November 2020

ALLERGICDownload How does a person become allergic? Allergens can be inhaled, ingested, or enter through the skin. Common allergic reactions, such as hay fever, certain types of asthma, and hives are linked to an antibody produced by the body called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Each IgE antibody can be very specific, reacting againstcertain pollens and other allergens. In other words, a person can be allergic to one type of pollen, but not another. When a susceptible person is exposed to an allergen, the body starts producing a large quantity of similar IgE antibodies. The next exposure to the same allergenmay result...

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the ingestion of gluten prompts the body to attack itself as if it were an invader. This causes damage to the small intestine and specifically the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine and aid in nutrient absorption. A healthy intestinal tract has healthy, normal villi; for those with celiac disease, however, gluten consumption damages the villi. As a result, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly, which can lead to malabsorption and other serious health problems, including a higher chance of bone fractures and infections from bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Celiac...

The gut is the largest immune organ. In fact, 70%–80% of the immune system resides in the gut. Immune function is one of the gut’s main jobs. The epithelial layer of the gut:  Provides a physical barrier  Is lined with immune cells that monitor good bacteria  Contains goblet cells that produce mucus with defensins to protect the gut wall from unwanted bacteria The immune system triggers inflammation or autoimmune reactions in response to signals from immune cells in the gut. Immune cells: 1. Make more immune cells. 2. Produce cytokines – signals that trigger inflammation and turn...

You’re likely familiar with the saying, “Two heads are better than one.” And so it seems that having a second brain can come in handy. Fortunately, we all have one – a “second brain,” that is – located in our gut that acts as an extra ally in maintaining our health. This second brain, the enteric nervous system (ENS), is made up of more than 100 million nerve cells in and around the entire digestive tract, from esophagus to anus. The ENS is an important part of the gut-brain axis. It is the bidirectional communication link that connects the brain...