We live in the era where we can order food from anywhere in the world with one click and communicate in real time with anyone. Everywhere. Yet, there is a little inconvenience that is gaining ground: allergies.
Our ultra-modern life, with all its conveniences, seems to have started a silent revolt within our bodies. But what is really happening in our immune system?
Allergies: when "modernity" makes you sensitive
An estimated 235 million people worldwide suffer from asthma, and anywhere from 240 to 550 million people globally may suffer from food allergies. Drug allergy can affect up to 10% of the world's population.
Theories about why of this proliferation There are many allergies. One of these points to the antibiotics that the latest generations received during childhood: a theory that, although not universally accepted, has gained ground in recent years.
“Modernity” has brought with it countless benefits, but also new challenges. Excessive use of antibiotics, exposure to chemicals, the western diet: Even the way we come into the world could influence our gut microbiome, the collection of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in our intestines.
Our protective shield
"microbiome” is not just a buzzword in the world of health: this ecosystem of microorganisms plays a crucial role in our health, protecting us from many diseases. But when this balance is altered, it can lead to a variety of problems, including allergies.
Research has shown that a healthy microbiome can also protect against allergies, while an imbalanced microbiome can increase the risk.
If you think allergies are just a human problem, think again. Even our beloved pets suffer from allergies: it is proof that allergies are a wider problem, linked to our environment and our modern lifestyle.
Allergies and the environment, an inevitable link
Of course, genetics play a role in allergies, but the environment we live in also has a significant impact. Pollution, climate change and what we eat, as mentioned, can influence our immune system and our reaction to allergens.
The doctor Catherine Nagler is a leading figure in the world of allergy research. With a career dedicated to the study of the immune system and the gut microbiome, Nagler has proposed bold and innovative theories that I can summarize in points (if you want a more extensive discussion find a wonderful little article, very well done, at this address).
- Birth: Nagler suggests that delivery method can influence a newborn's microbiome. Babies born via cesarean delivery may not be exposed to the beneficial bacteria found in the birth canal, thereby affecting the makeup of their gut microbiome and potentially increasing their risk of allergies.
- Feeding time: Breastfeeding provides infants not only with essential nutrients, but also with beneficial bacteria that can help establish a healthy gut microbiome. Nagler believes that breastfeeding may play a protective role against the development of allergies.
- Antibiotics: Excessive or inappropriate use of antibiotics, especially during childhood, can alter the gut microbiome, eliminating beneficial bacteria and allowing potentially harmful strains to proliferate. This imbalance can compromise the immune system and increase the risk of allergies.
- Modern Diet: The Western diet, high in processed foods and low in fiber and fermented foods, can negatively affect the microbiome. Nagler suggests that a diet that doesn't adequately nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut can contribute to increased allergies.
- Exposure to Microbes: Hygiene theory suggests that exposure to a wide variety of microbes during childhood can strengthen the immune system. Nagler believes that modern life, with its excessive cleanliness and less exposure to natural bacteria, may reduce this important exposure, influencing the risk of allergies.
These ideas, while still being studied and discussed, could revolutionize the way we approach and treat allergies in the future.
A little hope, poffacacco
Although allergies are on the rise, there is also a growing understanding of what causes them and how to treat them. Research is exploring new ways to restore our microbiome, reduce exposure to allergens and even “reprogram” our immune system. There is hope on the horizon.
Allergies are a wake-up call, a sign that something in our environment and in our body is wrong. But with awareness, education and research, we can address this challenge. It's time to take them seriously and work together to create a future where everyone can live without fear.
