What are they, and how do I get rid of them?


What are Allergies?

Allergies are considered an autoimmune disorder, since they are caused by an over-reaction of the immune system whereby the body produces too many antibodies to neutralize an antigen. In persons with allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as a threat. Then it releases the chemical called histamine to attack the substance. Histamine produces many of the symptoms associated with allergies.

Seasonal allergies produce a hypersensitive immune response to environmental antigens such as ragweed, grasses or trees, triggering the release of histamine which results in the bothersome allergic symptoms of sneezing, wheezing, nasal congestion, eye irritation, inflammation and hives or other skin irritations. A food allergy is a similar immune system response that can affect the skin (i.e., eczema and hives), respiratory system (i.e., asthma and mucus production), gastro-intestinal system (i.e., cramps, bloating and gas), or cardiovascular system. Often an individual does not attribute these bothersome symptoms to a particular food.

Are holes in your gut causing your allergies?

Did you drink a soda pop, coffee or alcoholic beverage this month? Or have you taken an antibiotic, pain reliever (i.e., aspirin or ibuprofen), birth control pill or steroid recently? If you answer yes to any of these, you are promoting a serious health condition called Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). New studies reveal that LGS, which we all have to some extent, is a primary cause for developing allergies, along with many more serious health conditions or diseases.

Approximately 70% of the population has LGS.  Also known as intestinal permeability, it is a condition in which the intestinal lining is more permeable than normal. This means that your intestines develop larger than normal “holes” (which are still on the microscopic level, by the way) that allow allergens and infectious pathogens to easily enter the body.

“Leaky gut can cause food allergy, and food allergy can cause the leaky gut,” says Dr. Sherry Rogers, M.D., in her book Wellness Against All Odds. The relationship between food sensitivities and leaky gut is both complex and circular. According to Dr. Leo Galland, M.D., intestinal permeability sharply increases following exposure to allergenic foods. The release of atopic mediators (such as histamine and serotonin) from mast cells is responsible for the increase in permeability.2
Colostrum is the ideal solution for leaky gut syndrome because colostrum reaches the gut while its components are still viable, and its immunoglobulins and other factors can attack the offending pathogens in the intestines and prevent them from causing damage. The growth factors have anti-inflammatory action and also help repair damaged cells in the lining, decreasing cellular spacing, and thus preventing further leakage. Researchers show that colostrum contains not only antibodies but also many other substances, such as lactoferrin and proline-rich polypeptides (PRP), that can interfere with bacterial colonization and prevent antigen penetration in the gastrointestinal tract4.

Research shows how specific components derived from colostrum may benefit individuals with allergies.  These components are important in the process of cell-mediated immunity.  Colostrum contains PRP, also known as colostrinin or transfer factor, which is a powerful immune modulator that can help tone down the overactive immune response that leads to allergies.

Colostrum also contains a variety of antibodies directed against allergens that affect humans. The cow builds up antibodies to the allergens, which are then transferred through the colostrum to help the allergic individual minimize the allergic response3.

In an effort to improve symptoms naturally, many allergy and asthma sufferers are medicating their symptoms with herbal supplements. This is cause for concern, as some people have allergies to inhalants such as grasses and weeds, the very same substances that their herbal remedy is providing them. For example, the popular herbal supplement Echinacea comes from a plant that is closely related to ragweed, a common allergy trigger. Also, there can be mold spores in the herbs that could seriously affect people with certain allergies. Thus, colostrum provides the safest and most effective natural remedy for allergies and allergic asthma.

PRP: The power to kick allergies

According to recent research, Proline-rich polypeptide (PRP) from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland. It has been shown to eliminate or improve the symptoms of allergies, as well as other autoimmune diseases such as MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus1.

PRP has the ability to regulate the activity of the immune system. This means that it can activate an underactive immune system, helping it move into action against disease-causing organisms. This also means that it can suppress an overactive immune system, as with allergies and all other hyperimmune disorders, preventing it from reacting to harmless substances. Scientists believe that PRP’s ability to regulate the immune system is due in part to its ability to inhibit the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells. PRP actually aids in producing helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells. Various studies also identify that PRP is highly anti-inflammatory6.

PRP is one of the most powerful components found naturally in colostrum, making it the safest and most logical natural component to fight off your allergy symptoms.

Immunoglobulins & Antibodies

Colostrum contains antibodies that work against allergens that affect humans. The cow builds up antibodies to the allergens, which are then transferred through the colostrum to help the allergic individual minimize the allergic response.

Researchers at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, determined that bovine milk and colostrum contains antibodies directed against ryegrass pollen, house dust mites, Aspergillus mold and wheat proteins, which are common allergens to humans3.  Many additional antibodies are present in colostrum which cross-react with allergens of importance to humans, as well as antibodies against pathogenic invaders, such as E. coli, Candida, H. pylori, salmonella, and many others.

