An Informative Power point on the Natural Health Alternative to Asthma management and treatment.

1. Asthma and Allergies
Causes and prevention
Asthma and Allergies
Total Health Clinic
Cnr Sauvignon Pde, Brygon Creek Drive
Upper Coomera
Amanda Franzi
Health Coach

2. Topics Covered
• Respiratory Health an Important Health care issue
• Allergic Diseases are now epidemic
• Causes of allergy
• Allergy as an immune response
• The gut connection
• How to avoid triggers and attacks
• Asthma what is it and how to avoid it.
• Natural treatments for the prevention of allergies and asthma

3. Respiratory Health is an
Important healthcare issue
Chronic respiratory diseases are very prevalent in Australia – an
estimated 5.8 million Australian had at least one long term
respiratory condition 2001.
Respiratory diseases are major causes of illness and mortality in
Australia. They place great stresses on the health care system
and are a significant financial burden for the individual and the
community disrupting the daily life and productivity of many
individuals
(Australian institute of health and welfare, Chronic respiratory
diseases in Australia. Their prevalence, consequences and
prevention. August 2008

4. Allergic Diseases are now
Epidemic
• Over the last 50 years the prevalence of diseases such as hay
fever, atopic dermatitis, and allergic asthma has increased
significantly in the developed world.
• Allergic diseases are now epidemic in the most westernized
societies, affecting approximately 20%-30% of their
populations, and ranking first among the causes of chronic
disease in children.
• 1 in 6 now suffer allergies.
• Grammatikos Ap. The genetic and environmental basis of
atopic disease. Ann Med. 2008,4(07)482-95

5. Causes of Allergy
Environmental Factors
Allergen sensitivities
Genetic Factors Having few siblings
Presence of specific HLA alleles Excessive hygiene
Genetic Polymorphisms Receipt of antibiotics in the first
two years of life
Vaccination and prevention of
disease
Atopy
Triggers
Defects in Target Organs Viral infections
Bronchial epithelium Skin Exposure to allergens
Gut Tobacco smoke
Indoor and outdoor pollutants
Th2 mediated allergic inflammation.

6. Signs and symptoms of
allergies
Symptoms of food allergy include
•wheezing
•stomach upsets and
•skin rashes
•Bloating
•Gastrointestinal pain and gas
•Mood and behavioural disturbances
Symptoms of food intolerance are similar to food allergy, but
can be associated with conditions including
•asthma,
•chronic fatigue syndrome and
•irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
•ADD/ADHD

7. The Hygiene Hypothesis
• The prevalence of atopic diseases has increased abruptly in
recent years in most Westernized societies
• The best paradigm available to day to explain this steep rise,
the ‘Hygiene hypotheses’ , supports that it is the excess
cleanliness of out environments that has led to the decline in
the number of infectious stimuli that are necessary for the
proper development of out immune system.
Grammatikos Ap. The genetic and environmental basis of atopic
disease. Ann Med. 2008,4(07)482-95

8. Weak Immune System
Causes
Allergies

9. Allergy as an immunological
disorder
• It is defined as a disease that follows an immune system
response towards an otherwise innocuous antigen (AG) and is
usually equated by the type of hypersensitivity reaction.
• Key Points
• The presence of particular gene variations modifies an individuals
likelihood to develop allergic diseases.
• Exposure to infections during the maturation of a child's immune
response may be crucial to reduce reactivity to innocuous
environmental particles
• More than any specific infection, it is the overall microbial
burden early in life that seems to protect against development of
allergies.

10. Immune Imbalances
contribute to Allergy
• Children are born THelper 2 dominant
• Viral Bacterial and Parasitic infections protective against
allergy, although helmiths induce Th2 response, and virus and
bacteria skew towards Th1 response, the high overall
infection burden seems to be an instrumental factor in the
development of the anti-inflammatory regulatory network.
Instead of the Th1-Th2 dichotomy, a pro-versus anti-
inflammatory T-Cell regulatory axis may be central to the
outcome.
• Meaning that in order to have immune balance we must be
exposed to bacteria and pathogens in order to activate
immune TH1 response. Otherwise over activation of Th2 is
present resulting in allergy response.

