115: Holistic Approach to Allergies with Carly Stagg, BSN, RN, FNTP
This week’s podcast is full of practical tips and advice for how to find relief with seasonal allergies - including Carly’s top supplement picks!
EPISODE 115: Holistic Approach to Allergies with Carly Stagg, BSN, RN, FNTP
SHOW NOTES
(0:00) Intro
Welcome back to the club!
We have Carly Stagg back on to talk about a holistic approach to allergies
(2:40) What are allergies? How are they different from sensitivities and intolerances?
We’ll back up a bit and talk about how we want our immune system to be 2 things: strong (to fight off bacteria, viruses, yeast, etc.- anything that can cause infection or inflammation) AND smart (targeting the right things- foreign invaders- versus the body’s own tissues.
All these types of reactions can be considered to be “overreactions”of the immune system- ex: the boy who cried wolf- to a normally benign substance (a trigger or antigen) that the body SHOULD be able to tolerate.
They target different types of immunoglobulins which causes different type of reaction.
There are different types of reactions.
“Allergies” or allergic reaction- Immunoglobulin E- IgE mediated
There is a spectrum of this “allergic type”
From severe and immediate- think: classic peanut allergy. Epi Pen. Can have swelling of face, lips, tongue which is called angioedema. Difficulty breathing
To mild to moderate- skin reactions, itchy watery eyes, hives, runny nose, sinus pressure, congestion, etc.
It does depend on the person, seasonal allergies are generally more mild. Food allergies are generally.
Grasses, pollen, mold, dust and dust mites.
Versus Intolerances
not immune mediated- inability to digest or process one or more components of that food. Ex: diarrhea after eating milk products is generally considered to be a sign of lactose (milk sugar) intolerance.
Then there’s a whole other class called sensitivities which covers any other sensitivity that is not an allergy, intolerance, or autoimmune issue. Food “sensitivity” tests generally check for IgG responses but there are lots of other ways the body can respond to a trigger (antigen) that may not show up in this way.
Autoimmune responses- totally different
Celiac disease is a common example- eating gluten essentially triggers the immune system to begin to destroy the villi in the small intestine, which are responsible for absorption of nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
(14:50) How to test for allergies?
Environmental- Genova IgE Inhalants and/or skin testing (at an allergist’s office)
Food Allergens- Genova IgE Food Allergy test and/or skin testing (at an allergist’s office).
Food Sensitivities- MRT Sensitivity Test- because it tests for lots of different foods.
Gold Standard for food sensitivities- Elimination diet
(20:36) What are some common underlying factors that can contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms?
We learned in nutrition school that 80% of our immune system is our gut, called the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue. When we aren’t digesting properly (stomach acid or enzyme deficiency), undigested food will sit in our gut for longer than it should, and can actually feed bad bacteria that are there, causing an overgrowth of the bad bacteria. This also reduces absorption capacity of the intestinal mucous membranes and causes “leaky gut”.
This means that over time, these large incompletely digested food proteins pass through the gut barrier and can pass into the bloodstream.
Basically, the immune system freaks out seeing these large particles that aren’t supposed to be there, and starts to attack them through release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine.
Because of this, food sensitivities and allergies are very closely linked.
(26:11) What can you do to naturally support the body with allergies?
Don’t do this without talking to your own healthcare practitioner first as this depends on your specific case.
(26:55) Focus on lymphatic drainage
Lots of gentle movement and walking
Rebounder (JumpSport is mine) or vibration plate
(32:47) If digestive discomfort present, ex: acid reflux present or suspected (silent)- present for MOST cases
MegaMucosa- artichoke leaf/ginger/DGL combination
Also raise HOB
Don’t eat 2 hours before bed
Fat digestion support: TUDCA
Pancreatic enzyme support: digestive enzymes
Elimination diet for 30 days, then slowly reintroduce foods
AT LEAST GF AND DF
Gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, corn-free, soy-free, alcohol-free
Why 30 days? It takes at least 14-20 days for the foods to get out of your system completely and then you will live with that reduced inflammation
Drink lots of water to flush the system!!
(42:02) Supplement support to reduce the immune response- mostly focused on anti-inflammatory
Gut healing support- Mega Mucosa and Megasporebiotic from Microbiome labs.
Need a practitioner to guide you through this for dosing and timing.
Cellcore
N-acetyl cysteine
Precursor to glutathione, the body’s main antioxidant
OR glutathione (since NAC backordered)
Quercetin
Stabilizes mast cells to reduce histamine release
Vitamin D- immune balancing- balances “smart” and “strong” aspects of immune system
Vitamin C
“Natural antihistamine” as well
Turmeric and ginger tincture- anti-inflammatory. 2-3 droppers up to 2-3x per day.
Proteolytic enzymes- ex: Intenzyme Forte
Help to break up inflammatory molecules and biofilms that have formed.
Nasal sprays
Ion Biome- “restore” nasal spray- daily this is what I use
Xylitol nasal spray with grapefruit seed extract- I use this if I have sinus symptoms or congestion
Beekeeper’s Natural
Propolis Spray
You can access most of the supplements we discuss at a discounted price on Fullscript here. Simply go to View “Favorites” => Immune and Allergy
(104:54) Outro & Disclaimer
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!