How Imbalanced Gut Bacteria Can Trigger Allergies and Asthma

Your gut does more than just digest and absorb nutrients; it's also the control center for your immune system. 

When the balance of bacteria tips (a condition known as dysbiosis) it can cause a chain reaction leading to allergies and asthma. This imbalance disrupts the gut-lung connection, intensifying allergic responses and asthma symptoms. 

Understanding this link is crucial for managing these conditions effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Your gut influences much of your immune system, impacting allergies and asthma.
• Imbalanced gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can lead to overactive immune responses, causing allergies.
• Factors like antibiotics, poor diet, and stress disrupt gut bacteria balance.
• Using probiotics can help to restore gut balance, reducing allergic and asthma symptoms.

What is Dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis, to put it simply, is microbial imbalance in your gut. Your gut is home to a vibrant community of microorganisms. Under normal circumstances, this community thrives, with each bacterium and yeast playing its part. A healthy balance between these microorganisms is key. 

What happens when this balance is disrupted? That’s dysbiosis—where bad microbes outnumber the good ones. Dysbiosis can lead to all sorts of health issues, including allergies and asthma.

Causes of Dysbiosis

The causes of dysbiosis are varied, but we can narrow it down to three main factors: Antibiotics, diet, and stress and lifestyle.

• Antibiotics, while great for fighting infections, can do lasting damage to your microbial balance. 
• Diet plays a role too—processed foods, high sugar intake, and low fiber create a hostile environment for good bacteria. 
• Stress, pollution, and even lack of sleep are also contributory factors.

How Does Dysbiosis Affect Allergic Response?

When dysbiosis sets in, your immune system can malfunction. The presence of harmful bacteria causes the immune system to overreact to harmless substances, like pollen or food proteins. Imagine a faulty alarm system going off every time a leaf falls on your lawn. This overreaction is what we recognize as allergies.

Impact of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

Short-Chain Fatty Acids play a key role in modulating immune response. Produced by good bacteria during fiber fermentation, SCFAs help to calm the immune system down. 

When dysbiosis reduces the production of SCFAs, it essentially removes what keeps your immune system from overreacting. When this happens, it leads to inflammation and increased allergic responses. 

Gut Imbalance and Asthma Symptoms

Asthma isn’t just about wheezing and shortness of breath. It is often reflective of a deeper issue linked to gut health. 

Dysbiosis can alter immune response, making the lungs more sensitive to allergens. The protective mucosal lining gets damaged, making it easier for allergens to trigger asthma attacks.

How Dysbiosis Worsens Asthma

Most people don’t know that the gut and lungs are constantly in communication. This gut-lung axis means that problems in your gut can show up in your lungs. 

Dysbiosis disrupts this gut-lung axis, leading to an increase in pro-inflammatory cells and a decrease in regulatory cells. This tips the scale in favor of inflammation. 

Not all inflammation is bad. Inflammation is necessary in a healthy, functioning body. However, dysbiosis means that even when the body doesn’t need an inflammatory reaction, it is still triggered.

The imbalance can make asthma symptoms worse, more frequent, and harder to control. 

How Probiotics Can Help with Allergies and Asthma

Probiotics maintain balance in your gut, making sure that beneficial bacteria flourish and harmful pathogens don't get out of hand. The bad microbes might still be there, but they are controlled. 

By restoring this balance, probiotics can reduce the inflammation that often causes allergies and asthma. It's not just about popping a pill, though. Different strains of probiotics bring different benefits, especially when targeting allergies and asthma.

Best Probiotics for Allergies & Asthma According to Science

Let's spotlight some of the most effective strains backed by science.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus helps to modulate the body's immune responses, making it less likely to overreact to common allergens. It's known to support production of compounds that regulate your immunity, lowering the risk of allergic reactions.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus 

Studies show that L. rhamnosus can increase the number of symptom-free days in asthma sufferers. It might even reduce the likelihood of developing new allergies altogether. How? By enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory substances and supporting the gut’s barrier function.

Bifidobacterium infantis

By modulating the body’s immune response, B. infantis reduces the impact of asthma symptoms. In one study, asthmatic adults who took this strain showed significant improvement in asthma control. The researchers also noted the strain was more effective in patients with uncontrolled asthma at the start, seeing improvements in just a few weeks.

Bifidobacterium breve

Bifidobacterium breve has been shown to improve respiratory health, making it a great supplement if you’re struggling with asthma. By supporting a balanced gut microbiome, it reduces the frequency and severity of allergies, offering an extra layer of protection against external triggers.

Streptococcus thermophilus

Streptococcus thermophilus is known for its role in lowering the rate of respiratory infections, common triggers for asthma attacks.

Experts found that a multi-strain probiotic which included S. thermophilus, similar to Balance ONE, effectively reduced the use of bronchodilators in children.

Final Thoughts

Your gut health is more than a digestive issue—it’s a reflective of your overall wellness. It influences everything from your immune responses to your respiratory health. Incorporating the right probiotic into your routine can help to maintain the delicate balance of your gut microbiome, potentially reducing the risk and severity of allergies and asthma. 

FAQs

How to Heal the Gut for Allergies?

Gut healing starts with diet, particularly prebiotics. You can also add probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve in your diet. Focus on fiber-rich foods, fermented products, and work on reducing stress—your gut’s worst enemy.

Can Gut Bacteria Cause Histamine Intolerance?

Yes. An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to increased histamine production, triggering symptoms like headaches, rashes, or digestive issues.

Is Hay Fever Linked to Gut Health?

Absolutely. A healthy, well-balanced gut supports healthy immune responses, which may reduce hay fever symptoms by promoting a balanced reaction to allergens.

What Probiotics Are Good for Your Lungs?

Probiotics like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium infantis have shown promise in improving lung health by reducing inflammation and enhancing respiratory function.