College of Naturopathic Medicine fp April:Layout 23
14/3/14
14:04
Page 1
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Natural help for Hay Fever and Allergies By Hermann Keppler, Principal of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).
A
n allergy is an abnormal sensitivity of the body to certain substances, called allergens, such as pollen, micro-organisms, pet dander, dust, and sometimes food. There are generally two main causes.
A weak Immune System If your immune system is weak, it will over-react on exposure to allergens, such as pollen, causing the body to increase the production of ‘antibodies’ to destroy the invader. These antibodies release immune cells which cause unpleasant allergic symptoms such as: sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestions, itchy-watery eyes, running nose, itchy throat, asthma, stomach ache, fatigue, irritability etc. Antihistamines and steroids, sometimes given to suppress the symptoms, work by inhibiting the body’s defences. They can cause side effects, ranging from stomach problems to cognitive issues, and increased risk of developing disease. According to the naturopathic way of thinking taught at CNM, since the body creates immune cells to deal with allergens, it does not make sense to destroy them. Rather, it would be better to boost the person’s immune system, enabling them to deal with allergens and pollen. Leaky Gut Syndrome Most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The intestine is selective and should only absorb digested foods. However, disruption can occur to the intestine lining for various reasons. Contributory factors could include some pharmaceutical drugs, vaccinations, a diet high in sugars, sweeteners, starches, over processed and microwaved foods, preservatives, refined flours and sodas, which introduce toxins into the body. Coffee, smoking, and alcohol cause inflammation in the gut and destroy the gut flora. If there is a disruption to the intestine lining, larger undigested food molecules together with toxins, yeast and other waste material which the body normally doesn’t allow through, is able to enter the blood stream, a condition known as leaky gut. The first reaction of the body to these foreign substances in the blood stream is to fight. Ultimately, the immune system comes into action against the intruders, resulting in allergy symptoms. What you can do To treat allergies and hay fever effectively one has to boost the immune system and improve the function of the digestive system. Eliminating smoking, alcohol, caffeine, plus sugars, starches, white flours, sodas and other irritating foods and substances, alleviates the inflammation of the gut and assists the 76 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
|
APRIL 2014
intestinal tract to return to its normal function. Stick to a diet which is rich in vegetables, leaves and herbs, organic where possible. To detox, or to do a supervised fast can help greatly. Chronic stress always suppresses the immune system. Find out what is causing your stress and solve the problem! Damaged gut functions are going to leave you with nutritional deficiencies. Seek the advice of a Naturopath or Nutritional Therapist about the types and levels of Hermann Keppler supplementation most appropriate for you, and which can also help rebuild the mucosal lining of the intestine. A good diet and cutting down on irritants is the first step to getting rid of bad bacteria in the gut. Then you need to repopulate it with a constant feed of good bacteria. Your Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist can find the right strain of probiotic bacteria to suit you. You’ll also need enzymes, found in foods, particularly raw organic vegetables, salads and herbs. Make sure you have some every day. You can supplement digestive enzymes initially. They help digest our food by breaking it down into very small particles to be utilized by the body. Acupuncture can help to identify what weakness in the body prevents it from coping with allergens. Insertion of needles in certain points of the body can boost organ functions and the immune system. Alongside taking nutritional steps, Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy can also further support the immune system naturally.
FREE CNM Open Evening Thursday 10th April 6.30pm-8.30pm Find out about training with CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture. You can also hear more about our short course ‘Nutrition for Everyday Living’. For details, and to reserve your place: 01342 410 505 info@naturopathy-uk.com
www.naturopathy-uk.com