Can Allergies Impact your Immunity?
The winter months can be miserable for some people with a constant barrage of colds and flus, or one bout of something that can take weeks to get over.
And then there are other people who sail through winter and might only experience a mild cold here or there!
Other people seem to be susceptible to absolutely everything from hayfever to all of the different viruses, bugs and food sensitivities.
Although we are now at the tail end of winter, colds and flu can still be an issue up until around September.
We hear a lot from our Positive Association Technique (PAT) clients that notice a connection between their allergies and immunity, and seem to catch every cold and flu going around.
So in this blog we will explore these differences in immune system function between people and explore the link between allergies and immunity.
There are also some key ways to “boost” your immune system, if you struggle with chronic allergies and low immunity, that we will cover.
Immune System Function
There can be many factors at play that may influence which category you fit into. However there are some foundational basics to a healthy immune system.
Firstly, nutrients form the building blocks for tissues and functions within the body, so if we aren’t providing those nutrients in the right amount, processes like mounting an immune response may become inefficient.
Then the innate immune system is made of the epithelial cell of our skin and mucous membranes. Bodily fluids like saliva and the mucosal lining of the gut contain defensins which act like bactericides to protect the body. It’s a non-specific, barrier kind of defence system that is right where exposure to infection is at its greatest. Some types of white blood cells like neutrophils also form part of this defence system.
So if we have something out of balance that is needed for a healthy innate immune system, we may find our resistance to infection is low and we end up catching every virus we are exposed to.
Secretory IgA
Another important factor to consider when thinking about why some people may be more prone to getting colds and flus, is something called secretory IgA.
Now this is the main antibody found on the mucosal surfaces of the body such as the digestive tract and the respiratory tract. It acts like a physical barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses from adhering to these surfaces.
If someone has low or high levels of this, it’s telling us a story about what is going on at that mucosal surface. If levels are high, it is an indication that the immune system is responding to a threat. That could be an infection, an unbalanced microbiome or a food sensitivity.
If the secretory IgA levels are low then the immune defences of that individual are low and we are looking at a depleted picture. This person may have been subject to a chronic infection, chronic food sensitivities, ongoing stress or nutrient deficiencies. They definitely need to be nurtured and nourished!
Secretory IgA, Allergies and Immunity
When it comes to the risk of someone with allergies being more susceptible to colds, that appears quite difficult to answer definitively!
Certainly if the underlying cause of that was related to poor nutrition or stress, then it would make sense that the immune system would not be working as it should.
There is plenty of information online saying this connection is true, however not much research has been done to back that up with evidence.
Although, there are two functions happening in the gut that may help explain this connection.
Firstly, the gut microbiome appears to play a role in how much secretory IgA is produced, with certain species initiating the production of more and some decreasing the amount.
And there have been quite a few studies that found those with allergic conditions, like hayfever and asthma, have less diversity in their gut microbiome. This lack of diversity could contribute to lower levels of secretory IgA, and therefore immunity.
This is fascinating and is another example of how our microbiome is engaged in conversation with our body and influences processes in the body itself.
Secondly, food sensitivities elevate secretory IgA as a immune response in an attempt to protect the body from the ‘foreign invader’. But when this response is chronically generated, the body can get depleted, resulting in low secretory IgA output, impacting immunity.
It also appears that complications following a viral infection can be more likely in someone with asthma. This is due to the inflammation already present in the airways and consequential mucous and immune response.
And when we find it takes us a long time to get over a cold or virus, it may be the normal inflammatory response to infection that is taking longer to subside. If our production of inflammatory cytokines has been ramped up, it is going to take longer to resolve this.
If you find that you seem to be hit harder than others with viral infections, there may be some of these underlying inflammation drivers playing a role.
Allergies vs Virus Symptoms
With pollen season around the corner, you may experience a sudden onset of sinus symptoms or a sore throat, and wonder whether it’s allergies or a virus?
Both can create nasal congestion, runny noses, sneezing and coughs.
Colds and flus, caused by viruses, may be accompanied by a temperature, body aches and pains or a sore throat and are usually relatively short term.
Allergies are not associated with temperatures or aches and pains. But they do present as sinus congestion, chesty or dry coughs, fatigue and itchy, watery eyes.
That itchy sensation, which is usually in the eyes, but can also be experienced on the roof of the mouth or skin is a clear sign of an allergic reaction.
