Food allergies are on the rise, affecting millions worldwide. While the exact causes remain complex, growing research over the years suggests a significant role of the gut microbiome.
What are food allergies?
Food allergies are when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain food proteins as harmful, triggering a range of symptoms from mild rashes and breathing trouble to severe anaphylaxis.
For years, I've been battling against my allergies to prawns- one of my favourite foods in this world. It was frustrating and frankly, exhausting. Thanks to my interest in the human body and biologics, I've always been fascinated by the intricate workings of the immune system and the body.
From Fear to Fascination
Intrigued, as I delved deeper. I learned that our gut, this seemingly simple organ, is home to trillions of microorganisms- bacteria, fungi, viruses. These tiny inhabitants aren't just quiet tenants; instead, they're active participants in shaping our health. They help us digest food, produce essential vitamins, and most importantly for allergies, train our immune system.
The gut is home to about 70% of the body’s immune cells, making it a central hub for immune system activity. The gut microbiome and immune system intricately work together to differentiate between harmful invaders and harmless substances in the gut.
The Gut-Allergy connection
The microbe community of the gut is a well-balanced group of interdependent cohabitants who under normal conditions are not harmful but beneficial to the body. However, alterations to this balance cause the emergence of harmful microbes and dysregulation of the bodily functions they are playing.
This imbalance of the gut microbiome is called ‘dysbiosis’.
The key players ---- Good bacterial groups like Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridiales, and Bacteroidetes play crucial roles in promoting tolerance and preventing allergies. However harmful shifts caused by dysbiosis can cause imbalances in these bacterial groups, along with an overgrowth of other bacteria like those in the Enterobacteriaceae and Parabacteroides genera, can contribute to allergy development.
But how do these microbes contribute to food allergies?
There are several soldiers of the immune system such as immunoglobulin, Th2, and Regulatory T cells who work together to maintain intestinal gut immunity.
The gut microbiome significantly influences this immune system, affecting antibody production, T-cell function, and inflammation. Metabolites produced by gut bacteria (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, bile acids) modulate immune responses and IgA production. Certain bacteria, particularly those belonging to the Clostridiales and Bacteroidales orders, can induce ROR-γt in Tregs, promoting tolerance.
Hence dysbiosis of the gut microbiome composition affects the immune system and results in the development of certain food allergies.
The gut microbiome composition depends on many factors:
· Lifestyle and Diet: The gut microbiome composition of different people differs with their traditional diets and lifestyle factors like tobacco, alcohol consumption, workout frequency, etc.
· Mode of Delivery: Gut microbiome also depends on vaginal or cesarean delivery.
· Early antibiotic exposure in life: Apart from food allergies antibiotic exposure in the early years of life has been linked to several diseases like asthma, diabetes, and even anxiety and depressive disorders.
The pathogenesis of these diseases although related to the dysbiosis of gut microbiome.
Nourishing Your Gut: A Key to Allergy Prevention?
While more research is needed, cultivating a healthy gut microbiome may be a potential therapeutic for allergy prevention and management.
Dietary Diversity: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes provides a diverse range of nutrients and always supports a thriving gut microbiome. Try to add as many colours possible on your plate of vegetables. Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi in your diet. These foods are naturally rich in probiotics, beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance to the gut. Avoid processed and canned foods as much as possible.
Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods: Consume prebiotic and probiotic foods such as onions, garlic, bananas, and asparagus to provide your gut with the correct microbes and prebiotics will serve as a source of food for the thriving of those microbes. Supertums Overnight Oats( available in berries, chocolate, banana & vanilla flavours) are a low-fodmap breakfast, which is rich in probiotics and prebiotics can be a fabulous option for a quick and healthy breakfast in your busy life.
Early Life Exposures: Early life experiences, such as mode of delivery (vaginal vs. cesarean), breastfeeding, and exposure to antibiotics, can significantly impact the development of the gut microbiome. Consult a physician to get a more thorough understanding of the exposures so that you can make an informed decision.
Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact the gut microbiome, contributing to dysbiosis and increasing the risk of allergies. Yoga, exercise, and adequate sleep is more crucial than we think for a healthy gut and a healthy body.
Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.