Why Some People Are Testing Their Gut Terrain To Prevent Allergies

The prevalence of food allergy is rising at an alarming rate. New statistics show that there has been an 18% increase in allergies among children between 1997 and 2007. It has been thought for some time that changes in our environment are responsible for this dramatic increase. Now, a new study shows that one gut microbe is directly linked to development of allergies in children. Alterations to the microbial environment in the gut can strongly influence allergic responses to food.  It appears that one organism in particular, is essential in regulating intestinal permeability and directly protect against allergen sensitization.

Although the development of antibiotics has saved thousands of lives since they first were discovered, we have as a society over-used this wonder cure. Antibiotics would miraculously wipe out any bacterial infections that made us ill, but at the expense of destroying our very complex microbial systems.  We have trillions of bacterial cells that co-exist with us – which help the body in a myriad of ways – from digestion to immunity.

When we enter this world, we receive our first inoculation of bacteria from our mothers during the birth process, and from the birth canal.  Breast milk will also transfer our first critical species from mother to child.  Any interruption in this process, i.e. through Cesarean sections, antibiotics in early life or formula milk does alter the microbial environment for life.

The complexity of how these organisms benefit (or harm) or systems is enormous, but scientists are slowly beginning to unravel the functions of specific communities by looking at what happens to individuals who lack certain essential species.

Conditions that have been linked to altered gut bacteria include allergies, cardiovascular, gut and auto-immune conditions which have led many companies offering probiotic treatment.  But does it help?

It is the specifics that are important.  Taking the right probiotic is essential to getting results. Knowing what your gut terrain is like can make the difference between targeted treatment and just taking a guess in the dark. Testing the gut terrain can give very specific information about bacteria that may be missing - by evaluating targeted biomarkers, the GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile can reveal hidden conditions that other stool tests may overlook.

For more information, please contact the centre on 0131 556 8440 or info@centre4holistichealth.co.uk

Charmaine Shepherd B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC

As a teacher and therapist I am dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health as I firmly believe in supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

 

I originally obtained my degree in biomedical sciences 17 years ago and worked for several years in biomedical research before deciding to move into complementary medicine. I went on to study acupuncture for 3 years in Asia.

 

I qualified as an acupuncturist in 2005 after extensive training in Singapore, China and Thailand.Over the years I have also refined my practice of Taichi and Qigong and have recently qualified as a Qigong teacher. My Qigong training has taken me all over the world including Germany, Turkey and Canada.