11. What Causes a Weak Immune System?
Technology
VS
Environment

12. Obesity Over Cleanliness
Environmen
t
Pollution

13. The gut connection

14. Digestive Enzymes
• What are enzymes?
These are protein like substances, formed in animal and plant cells, that act as catalysts to
initiate or speed up specific chemical reactions and breakdown of proteins within the cells.
We have trillions of enzymes, and as they complete their function they die. Enzymes are in
every cell of our body, performing vital functions every mili-second.
• Where do they come from?
All living cells contain enzymes - they are the "spark of life" in the cells. We are born with a
"bank of enzymes". Although, to some degree, we can replenish enzymes by
manufacturing metabolic enzymes in the liver and digestive enzymes in the pancreas
(primarily for protein digestion), the number of enzymes each cell can produce is limited.
Most of the enzymes needed for digestion should come from food.
• What do enzymes do and why are they so important?
These tiny substances are vital to all cellular activity in our bodies. Your heart, lungs, liver,
eyes, skin, glands, immune system - every organ, tissue and cell in your body are
dependent upon enzymes for every process and function. Enzymes help prevent
degenerative disease, keep us youthful, increase our energy. Digestive enzymes break
down food and insure complete digestion and assimilation of nutrients. When our enzyme
bank is depleted, we die, so we want to be sure they are not wasted.

15. Where do we get them from?
• Protease,
helps digest proteins. Un-digested proteins wind up in circulatory system and other parts of your body.
Food Sources: Broccoli, Figs, Guava, Ginger root, Green plants, Kiwi, Mushrooms, Papaya, Pineapple,
Romaine lettuce, Spinach, Soy bean, Wheat, Kidney beans
• Amylase,
helps digest carbohydrates. Incomplete digestion can cause blood sugar imbalances, allergies, and asthma
Food sources: Banana, Beets (roots, leaves and stems), Cabbage, Reishi mushrooms, Sweet potato
Egg, Maple sap, Milk, Honey, Sugar-cane, Barley, Corn, Oats, Rice, Wheat, Kidney beans
• Lipase,
helps digest fat. Incomplete digestion can lead to clogged arteries causing blood pressure and heart
problems.
Food Sources: Avocado, Coconuts, Corn, Flaxseeds, Raw red meats, Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Wheat
germ ,Rice, Soybeans, Rape seeds
• Cellulase,
Helps break down cellulose (soluble fiber). Helps bind heavy metal and toxins to be expelled out of body
Food Sources. Avocado, Peas, Reishi mushrooms, Oat sprouts,

16. continued
• Maltase,
Helps convert complex sugar found in malt and grain products into glucose
Food Sources: Banana, Beet leaves, Green plants, Brewers' yeast, Mushroom, Sugar-cane, Rice,
• Lactase,
Helps digest lactose found in dairy products
Food Sources. Almonds, Apples, Peaches, Persimmons, Tomatoes, Milk.
• Sucrase,
Helps digest sucrose including table sugar
Food Sources. Cucumbers, Potato, Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Sugar-cane
• Alpha Galatosidase,
Hydrolyzes sugars in beans that ferment and cause gas. This enzyme is in the Bean-o ,Helps prevent gas.
Food Sources: Cucumbers, Sprouted legumes (soy beans, cowpeas)
• Phytase,
Helps digest Phytic acid (Phytate) found in Grains and Seeds releasing phosphorus, calcium and other nutrients

17. Digestive Enzymes and their
influence on allergies
• Different research ex-periments that were performed by Dr. Willstatter as far back as
1929 proved that white blood cells contain eight different types of amylase, protease, and lipase.
He states that "white blood cells provide transportation for enzymes throughout the body".
Antigens, bacteria, yeast, and other toxins enter the body through the digestive tract. They leech
onto food substances we ingest and then multiply prolifi-cally within the body of the immune
system if it is not strong and healthy enough to destroy them.
• Al-lergens (substances causing an allergy) can also en-ter the body simply through the air that we
breathe. Most antigens, bacteria, viruses, and yeasts are proteins. Often the toxins causing
allergies and in-fections are secreted by bacteria that also contain protein substances.
• At this point it should be understood that the body needs a tremendous supply of protease
(protein di-gestive enzymes) to counteract the constant bom-bardment of these proteins to
digest and eliminate them. This digestion of protein is done by enzymes, not only in the digestive
tract, but in the bloodstream itself. Undigested proteins are often found in the bloodstream. If
digestion is not properly accom-plished, undigested substances can be absorbed through the
digestive tract.
• Antigens that cause allergies attach themselves to these proteins in the blood (antigen complex),
deposit in the walls of tiny capillaries and secrete sub-stances that cause inflammations which
result in swellings, sneezing, hayfever, hives, asthma, etc. In order for the body to rid itself of the
allergen, it must be separated from the protein molecule. This is ac-complished by enzymes that
digest the protein and release the allergen so the body can eliminate it via the lymphatic system

