Skip to main content

Mold / Antibiotics Linked to Asthma, Allergies

 


If allergies are making your life unbearable, it could be the microbes in your gut. 

Typically a healthy body can resist pathogenic attacks on a daily basis. When we have chronic symptoms such as allergies, our body is telling us there is a problem. 

I hear this following statement from people all the time in regards to allergies and their habitual use of OTC allergy medications "my doctor said I'm just more susceptible to pollen" But why? Why is your condition now chronic?

The Study

Scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School presented findings from studies involving mold and laboratory mice. Results showed that antibiotics might be responsible for producing changes in microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn could impact the way the immune system responds to common allergens in the lungs. 

They claim antibiotic use eliminated bacteria in the gut, which enabled fungi to take control until the bacteria grew back after antibiotics use was discontinued.When we inhale mold spores they become trapped in saliva and mucus which in turn enter the stomach when we swallow.Scientists found that fungi produced oxylipins, which are molecules that could determine the kind and severity level of immune responses. This supported the idea that fungal oxylipins in the GI tract helped avoid the production of regulatory T cells for ingested allergens. This caused T cells in the respiratory system to become susceptible to common allergens such as mold spores and pollen. It becomes a vicious cycle.

These factors combined result in a hyperactive immune response, which could result in allergy symptoms and in some cases asthma. This hypothesis was tested on mice who were administered oral antibiotics for five days and then given one oral introduction of the yeast called Candida albicans, which was used to reproduce a steady group of microbes in both the gastrointestinal system and intestines.  

Findings from the study: 

The mice were injected with common mold spores two days after the antibiotics were stopped and possible allergic side effects were evaluated with both groups of mice, those that were given the antibiotic and those that were not. The mice that were given antibiotics and exposed to C. albicans displayed higher rates of pulmonary hypersensitivity to A. fumigatus as opposed to the mice that weren't given any antibiotics. Based on these findings, researchers concluded the changes to both the growth of bacteria and fungi within the GI tract disrupted the function of the regulatory T cells to lessen the immune system reaction to respiratory allergens. 

Researchers expressed hope that by learning how microflora in the GI tract which impact the immune system might hold the key to treating allergies. Can we regulate the microbes in our gut with dietary changes, probiotics, dietary supplements which are responsible for producing "healthy" bacteria? 

 Researchers also stressed the importance of following a clean healthy diet complete with an abundance of raw fruits and vegetables after taking antibiotics as a way to speed up the process of bringing the beneficial microbes in the GI tract back to healthy level.

Be good to yourself, your body. Using positive reinforcement, encourage those around you to adopt a healthy lifestyle and diet. Remember you are what you eat.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mycotoxic (Fungus) Moldy Foods - Top 10 List

  This post is directed towards food concerns as related to mold. Mold is in our air, it plays a beneficial role in our ecosystem. We need mold, but do we need it in our food?  Let this sink in - We cannot always control if we have mycotoxins in our food, we can control what foods we eat.  If you think mold may be contributing to your health related issues, it's time to start thinking about your diet.  Consuming any mycotoxin is never a good idea, so a diet consisting of foods with a higher probability of containing mycotoxins would not be considered wise.  You are what you eat, never forget it! Now to get a bit more clinical. Definition of Mycotoxic - Pertaining to or emanating from a mycotoxin.  Definition of Mycotoxin - Mycotoxin (from the Greek word (mykes) "fungus")  Definition of Toxin - From the Greek word toxikon, lit. (poison) is a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms.  Mycotoxins cause a wide range of health problems in humans when we ar

Antiques, Mold and Cross Contamination

  Don't Bring Them into Your Home! Unfortunately we see this too often in homes. The home owner or professional interior decorator finds an antique piece of furniture and brings it into the home. Unfortunately most of the time the item is mold-infected, hence introducing mold into a home  Every antique store I have ever visited has that old-musty smell. Well, there is a reason for that...it's mold. Often these antique pieces are neglected,  improperly stored in basements, garages or other areas before they are put in the showroom.  Material Considerations The most common materials of concern are wood and cloth followed by leather. Often times you will see growth on the wood and leather surfaces, but it's much harder to detect on/in cloth. The fabric of furniture including the padding were often made from organic material making them susceptible to mold harboring and growth.  Inspection Before you buy an item from an antique shop, have the salesperson help you inspect the it

Happy 2023 - Updates!

  2023 Woohoo! A few points. * Blog Reminder - This blog was and is still intended for the layperson, the average Jane. I try my best to relay information in a simple manner and with terminology 99% of the population can comprehend. This is not meant to be a scientific journal. This year I decided to open the comment section of this blog to allow people to share information and interact with the hopes it will amplify the beneficial nature of this blog. * Be Kind - Let's not forget we all share this world and we have to be mindful of everyone's opinion and beliefs. Being kind! * SARS / COVID 19 - You have probably noticed I have stayed clear of making any update posts related to the "pandemic". The topic is now way too toxic and political. We conduct our business and write content for this blog using scientific information based on facts. In this new world, opinions have become facts and everyone has an opinion. I'm damned if I give facts or my opinion, so I'