The IgE (immunoglobulin) and IgE inhibitors found in colostrum is thought to be responsible for regulating the allergic response7. It is believed that together they inhibit the allergic response by limiting the histamine response.

Conclusion

Along with other components present in colostrum, it is no wonder that supplementing your lifestyle with colostrum helps your immune system to maintain a healthy balance. In addition to PRP’s known benefits for allergies, studies indicate that colostrum from dairy cows also contain a variety of antibodies directed against allergens that affect humans.

References

1.  Rona, ZP. Bovine Colostrum Emerges as Immunity Modulator. American Journal of Natural Medicine March, 1998.
ABSTRACT: PRP from colostrum can work as a regulatory substance of the thymus gland. It has been demonstrated to improve or eliminate symptomology of both allergies and autoimmune diseases (MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and myasthenia gravis). PRP inhibits the overproduction of lymphocytes and T-cells and reduces the major symptoms of allergies and autoimmune disease: pain, swelling, and inflammation.

2.  Galland, L. Leaky Gut Syndromes: Breaking the Vicious Cycles. Townsend Letter for Doctors 62 (1995, Aug/Sept).
ABSTRACT:  Toxins of many kinds can increase intestinal permeability. These include alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, arthritis medications, and many others), cytotoxic drugs used to treat cancer, corticosteroid drugs, and, by their action on bowel flora, antibiotics.

3.  Collins AM, et al. Bovine milk, including pasteurised milk, contains antibodies directed against allergens of clinical importance to man. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology 96(4):362-7 (1991).
ABSTRACT:  Pasteurised and raw bovine milk and bovine colostrum samples were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassay for the presence of antibodies directed against a selection of allergens of importance in human atopic disease. Samples were tested for the presence of antibodies directed against or cross-reacting with ryegrass pollen, house dust mites, Aspergillus mould and wheat proteins. Antibodies of each specificity were detected in every sample tested.

4.  Walker, WA. Pathophysiology of intestinal uptake and absorption of antigens in food allergy. Annals of Allergy 59(5 Pt 2):7-16 (1987).
ABSTRACT:  An important adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract to the extrauterine environment is its development of a mucosal barrier against the penetration of proteins and protein fragments. To combat the potential danger of invasion across the mucosal barrier, the infant must develop within the lumen and on the luminal mucosal surface an elaborate system of defense mechanisms that act to control and maintain the epithelium as an impermeable barrier to the uptake of macromolecular antigens…. Fortunately, nature has provided a means for passively protecting the vulnerable newborn against the dangers of a deficient intestinal defense system: mother’s colostrum and milk. It contains not only antibodies and viable leukocytes, but many other substances that can interfere with bacterial colonization and prevent antigen penetration.

5.  Radosevich JK, et al. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses induced by bovine colostral components. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 46(4):875-8 (1985).  
ABSTRACT:  Transfer factor-type substances obtained from leukocytic cells and fluid portions of bovine colostrum caused effective passive transfer of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses across species barriers. Passive transfer of Brucella abortus sensitivity was obtained when using components derived from colostrum of dams sensitized at 3 and 9 months of age. Colostral feedings to calves caused the passive transfer of delayed-type hypersensitivity as early as 2 days after parturition. The findings indicated that colostral components were important in the process of cell-mediated immunity.

6.  Staroscik,K, et al. Immunologically active nonapeptide fragment of a proline-rich polypeptide from ovine colostrum: amino acid sequence and immuno-regulatory properties. Molecular Immunology 20(12):1277-82 (1983). ABSTRACT:  Small peptide chains in colostrum called proline-rich polypeptides (PRP) have the same ability to regulate the activity of the immune system as the hormones of the thymus gland.  PRP activates an underactive immune system, helping it move into action against disease-causing organisms.  PRP also suppresses an overactive immune system such as is often seen in the autoimmune diseases. PRP is highly anti-inflammatory and also appears to act on T-cell precursors to produce helper T-cells and suppressor T-cells.

7.  Milgrom, H.  Attainments in atopy: special aspects of allergy and IgE.  Advances in Pediatrics 49:273-97 (2002).
ABSTRACT:  Allergy is characterized by elevated levels of specific IgE in the blood, called “atopy”.  Therapy with anti-IgE has shown promise in inhibiting early- and late-phase allergic reactions and asthma.  [Colostrum contains both IgE and IgE-blockers.]

8.  Petzoldt K, von Benten C. (1978). Passive allergisation of calves and lambs due to colostral antibodies. Annales de recherches vétérinaires 9(2):235-8 (1978).
ABSTRACT:  This study demonstrates that newborn calves are passively sensitized by oral intake of maternal anaphylactic antibodies.