Congestion that lingers and doesn’t resolve may in fact be more of an allergy presentation than a constant cold, or it may feel like you are getting sick frequently, but it’s an allergic response rather than a virus.
Working with a naturopath can help you decipher what is going on. We can work on foundational health for a robust immune system and help to resolve ongoing inflammation to reduce the impact and duration of a cold when you do get sick.
Positive Association Technique (PAT) can also be beneficial to not only address allergy symptoms, but also help reduce the load on your immune system, encouraging it to work more effectively when needed.
PAT is a natural allergy treatment performed by qualified Naturopaths around Australia and NZ. We utilise a form of muscle testing, or kinesiology, to assess your reactions to a wide range of food, airborne and chemical substances. We then help to retrain your body’s response to the trigger by gentle stimulating nerve bundles and acupressure points that down either side of the back, using a chiropractic tool called an Acustim.
You can learn more about PAT in our Free PAT Information E-Pack.
Vitamin A for Allergies and Immunity
Healthy nutrition plays a really important role in supporting our innate immune system, as it’s the first line of defence for our bodies against pathogens.
Vitamin A is one of those nutrients that is really important for keeping our immune system healthy. It keeps the epithelial cells lining the internal and external surfaces of the body healthy and they form a nice barrier to infection.
In fact, Vitamin A is important for the expression of things called mucins and keratins which support a strong structure of epithelial tissue and help keep the innate immune system nice and strong through mucous production. So it restores the integrity and function of those mucosal surfaces.
A strong and healthy immune system also needs effective white blood cells like lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages. Vitamin A helps to keep these cells functioning well. I came across one study that found Vitamin A to be lower in children with asthma which was interesting.
Vitamin A also seems to help prevent the prolonged inflammatory reactions we spoke about earlier.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which means it can be stored in the body and we can take too much of it. It is a vitamin that may cause birth defects and so supplementation in pregnancy should be avoided.
Food sources are going to be the best option for intake unless you are under the care of a health care practitioner.
Our body converts beta carotene found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables into vitamin A. It is also found in liver and cod liver oil.
Vitamin D for Allergies and Immunity
Another important nutrient for healthy immune system functioning is Vitamin D. If our levels are low we may be more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.
Deficiency has also been found to be a risk factor for autoimmune disease as Vitamin D modulates the immune system response. It works by enhancing the response of the immune system to bacteria and viruses, in particular, the healthy functioning of our macrophages (which destroy and eat bacteria and viruses).
Optimal levels of Vitamin D are between 100-150 on a standard blood test.
Gentle sunlight is the best way to boost your Vitamin D levels naturally. Areas that are not usuall exposed to sunlight are more sensitive and yield higher Vitamin D production.
High Sugar Intake and Immunity
Some studies have shown that high glucose levels can influence how our immune cells respond to an infection and also create a more inflammatory response. The activity of our regulatory T Cells (a type of white blood cell) is important for the production of antibodies and for moderating that immune system response.
It has also been found that high glucose levels may increase our levels of inflammatory cytokines by altering our gut microbiota. A diet high in sugar can deplete our good bacteria which make those beneficial short chain fatty acids for us and this increases the level of inflammation.
You can learn more about the impacts of sugar intake on our health in our other blog + podcast with Naturopath & PAT Practitioner Leila DiQuinzio – “Sugar Cravings and Allergies“.
Final Thoughts
The conclusion is that to improve our immune systems and become more resistant to colds and flu, we need to take a holistic approach.
We need to provide the body with the right nutrition to support immune system function and we need to manage our stress and support a healthy microbiome.
Earlier we looked at how deficiency in Vitamin A may prolong inflammatory reactions. And we have just seen how a diet high in sugar may also influence how inflamed we are.
When we find it takes us a long time to get over a cold or virus, it may be the normal inflammatory response to infection that is taking longer to subside. If our production of inflammatory cytokines has been ramped up, it is going to take longer to resolve this.
If you find that you seem to be hit harder than others with viral infections, there may be some of these underlying inflammation drivers playing a role, that need to be addressed.
Written by Fiona Joiner – Canberra Naturopath & PAT Practitioner
Fiona is a degree qualified Naturopath who specialises in gut health in her private practice, at Woden Wellness Centre, as well as providing Positive Association Technique (PAT).
Please note that this blog post contains general information only. Always consult your health care professional before changing your diet, starting new supplements or regarding any medical condition.
