes are upon us. Allergies flare up & noses run wild as our immune systems seemingly go awry during the spring weather. You might be surprised to find, though, that the bugs in your gut are an important ally to have during allergy season.
Runny nose, dry skin, difficulty breathing, rashes, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy nose, hives, coughing. These are just some of the allergy symptoms people experience when they come into contact with triggering allergens such as dust, pet dander, foods (like wheat, soy and dairy products), and pollen.
Did you know the beneficial bacteria in your gut can stand you in good stead to deal with allergies & hay fever? New research now shows allergies and your immune system are linked and probiotics can help prevent and fight allergies.
The gut is considered the center of our immune system, which also spans our airways, skin, and other parts of our bodies. This system was built from birth by microbes that taught the immune cells to know the differences between being part of the family and foreign invaders. Pollen, for example, is like one of those invaders for some people, and the system detects it and responds by trying to flush it out. Thus, sneezing, watery eyes and nose. This set of symptoms is also known as allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Several studies suggest that probiotics may alter the immune system and reduce inflammatory signals that are associated with allergies. In a perfect world, everyone would have a healthy inner ecosystem that keeps us in balance, however, this inner ecosystem is the health of your intestines and in essence, your digestive tract.
When your inner ecosystem is in balance, your intestines are teeming with the beneficial bacteria and yeast (known as microflora) that keep your immune system strong. With the right balance of beneficial microflora, you can fight off allergens and infections.
Unfortunately, the western diet of processed foods, an overload of environmental toxins and chronic stress have created an epidemic of unhealthy inner ecosystems. You can see it in the rise of allergies and many childhood diseases and disorders, like autism.
Cutting-edge research reveals that probiotics may be a new way to prevent and remedy allergies. Consuming probiotics can help boost your inner ecosystem and your immunity. Researchers believe that in our sterile modern world, probiotics can encourage the production of antibodies in babies and children that can protect them from allergies later in life.
Probiotics have been proven effective in the remedy of these allergies:
- Birch pollen allergy in children
- Cedar pollen allergy in adults
- Eczema in infants, children and adults
Populating your gut with the right probiotics throughout the year, not just during allergy season, could be the key to easing those allergy symptoms and keeping your immune system strong.
Researchers found that a probiotic consisting of both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria helped to alleviate allergies and improved quality of life during allergy season. Probiotics are truly natures miracle remedy, and not just for allergies. Populating your gut with beneficial microflora improves your skin, helps you maintain a healthy weight, gives you energy and improves your overall well-being.
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