One of the most amazing life experiences is the witnessing of a natural birth. However, as awesome as the experience is, as a witness or active participant, necessary biologic processes are happening to supply this new human with a proper balanced immune system. Immunity begins to develop during the 14th week of gestation, as undifferentiated developing immune cells, which later become major cells of a human’s immune system, with specific and necessary function. The placenta, provides nourishment for the baby, also secretes hormones, primarily progesterone, which shifts mom’s chemical profile away from Th1 (offers protection to pathogens that pose a threat to get inside of cells) and towards Th2 (response offers protection against pathogens outside of cells). The baby then will trigger his/her increase in Th1 when travelling through the birth canal and swallowing, sitting and slipping through on its earth side voyage. The development of the Th1 mechanism is continued during breastfeeding, for which the “World Health Organization” recommends at least 2 years, to glean all the necessary immunologic benefits for the baby. Continued, through childhood with encounters from viruses and bacteria help build this individualized Th1 response to properly enhance the child’s immune system. If at birth immunity is skewed toward Th2, for such reasons as a c- section, multiple exposures to antibiotics in utero or mother receiving passive immunity exposure, breastfeeding is interrupted or cut short; Th2 is accelerated and can predispose a baby toward eczema. If the baby is prone toward a Th2 response, as they were unable to develop a proper microbiome, allergies and asthma may also develop.
The answer to the triggers for these conditions may be found in the gut bacteria that babies are gifted on their way down the birth canal. Since we know, One third of all antibiotic prescriptions given to children are unnecessary (according to medical research). Antibiotics are well reported to disrupt a child’s gut microbiome in ways that a growing amount of evidence suggests may have long-term consequences, including asthma, allergies, and eczema.
Balancing gut bacteria with proper diet free of chemicals, processed foods, irritants and GMOs help balance the biome. Identifying triggers and reducing or eliminating passive immunity can also help improve these conditions. When a body is inclined toward a Th2 response, the cells will “over react”, with an inflammation response. Passive immunity such as vaccination bypasses the Gut and triggers this over response in the blood stream. This compounds the “inflammation” cascade and revs up the immune system in an “autoimmune” fashion creating a global multi-faceted reaction that will prone the body toward constant “reaction” as seen in eczema, allergies and asthma.
Common treatment for these conditions usually includes antibiotics and steroids. Both modalities cause “stress” in the body, and since stress and stress hormones can elevate inflammation, they are intimately related.
It is so important to get VERY far away from “the new ‘NORMAL’ IS ‘SICK’” and get back to Health for our kids’ sake!!
Some easy tips to get started on healing the gut and rebuilding your microbiome are:
Eliminate inflammatory chemicals in your environment; start with anything with a scent and replace them with non-toxic bio degradable choices
Eliminate inflammatory foods such as Dairy, Wheat, Corn, Soy; these are the most common food triggers associated with asthma, allergies, and eczema Jump Start Healing Diet’s here
Eliminate GMOs; these chemicals are not digested or assimilated well in a healthy gut, worse for one that needs healing
Use only products you can eat on your skin, like coconut oil, avocado or shea butter for example
Make sure Lab work is normal, check immune markers, MTHFR status, stress hormones, vitamin and mineral levels; all of which play into the inflammation cycle.
Remember there is no one size fits all approach; every child is different and every healing process is different
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2015.04.006
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684040/
this information is never to replace the advise of a qualified medical provider. Consult your physician before making any changes to your healing regime