18. Digestive Enzymes
• How can enzymes be wasted?
When we eat foods that don't contain digestive enzymes, our body must
use its limited supply of metabolic enzymes to digest our food, for
digestion is the body's main priority
• Digestive enzymes are supposed to come from food. Our bodies cannot
make up for the amount of enzymes needed to digest the average meal.
• Why don't most of our foods contain enzymes?
Cooked, processed and chemical laden foods do not contain enzymes.
Even people who eat healthfully include cooked foods in their diet, for
some foods must be cooked. Also, "live" foods (raw fruits, vegetables,
etc.) that are not organically grown don't contain enough enzymes.
• Not only do many of our foods not contain the necessary digestive
enzymes, they --especially all "junk foods" -- use up an excessive
amount of your metabolic enzymes as your body attempts to digest
these "foodless foods".

19. Digestive Enzymes what if we
don’t have enough?
• What happens when we don't have enough enzymes for
digestion?
We experience digestive problems of all kinds, usually with gas, pain,
allergies and discomfort. Essential nutrients are not assimilated and
lack of nutrients leads to disease. In addition, incomplete digestion
causes toxicity from undigested food particles and toxicity also leads
to disease. Perhaps the most serious result of lack of enzymes and
incomplete digestion is a weakened immune system.
• Many people, who would benefit from taking digestive enzymes, are
taking over-the-counter medicine for digestive disturbances and
what is commonly called "heartburn". These are harmful, and in
fact, until recently, some of the more powerful ones could only be
obtained by prescription. These medicines block the production of
hydrochloric acid, which is essential for the digestion of minerals
and protein. (In addition, hydrochloric acid is our first line of
defence against harmful bacteria…but that's a different
presentation.)

20. Allergic Infants have less
beneficial bacteria
• Infants who develop allergy were less often colonised with
enterococci, bifidobacteria and bacteriodes in their stool
cultures.
• Allergic infants had higher counts of Staphylococcus Aureus
and clostridia counts.
Kim Ds, Drake-Lee AB. Infection, allergy and the hygiene
hypothesis: historical perspective. J Laryngol Otol. 2003 Dec;
117(12):946-50

21. Bacteria, parasites and
microbes
• What are they?
• Bacteria &Yeast
• Microbes & Parasites
• Intestinal Permeability (‘Leaky gut’)
• Inflammation
• Constipation & Diarrhoea
• Food Sensitivities and Allergens

22. Symptoms of a microbial infection
• Headaches, “heavy head,” “heavy-feeling headaches.”
• Alternated periods of mental “fuzziness” and greater
mental clarity.
• Feeling “muggy-headed” or “blah” or sick in the morning.
• Transient malaise, flu-like symptoms.
• Transiently increased fatigue, waxing and waning fatigue,
feeling more tired and sluggish, weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Irritability.
• Sensation of “brain firing: bing, bong, bing, bong,” “brain
moving very fast.”
• Depression, feeling overwhelmed, strong emotions.
• Greater need for “healing naps.”
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes.
• Runny nose, low grade “sniffles,” sneezing, coughing.

23. Bacteria
• What do they do?
• Support immune system, Adsorption of food and nutrients, Reduce
inflammation, inhibit growth of harmful bacteria and pathogens)
• Can they effect brain function?
• Why treating with Antibiotics does not work?
• Signs and symptoms of bacterial infection…
Abnormal stools, fevers that come and go, persistent nasal
congestion or cough, and behaviours that are abnormal

24. Yeast infections (Candida)
• What is yeast?
• What are the symptoms?
Itching, rashes, eczema, abdominal bloating,
increase in flatulence, constipation or diarrhoea,
smelly stool; silly/giddy behavior, aggressive,
stimming, chewing - on anything, low energy,
cravings for bread, pasta and sweets
• Why do we get it?
• How do we treat it?

25. Yeast
• Candida albicans, which lives almost everywhere in the body, is an example of such a
yeast. These yeasts live naturally in the intestinal tract and vaginal areas of animals
and humans. They can take over our whole body if the immune system is
weakened. It is important to realize that yeasts are also protein bodies and can be
digested by enzymes if the body has a proper supply.
• Candida can change form in the human intes-tines. It can remain in a yeast-fungal
form and enter the circulation or develop a root structure that pen-etrates the
intestines, creating a large enough open-ing for other bacteria, antigens, and
undigested pro-tein to enter. These other substances that enter are a major cause of
allergies, anxiety, fatigue, digestive disturbances, vaginitis, cystitis, menstrual
problems, and migraine headaches. This is the reason for the similar approach in
treating both candida and aller-gies.

