Allergies
An allergic response to an environmental cause has increased in prevalence over the last 50 years. The most common being; plant pollens, moulds, dust mites, insect stings, or food. Allergic diseases, are the fifth most prevalent chronic diseases in all ages, and the third most common in children, (American collage of allergy, asthma and immunology). Many have linked this rise with an imbalance within the immune system which has developed as a result of environmental factors. Inadequate digestion due to enzyme deficiency may also contribute to developing an allergic response. When proteins are not digested properly they retain their antigenic properties. If absorbed may then initiate an immune hypersensitivity. Not to be confused with a food intolerance which does not involve an immune response and can have many causes.
When an allergen comes into contact with the body, the immune system reacts dependent upon its type and virulence. Its presence increases the production of chemicals called cytokines, which influence the type and degree of response. The cytokines excreted influence the antibody involved in the response. The two most prevalent are IgE (immunoglobulin E) and IgG. It is IgE that is found in excess within allergic individuals. It is postulated that the over-prevalence of IgE is connected to the lack of exposure to microbes that the infant receives while acquiring an adaptive response to environmental pathogens.
During the fetus's development the antibodies produced by the mother has to be kept in check so that it does not attack the placenta. Therefore T helper cells of the type 1 variety are suppressed, these are the cells that influence the production of IgG antibodies, in favour of T helper cells of the class 2 variety, which influences the production of IgE and IgA. When Cells containing IgE are activated they release the chemical histamine which cause; vasodilation, itching, and muscle contraction, for example bronchoconstriction. It is postulated that during the first few years, as the infant comes into contact with microbes within the environment, the production of IgG increases and a balance is restored between the two immunoglobulin types. The increase in hygiene with the home has meant that the infant does not come into contact with the same quantity of microbes as previous generations, and allergens tend to initiate an IgE response more easily.
An allergic response to an environmental cause has increased in prevalence over the last 50 years. The most common being; plant pollens, moulds, dust mites, insect stings, or food. Allergic diseases, are the fifth most prevalent chronic diseases in all ages, and the third most common in children, (American collage of allergy, asthma and immunology). Many have linked this rise with an imbalance within the immune system which has developed as a result of environmental factors. Inadequate digestion due to enzyme deficiency may also contribute to developing an allergic response. When proteins are not digested properly they retain their antigenic properties. If absorbed may then initiate an immune hypersensitivity. Not to be confused with a food intolerance which does not involve an immune response and can have many causes.
When an allergen comes into contact with the body, the immune system reacts dependent upon its type and virulence. Its presence increases the production of chemicals called cytokines, which influence the type and degree of response. The cytokines excreted influence the antibody involved in the response. The two most prevalent are IgE (immunoglobulin E) and IgG. It is IgE that is found in excess within allergic individuals. It is postulated that the over-prevalence of IgE is connected to the lack of exposure to microbes that the infant receives while acquiring an adaptive response to environmental pathogens.
During the fetus's development the antibodies produced by the mother has to be kept in check so that it does not attack the placenta. Therefore T helper cells of the type 1 variety are suppressed, these are the cells that influence the production of IgG antibodies, in favour of T helper cells of the class 2 variety, which influences the production of IgE and IgA. When Cells containing IgE are activated they release the chemical histamine which cause; vasodilation, itching, and muscle contraction, for example bronchoconstriction. It is postulated that during the first few years, as the infant comes into contact with microbes within the environment, the production of IgG increases and a balance is restored between the two immunoglobulin types. The increase in hygiene with the home has meant that the infant does not come into contact with the same quantity of microbes as previous generations, and allergens tend to initiate an IgE response more easily.
