The sources of your allergies can be hard to identify, and what is hard to identify can be impossible to treat. Allergies normally come from abnormalities in your immune system, and beneficial bacteria in the intestines play a major role in keeping your immune system working up to par. About 85% of your immune system is located in the intestinal area, so keeping a digestive tract that is healthy is vital. A healthy diet will help to heal the intestines from any leakage that may come from toxins and nutritional problems through poor diet.
Gut flora is a term we use for the complex of microorganisms that live in our intestinal tract, or gut. Many health experts think that gut flora is an overlooked component of health, as these tiny organisms play a significant role in if we stay healthy. But when we use the term we have to understand that there is both good and bad gut flora. Having a greater understanding of how to produce more good bacteria to defend our system against the bad is what we will talk about on our site.
The bacteria in our intestines will protect the lining in our intestines from breaking down, as gut flora plays a major role in protecting it. Without that protection the gut lining can deteriorate, causing small lesions that allow undigested food to leak through the gaps in the intestinal walls. This undigested or partially digested food is unrecognized by the immune system and attacks them. This results in all sorts of immune responses in the form of allergic reactions.
The objective with our diet is to make sure the intestinal walls are healthy and sealed tight, not allowing the allergy-causing triggers to escape until they are absorbed at the right time into the bloodstream. Let us suggest four categories of foods.
1. The Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat that is believed to reduce belly fat in many people. Olive oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet. Too much extra weight in the stomach area puts additional pressure on the entire stomach area, causing stress that can result in damage to the walls of the intestines. Other foods that help in this area, if taken in moderation, include avocados, nuts and seeds (particularly flaxseeds, walnuts and sunflower seeds), dark chocolate and olives.
2. Foods that soothe the stomach. Oatmeal perhaps tops the list, as it is known as a demulcent because it becomes slippery when wet and soothes and coats the stomach. Other foods that relax and soothe the digestive track are cinnamon, cumin, ginger, mint, caraway and fennel.
3. Feed your gut good bacteria. The key word here is probiotics, which are different types of healthy bacteria. Fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso do the trick, as well as fermented vegetables, which are increasingly becoming a large part of a healthy diet for many people. Also, look for foods that are natural probiotics and also contain soluble fiber like garlic, honey, onions and bananas.
4. Fiber rich foods. Fiber is important for overall digestive health, and eating a variety of fiber is vital for optimum digestion. All types of vegetables, many fruits but particularly citrus, whole grains and wheat bran are especially good sources. Just be sure to drink plenty of water for the fiber can work its magic the best.