26. Parasites
• What is a parasite?
• Where do we get them from?
• Signs and Symptoms of a parasitic infection…
Allergies, Headaches, Anxiety, Depression, Comprehension difficulty,
Brain Fog, Gas and bloating, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Foul smelling
stools, Chronic fatigue, low energy or
hyperactivity, Flu symptoms,
fever and aches, Poor Immune function,
Sleep disturbances,
Grinding teeth at night,
Vision problems, Anaemia,
Eczema, Rashes and itchy
back passage, Allergies, Weight gain or loss

27. Damaged Intestinal Villi

28. Leaky gut causes chronic
inflammation

29. Hypochlorhydria (Low Hydrochloric
acid)
• Hypochlorhydria is the lack of adequate stomach acid
(hydrochloric acid) production
• Insufficient stomach acid also causes absorption of partially
digested food molecules, leading to food sensitivities.
• Low stomach acid increases the overgrowth of pathogens in
the lower intestine.
• Malabsorbtion of minerals vitamins and amino acids and
increases the chances of food sensitivities.

30. Hydrochloric Acid what impact
does it have?
• Hydrochloric acid helps break down proteins and also plays an
important role in signalling to the pancreas to release
digestive enzymes and bicarbonate.
• HCl helps sterilize stomach contents so that bad bacteria
cannot hitch a ride into the small intestine for invasive and
destructive colonization.
• Plenty of folks over 40 or 50 have insufficient HCl for
digestion; heartburn is often linked to low HCl levels and over-
the-counter medicines only address the symptom and not the
root cause and can lead to poor digestion, dysbiosis, leaky gut
and allergies.

31. Symptoms/signs of stomach acid
deficiency?
 Stomach aching/pain/discomfort or  Multiple food sensitivities
bloating after meals
 Trouble digesting red meat
 Feel unwell/fatigued right after meals
 Constipation
 Food or water 'sits in stomach'
 Low iron levels
 High fat foods cause nausea/stomach
upset
 Frequent nausea
 Undigested food in stool
 Nausea/reflux after supplements
 Reflux &/or heartburn (e.g. fish oil)
 Poor appetite or feel overly full easily  Burping after meals

32. What is Asthma ?
 Chronic inflammatory disorder of the medium and small airways.
 These airways are hypersensitive to certain “triggers” in the environment.
 Intermittent and recurrent episodes of...
 Wheezing
 Shortness of breath
 Chest tightness
 Cough - night, early morning
 Usually reversible
 Asthma cannot be cured but its symptoms can be controlled with proper environmental
changes and medication.

33. What causes an Asthma Attack ?
• An allergic reaction to
triggers or exposures
• Airways swell and fill with
mucus and secretions
• The muscles around the
airways contract and spasm
• Airways can collapse,
causing classic symptoms,
even death

34. The facts about Asthma
• Most common chronic childhood disease, affecting
about 5 million children (6% of children under 18)
• 14 people die each day from asthma
• Nearly 2 million emergency room visits each year
• Asthma is not curable but is preventable

35. Histamine and Leukotrienes
are key mediators of asthma
• Histamine is an important protein involved in many allergic reactions.
Allergies are caused by an immune response to a normally innocuous
substance (i.e. pollen, dust) that comes in contact with lymphocytes
which stimulates TH2 immune response to release histamine. Histamine
acts very quickly and stimulates bronchoconstriction and excess mucus
production.
• Histamine, along with other chemicals, causes the contraction of
smooth muscle (Schmidt et al 1999). Consequently, the muscles
surrounding the airways constrict causing shortness of breath and
possibly complete trachial-closure, an obviously life-threatening
condition.
• If the effects of histamine during an allergic reaction are inhibited, the
life of an allergic person can be eased (in the case of inflammation) or
even saved by preventing or shortening asthma attacks.
• One of the best ways to reduce histamine over production is Vit C

36. Indoor air Triggers
• Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
• Cockroaches
• Dust mites
• Animal dander
• Mold, mildew
• Strong scented products (perfumes, scented cleaners)

37. Why indoor air is Important
• All of the common asthma triggers are found indoors
• We spend about 90% time indoors
• Reducing exposure to indoor allergens and irritants
can reduce asthma symptoms
• Prevention is an important asthma management tool

38. Secondhand Smoke
• Contains more than 4,000 substances (over 40 are
carcinogenic)
• Is particularly harmful to young children
• Can trigger asthma attacks and cause young children to
develop asthma

39. Dust Mites
• Found in most homes
• Live in soft bedding
• Feed on skin flakes
• Mites and mite droppings can
be asthma triggers
• Most common asthma trigger
in adults and kids

40. Pets
• Skin flakes, urine and saliva of warm blooded animals can be
asthma triggers.
• Triggers can remain in the home for several months after a
pet is removed, even with cleaning.

41. Molds
• Can be found almost
anywhere.
• Key to mold control is
moisture control.
• Clean up the mold and get
rid of excess water or
moisture, this also helps
reduce other triggers, such
as dust mites and
cockroaches.

42. Cockroaches and other Pests
• Droppings or body parts can be
asthma triggers.
• Cockroaches likely contribute
significantly to asthma problems
in inner city area.
• Asthmatic children allergic to
cockroaches are three times more
likely to be hospitalized if exposed
in the home.

43. Outdoor air Triggers
• Ozone
• Particulate matter
• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen dioxide - vehicle exhaust
• Outdoor pollens and mold

44. Additional Triggers
• Viral upper respiratory
infections
• Exercise
• Dietary sensitivities
• Aggravating conditions -
gastric reflux, sinusitis,
rhinitis
• Diet, medication
• Cold air
• Changes in weather
• Menstrual cycle, pregnancy

45. Management of Asthma
Asthma is one
condition that,
when treated with
timely and
effective regular
outpatient care,
prevents
hospitalization and
ED visits.

46. Managing Asthma
Consult with a physician or alternative health
practitioner to develop an asthma
management plan, which includes:
• Medication
• Education: identification of asthma triggers &
ways to reduce/avoid exposure to your
asthma triggers
• Peak flow monitoring
• Emergency plan

47. Goals of asthma Management
• Control chronic asthma symptoms and asthma attacks during
the day and night
• no sleep disruption due to asthma
• no missed school or work because of asthma
• no or minimal need for emergency care or hospitalizations
• Avoid attacks or exacerbations
• Maintaining normal activity levels, including exercise and other
daily activities
• Having normal or near-normal lung function
• Avoid side-effects of medications
• Prevent asthma mortality

48. Avoiding secondhand Smoke
Choose not to smoke in your home
or car and do not allow others to
do so either.

49. Avoiding dust Mites
• Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water
• Choose washable stuffed toys-- keep stuffed toys off beds
• Cover mattresses and pillows
• Vacuum often (when asthmatic is not present)
• Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50%

50. Avoiding pet Triggers
• Consider keeping pets outdoors or even finding a new home
for your pets, if necessary.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom at all times.
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets, and
stuffed toys.

51. Avoiding mold Triggers
• Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely,
absorbent materials (ceiling tiles and carpet) may need
to be replaced.
• Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and
bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the
dishwasher.
• Maintain low indoor humidity (between 30-50% relative
humidity).
• Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
• Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator, and
dehumidifier clean and dry
• Clean bathrooms frequently with non caustic products

52. Pest Avoidance
 Free your home of places for pests to
hide and sources of food and water
 Regular, careful cleaning - kitchen
 Daily trash removal
 Store food in airtight containers
 Extermination - baits, gels (not sprays)

53. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) Meters
Allows the
patient to
assess the
status of his
or her asthma

54. Peak flow Chart
People with moderate
or severe asthma
should take readings—
 Every morning and
evening
 After an
exacerbation
 Before inhaling
certain medications
Source: “What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma” by the Global Initiative For Asthma
Created and funded by NIH/NHLBI

55. Nutritional deficiencies common in
asthma
• Magnesium deficiency is a common electrolyte
disorder in patients with acute asthma. There
are some data suggestion lower levels of Mg2+
in asthmatic patients compared to non-
asthmatics.
• Fish oils reduce airway inflammation and the
severity of exercise induced bronchoconstriction
with a concomitant decrease in bronchodilator
use.
• Vit D is an immune modulator, immune induced
asthma has been shown to decrease with the
use of Vit D in children suffering from Low Vit D.

56. Conclusions
• Asthma affects 5-10% of the population and the prevalence is
rising in developed countries.
• Allergies often play a key role in asthma and act as triggers for
asthma symptoms.
• The gut and its function plays a key role in allergies that may
affect asthma
• Deficiencies in specific enzymes may also play a key role in the
development of allergies and asthma related effects.
• Asthma can not be cured but can usually be well controlled in
most people.
• Controlling asthma involves patient education, lung function
monitoring, avoidance of triggers, and in many, medications
and dietary correction.

57. Thank you - Any Questions?
Amanda Franzi